Viola Lessons in Winter Haven, FL

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

For any student, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements series. This method book will help teach the basic fundamentals needed to progress on the instrument. For children, I will continue through the method book series while supplementing it with short popular pieces that may be of interest to the student. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep it fun and enjoyable. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I began offering private string lessons in College during summers in Florida. I taught private string lessons. Further into my education I took internships in music therapy working with many different populations. I gave therapeutic music lessons to patients in hospitals like Massachusetts General Hospital, Worcester Recovery Center and McLean Hospital. There I ventured into teaching guitar and voice. At Berklee College of Music, I worked with young children during our city's Beantown Jazz fest to help introduce them to new instruments. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Fiddle Double Bass Music Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For violin, viola, cello and bass, I teach the Suzuki method. The Suzuki method is based strongly on memory and takes a systematic approach to introducing music of increasing difficulty. For classical guitar, I start off with the Frederick Noad system, "Solo Guitar Playing", and scales. As skill level increases, I assign more etudes and standard guitar repertoire. For acoustic guitar, I teach almost exclusively finger-picking. I teach the same high standard skills for acoustic guitar that I teach for classical, but concentrate on masterpieces of the repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Synthesizer Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I was viola section leader during three of my four years at Gaither High School, inspired to pursue music by my orchestra teacher Heather Grier (world-renowned violinist and friend of Andrea Bocceli). After graduating, I attended Hillsborough Community College as a music major, and I landed my first teaching job at Excel Music as a substitute teacher. I was asked to stay as a full time teacher, and thus I began my career in music education. 2009 - 2014: Excel Music, Strings Teacher 2014 - 2015: Hillsborough County Public Schools, Substitute Music Teacher 2015: Westshore Elementary School, Music Teacher 2015-2016: Sam Ash Clearwater, Private Lessons Teacher 2018-2025: Westchase Music School, Music Teacher, Music Theory Lab Manager, Assistant Director 2026-present: Music & Arts Brandon, Music Teacher Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I really covered this in the above information,so continuing in more detail,it really depends on each individual student,their level of ability and age that determine the course of study.It also depends on the instrument.Some instruments like piano,violin or viola,books are more practical because the music is notated.With most fretted instruments,music is written in tableture which was originally used for the lute and brought back i think in the 1970s.Its easier than reading music and is more practical for those instruments. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass

I believe each student is different. Therefor, lessons should differ depending on each students particular needs, taste in music, and age. I would never treat an adult student like I would a young student and vice versa. I always try to set weekly goals with each of my students in order for them to have something to work towards on a consistent basis. If my students don't reach their weekly goal I simply have a little bit of a review with them in the beginning of the lesson and then proceed with that weeks work. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I like to begin the first lesson by recognizing the students strengths by having them show me what they can accomplish on their own. There are specific books that I like to teach out of depending on the skill level so that needs to be addressed during the first lesson. Recognizing and building on strengths to me should come before criticising weaknesses. Those will be addressed as they come along and exercises with scales and etudes will be chosen for those weaknesses, but that does not mean that challenging music needs to be played each and every time so that the student has to struggle for greatness. Read More