Violin Lessons in Hackensack, NJ

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Saxophone Bassoon

I like my lessons to be fun! I like to start my lesson with a "music swap": we each play one minute of a song that we found that week from youtube or spotify and take 30-60 seconds to say why we found it interesting or inspiring (it can be any genre). We then aim to discuss and practice a new technical skill and use exercises to develop it, we work on a song from the method series or a song that the student wants to work on (I often transpose pop/rock songs for my students), and then rhythm training, ear training, and music theory concepts are interspersed throughout. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Music

After spending my youth studying in the Suzuki method and giving solo and orchestral performances, Ben began to experiment with other genres of music during his teenage years. In 1997, he received a scholarship to study at the Brhaddvani Center for Music of the World in Madras, India. In 2000 I studied performing and arranging with the Turtle Island String Quartet, and composition and improvisation with Dr. Yusef Lateef. Between 01 and 03, I performed throughout South America with The Lima Jazz Quintet and The Benjamin S. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Fiddle

I love having my students use notebooks to keep track of their own goals, practice habits and achievements. I think this is a great way to have them keep themselves on track and it's also a neat way to track progress! As a teacher, I like to encourage my students to be self-motivated so they can improve on their own. Taking lessons is obviously important but it is also crucial for students to practice the materials learned in lessons on their own time. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Fiddle Music

My first violin student started with me 9 years ago during my undergraduate studies in Utah. I realized that teaching is much different than performing and started taking classes to be a better instructor. I grew up studying the Suzuki books and have registered Violin Teacher Training Units 1-4 with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. In college, I studied Violin Pedagogy with the esteemed pedagogue Dr. Kasia Sokol-Borup who demonstrated how to enhance the Suzuki method with other styles of teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

I believe in teaching fundamental principles of technique that can be applied universally, and I encourage students to focus on one basic idea at a time. Scales, arpeggios, etudes and other exercises are an important part of daily practice, reinforced by weekly technique classes. In the study of technique, it is critical that students set attainable goals for themselves, and I help them to organize their practice time with this in mind. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

My teaching experience began at age 16, when a family friend asked if I would teach her daughter violin. I instantly found a love for the challenge of teaching, and the joy when a student experiences success. I have taught privately in a myriad of settings: music stores, music studios, and in students' homes. In high school, I was accepted into a music program that prepared me for entering college as a Music Education major. Read More