Violin Lessons in Derby, CT

Instruments: Violin

I am a professional violinist with many years of experience in performing, and teaching in all areas of music. I earned my Bachelors of Music from the University of Akron and earned experience there as a Violin Teaching Assistant and Theory and History Tutor, and am currently working towards my Masters in Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy at The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. When students take lessons with me, they can expect to learn something new every week about the violin, technical abilities, how to create music that tells a story, and most importantly, about themselves and their own creative and learning abilities. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have taught violin in private Catholic schools for four years and have taught privately for over 12 years. I am on faculty at Summertrios and the Lake Placid Chamber Music Institute, which are adult amateur chamber music camps. My students have ranged in age from 3 all the way to 83, so I know and understand that there are numerous methods and techniques that go into teaching. I focus on what the individual student needs rather than rely on one particular method over the other. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

I typically begin a piano student's first lesson, with the Bastien Piano series. This is geared at kid's, but, for adults, I use various other beginner books! In addition to this, I pride myself on teaching all students, how to best play popular music, using a full range of chords, not typically taught. I get students learning quickly and more importantly, correctly, so they are prepared out there, in the real musical world! Read More

Instruments: Voice Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I am as passionate about creating and performing music as I am about teaching music to others. I have worked with professionals and my own students to create compositions that have been published to television and film, and I have coached students who now perform worldwide. My favorite thing about teaching is helping my students connect to music for the first time and watching that passion grow. As an audio engineer and producer, I can coach students in music and also the music industry. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle Music

With beginner students, regardless of age, I start with the Suzuki pre-twinkle exercises to build a solid foundation of technique, as well as starting ear training exercises and note reading practice. Once a student has mastered the pre-twinkle fundamentals, I move to the first two Suzuki books, and supplement with etudes tailored to the student's level and musical interests. My philosophy is that learning should be organic and enjoyable, so I do my best to introduce repetitive and uninteresting exercises only when necessary, and to make them as entertaining as possible when I do so. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

For beginning piano students who are children, I usually start with John Thompson's "Teaching Little Fingers To Play."  Once the student has progressed and becomes more familiar with reading the notes in both clefs, I will begin to introduce solo pieces of music that the child picks out of the choices I present to them.  I do this to help encourage and reward the child with their success.  For adult piano students, I find out what the student is interested in and guide my instruction accordingly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Music

My teaching style is very friendly and I have a great passion for teaching! I also like to guide my students on how to refine their playings by themselves and encourage them to form their own thoughts on the music, and I believe the ability to resolve problems without outside help is crucial not only in the music realm but also in real life, so it is a good place to train that skill too! Read More