Viola Lessons Butler County, PA

Instruments: Violin, Viola, Music

There is nothing more gratifying for me than seeing my students grow on their instruments, develop knowledge, and improve the way they play the violin. I try to encourage them as much as possible, and I try to make them feel committed to the practice of the instrument as a fun activity for them. I set realistic goals for the short and long term, based on their needs, that way they can accomplish those goals and see progress. Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola

I have been teaching violin and viola for the last 10 years. My students have ranged from 4 thru 25 years of age. I love teaching the violin and viola to students who desire to learn the instruments regardless of their goals for the instrument. I strive to keep my students motivated, and if the student is bored with what is being taught I find something to inspire them. I, however, do not teach students that are unwilling practice. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Violin, Viola, Recorder

For my youngest students, age 7 and under, I begin with Adventures in Violinland, a wonderful method written by Shirley Givens, instructor at Peabody Preperatory. This teaches note reading with a solfegg system. It has a strong emphasis on technique. For beginners ages 8 and up, I use either Essential Elements or Sound Innovations, usually matching it with whatever the school district uses that the student lives in. As the students progress, I use the Suzuki repertoire as well as various scale and technique books. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Voice, Violin, Cello, Viola, Electric Violin, Keyboard

My life is unimaginable to me without music. As a music major, I began performing and gigging. I discovered that I enjoyed playing not only classical music, but musicals, pop, and rock as well. Nearer to graduation, I began teaching privately, eventually becoming a full-time public school orchestra teacher in Augusta. I moved to Pittsburgh in 2011, where I happily continue my career as a string/voice/keys teacher, and performer primarily on voice, violin, and cello with Midnight Vinyl Duet. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Keyboard

Excellent, nurturing Suzuki violin pedagogy - treating music as a mother tongue to absorb, imitate, and engage with - informs my methods for beginning and intermediate students. Gradually, as the student shows readiness, we blend in the traditional yet humane study of expert violin playing and thoughtful musicianship modeled for me in Dorothy DeLay's masterclass. As distinct from many string players, I am also a devoted and accomplished singer. So breathing, posture, phrasing, color, line, and articulation are key to my approaches to making and teaching music, and thus to helping my students x22singx22 through their playing. Read More