Violin Lessons in Benicia, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students, we always start with how to hold the instrument, parts of the instrument and string names, and then begin playing open strings. This may take a few lessons. Placing the left hand fingers is usually the last step before playing an A scale and then Twinkle. Setting a foundation is more important than going quickly, so many of my students spend a number of months on Twinkle before starting to move more quickly with Lightly Row. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Music

I've developed my own methodology, combining the means offered by the finest violin schools and all the alternative, related disciplines such as Alexander Technique, Yoga, and Meditation working all together towards the importance of knowledge of our body, awareness of the self, need for enjoyment and educational relationship centered on student needs. I'm looking to transmit all my knowledge as I'm confident it would optimize and benefit your performance, health, wellbeing and teaching skills by integrating body, mind, emotions and instrument into one-a balanced and fulfilled artist. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I have been playing for over 11 years now. I began when I was in the 2nd grade and havent stopped it, I fell in love with it!! When I started middle school, my teacher from orchestra asked me to go into her class after my class with her and help out with the 6th graders. During that time, I helped the students tune their violins and took them out in sections to work on their parts and answer any questions they had on the piece they were working on. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

For my beginning students, I start out with a mixture of my own exercises, as well as basic songs using open strings, string crossings and rhythms, before moving to songs with basic fingerwork on one string (scale plus rhythm based). I usually supplement this beginning process with Essential Elements, before intruducing the Suzuki Method Book 1, Doflein Method Book 1, and rhythmic exercises from the Kodaly method. For my intermediate students, I use a mixture of Galamian bowing technique, emphasis on etudes and position work, Suzuki method, Barbara Barber scales and rep. books, and level-appropriate classical literature, combined with solo repetoire of the student's interest/choosing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Organ Ukulele Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

From experience, these are all the basic tools a student needs to work on their fundamentals before diving into full fledged solo pieces for competitions. Beginning students have to start from the bottom. These students will start by learning how to hold the violin and the bow, for example, and slowly but surely get into reading music and eventually playing simple scales and melodies from an elementary book. Some adults, however, may be interested in learning an instrument because they want to play a song they love. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I'm an experienced and caring instructor who loves to see students empowered in their own creativity and excellence. I received my Bachelor's in Music Education from Ithaca College in 1988. I have recorded and released three projects so far that have received radio play internationally and been on the charts on college public radio. My travels performing music in the U.S. and beyond have enriched my life immeasurably and I love sharing the spark of imagination with my students. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My teaching experiences date back to my high school days where I was a teacher assistant to my school's orchestra program. I have had the opportunity to work with students of all skill levels from basic beginners to more intermediate students auditioning for youth orchestras. I have also been teaching privately on and off according to my school schedule. Through my experiences and love for teaching, I am certain that I can provide each student with their own unique and motivating violin experience. Read More