Violin Lessons in Capitol Hill, WA

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I approach each student as an individual. Some students take things slow and steady, while others I can barely fit enough into their weekly lessons to keep them happy, and either way is just fine. My ultimate goal as a teacher is to make myself obsolete - I aim to teach my students how to learn, how to be critics of themselves for more effective practice time, and eventually, how to either need a teacher that can take them to more advanced levels, or to play without a teacher. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

Back then I didnt have the skills to play my pieces the way I envisioned them sounding. I didnt get it! Id been taking lessons for years... but I couldnt make my violin sound sad and melancholy or make the piano sound excited or happy. I realized I didnt know how to APPLY all the techniques and skills Id been practicing my whole life! Whats the use of learning something if you cant do anything with it? Read More

Instruments: Voice Violin

I always make sure the student has a proper say in all of the proceedings. I want to make sure that the student enjoys the piece that they are working on, and that it challenges their skill levels while still being able to be performed by them. I also make sure that their personal tastes are reflected in the pieces selected, and make sure they listen to performances of the piece before it is selected. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have been teaching privately part time for the past 4 years working with students in grades K-12. My main goal in lessons is for my students to not only succeed at a new skill once, but to be confident in their ability to repeat their success in practice at home and at our next lessons. I encourage positive feedback and positive "self-talk" as a means of boosting self-efficacy. I think an important part of learning is goal setting and outlining specific, achievable steps to reach that goal so that progress can be tracked and the process of learning can become less ambiguous. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For beginning students, I typically start with the Essential Elements method book, which introduces the fundamentals in a way that is friendly to all learners, easy to understand, and interesting. Once the students has an understanding of the fundamentals, we will typically move on to Suzuki Book One, supplemented with various other exercises. At this stage, the student is able to give their first recital performance. For intermediate or more experienced students, I will typically find out what the student is interested in and provide solo repertoire based on their interests. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Mandolin Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle

Although I am classically trained and have extensive orchestral experience as a violinist and violist, I was a founding member of an Irish group and several early music ensembles, performed with folk and classical guitarists, and played in a rock and roll nightclub band.I continue to play in many churches and synagogues, do strolling violin work, perform jazz standards, and act as lead violin in an internationally acclaimed big band. Read More