Violin Lessons in Highland Park, WA

Instruments: Piano Violin

My teaching experience dates back to high school, when I began giving private violin and piano lessons part time 8 years ago. Since that time I've continued to teach in the Puyallup area as well as in Bellingham and Mt Vernon. Ive used many teaching models over the years on students of all ages from very diverse backgrounds. I did most of this through trial and error; learning that very young children do best with short structured and repetative lessons, while teenagers can benefit more from targeted lessons that switch focus every week, and what to do when a student struggles because of stress in their home. 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

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: 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 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 Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My motto is my students create their own lesson. I formulate lesson plans off of the styles of music you are most interested in. If my student has a more "just for fun" attitude, the lesson will inevitably be a more light hearted feel. If the student would like to focus on more technicalities, that as well is a different approach. However, I do have a more structured plan for younger students. Read More