Violin Lessons in Dockweiler, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola

I teach a combination of Suzuki and traditional methods. I grew up as a Suzuki student, but in my professional teaching life have learned to add additional methods into lessons to supplement training. For young, beginner students, I start them off with a method book like "All for Strings," which teaches first by rote. Not long after the students achieve the basic skills of the violin, we incorporate the Suzuki method and note reading. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe English Horn Acoustic Guitar

I use a wide variety of methods depending on the student's current ability level, musical preferences, and goals. I'm also willing to work with a method or book that a student is currently using. Generally, my students have a varying ratio of technique/scale study to work on the foundations, an etude/short piece study to help connect musical ideas and teach expression, and a solo piece that is prepared over a long period of time, most likely for a future recital. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

 I've been actively teaching for nearly 35 years. Teaching children as well as adults. I graduated from Drake University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Music Education. While in college I played professionally in the Des Moines Symphony and was the winner of the Young Artist Contest which afforded me the privilege of featured soloist with the Drake Symphony Orchestra. I've travelled Europe performing in America's Youth in Concert and have played at Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame. Read More

Instruments: Violin Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle

If a student has never played violin before, I usually start out with a combination of the Suzuki method, the American Fiddle Method, and Jazz Fiddle Wizard to develop a holistic approach, comfortable with playing multiple styles, improvising, and playing both from sheet music and by ear from the very begginning.  After the fundamentals are grasped, I ask the student what he or she really wants to play, and we develop technique and theory based on his or her favorite songs. Read More

Instruments: Violin Electric Violin

I try my best to keep lessons fun, especially with the younger students. For example, Sometimes we play music games, sometimes we walk/dance to learn about rhythm, sometimes we sing. I also have small group practices each month to combine students at about the same level, they play togher, they perform for each other, make constructive suggestions and encourage each other. Each student is very different, I usually try to get to know the student ( and parents) at the first few lessons so I know which approach works better to help the student. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have been teaching for the past 11 years and have had a full studio of 20-25 students during that time. Over the past four summers I have also directed chamber music and fiddle music camps. I specialize in starting very young children on the violin, as young as age 2, although depending on the child starting between ages 3-6 is ideal. It is very important to me to tailer my teaching to each student and their developmental and musical level. Read More