Viola Lessons in Woodhaven, NY

Instruments: Violin Viola

I first discovered my love of teaching in college, more than 10 years ago. Since then, I have made it my mission to make learning informative, engaging, and fun. It is important to encourage regular and consistent practice time during the week in between lessons so we can use our lesson time most productively and make your learning experience more enjoyable. My students are encouraged to participate in recitals and competitions to give them a goal to work towards, help keep them motivated, and give them a way to measure their progress and accomplishments.  Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

I believe in teaching fundamental principles of technique that can be applied universally, and I encourage students to focus on one basic idea at a time. Scales, arpeggios, etudes and other exercises are an important part of daily practice, reinforced by weekly technique classes. In the study of technique, it is critical that students set attainable goals for themselves, and I help them to organize their practice time with this in mind. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

My approach to teaching is to share my love for music with my students. I will allow students to go at their own pace, and set realistic goals and expectations. I like to focus on intonation heavily, as anything other than excellent intonation is not good playing, in the words of a former instructor. I also encourage creative expression in my students, and will often ask them to try different methods of playing a single phrase in order to increase the depth of their musicality. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I cater the lessons towards the individual needs of the students.  For beginning students 6 years old and under, I prefer to use Shirley Givens' books, "Adventures In Violinland", along with Suzuki materials through rote memorization.  When the student is 5 or 6 years old or older, I like to use Suzuki materials but supplement with note reading right away.  Also, I love it when a student brings a specific piece of music in that they would like to play, whether it is from the classical repertoire, or jazz, pop, etc. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I will vary my methods based on the individual student. For students between 3 and 7, I will use the Suzuki method, which in my experience is best for students of that age. For beginners after that, I will use method books and repertoire that not only addresses the students technical and musical development at that point in time, but is also fun and enjoyable to play. I encourage students to play in their school or community orchestra and will assist and encourage students to play in chamber ensembles. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

When working with younger children, I typically begin with the Suzuki method in order to establish strong musical and technical fundamentals. The Suzuki curriculum is also popular across many music programs in New York, so it provides beginning violinists an opportunity to play music with their peers. For adolescents and adults, I place an earlier emphasis on designing a curriculum based on their musical interests, with equal focus devoted to technique. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I'm a musician and writer based in Uptown with 16 years of experience playing Violin and Viola. I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2018 and have studied Viola with Ronald Houston, currently teaching at Southern Methodist University, and Doyle Armbrust of the Spektral Quartet. I am currently a member of the Chelsea Symphony, was formerly the principal Violist of the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and I'm a former fellow with the National Symphony Orchestra's summer festival in Washington, D.C. Read More