Violin Lessons in Ho Ho Kus, NJ

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

I work in partner with students who are enrolled in public school lessons, and incorporate their school's method book (i.e. Essential Elements 2000 or similar), as well as rudimentary exercises and pieces appropriate for their level. I am a strong advocate of Kreutzer etudes, Hrimaly scales, and Suzuki pieces as learning tools. I guide my instruction based around the students' ability, needs, and goals. I believe that learning music is a constant conversation between student, teacher, and any others involved (parents, guardians, siblings, school music teacher), and like to keep communication open with weekly notes and homework assignments recorded in a music notebook. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I prompted them to say the first word or words they thought of at certain a part of the piece. We then used their collection of colors, feelings, favorite foods, and other words the Bach Sonata evoked in this class of teenagers to assemble a story to compliment the music. I became an ear-training teacher during my junior year of high school. I taught intermediate ear-training classes including rhythmic and melodic dictation, sight singing, and conducting to my classmates. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

For beginners, I always start with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I typically will work with the student from the Suzuki Violin Method books and also will choose a scale book based on the student's progress. I often prefer for beginning students to play from the Hrimaly Scale Book. Later down the line, students can choose pieces that they are interested in, but I am always an advocate of classical pieces for fundamental training. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

This teaches the student to be prepared, confident and expressive in their playing. There is a special bond that takes place when playing chamber music. They have to be certain in what they are playing and communicate with other musicians what they are trying to get across and portray in any particular piece. This is important even in the young students after they have learned and feel comfortable with the basic technique of their instrument. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle Acoustic Guitar

I love to begin with the Suzuki method but is all dependent upon each individual student and their learning style! My initial priority is to make sure student's understand the fundamentals of violin technique. Along with technique is extensive ear training. This will lead to flexibility such as being able to improvise in a vast amount of genres. This fosters a long and engaging relationship with music and the violin. Read More

Instruments: Violin Electric Violin Fiddle

While I do not subscribe to any particular school of study, such as Suzuki or Schrimer's, I am a firm beleiver in starting off with my students at their current level and pace. Once I have assessed a students's personal ability, there is discussion of what goals/objectives the student wshes to achieve. Once we have decided what direction the student wishes to take with their instrument, I typically use a variety of etudes, chamber, and solo music to offer both a strong technical base along with a freedom of choice. Read More