Violin Lessons in Irvine, CA

Instruments: Violin

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I started on the piano. I am happy I did because it taught me the very basics of music which helped me transfer that to violin very easily. I still play piano and teach piano as well.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
I am one of 14 children (yes, you read right!). All of my siblings have some musicality in them - some more than others. I am the only professional musician in the family however.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I knew from the moment I picked up the violin. I can't explain it except that something in my body and mind knew this is what I'm going to do for the rest of my life.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Classical - I enjoy how all of these moving parts work together in a piece by Beethoven or Brahms. I have played many other genres and enjoy all of them from fiddle to movie music, rock to modern.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I enjoy hiking and coffee, as well as talking about pretty much anything with just about everybody. I believe I would be involved in television either as an actor or as a talk show host.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I have three Music Performance degrees from three different schools. I love performing and want to be the very best that I can be on my instrument.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
A normal practice session looks different depending on what I have coming up on a concert schedule. In addition to scales, I usually practice a movement of a Bach sonata or partita because Bach's music demands purity of tone and rhythm. I will move on to a concerto that I am working on and then I will follow that up with chamber work such as a trio or duo that I will perform later that week/month.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
I would love to perform all six sonatas and partitas by Bach in one recital. These works are staples of the repertoire and of the Western Music canon. It would be a dream come true to do this.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I use Suzuki method. They are simply the best method to use in my opinion. The repertoire is fantastic and the way that the method focuses on mastery of tone at such a young age is paramount.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
I believe that consistency is the hardest thing to achieve on one's instrument. Consistency of tone and pitch is the ultimate in any musician's journey. It is always something that has to be kept in check and to continue to strive for.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
One of the things I'm most proud of is being a part of the Aspen Music Festival's Orchestral Leadership Fellowship Program. I have been chosen as one of nine mentors to take care of and mentor an orchestra at the esteemed festival. My first year as part of the fellowship, I was partnered with one of my closest friends and we were able to mentor young people on how best to play together. Truly a life changing thing it is to help create excitement in a lasting way in people's lives.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I had a friend that I didn't really like that played the violin and I thought to myself, "Hey, I can do that better than him!" That's how I started. Don't worry, he's one of my closest friends to this day.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Yes I did. My first Suzuki teacher was phenomenal. She was caring and gentle whilst being disciplined and motivating. Those things are often hard to achieve together, yet she did it all with grace and inspired me to be the very best I could. Without her, I would not be playing today.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Generally I start teaching at age 5. Each child is different, but if they love music and are big enough to hold things without dropping them, then they are set. That age varies and depends completely on what the parent feels is best.

When will I start to see results?
Over time - Each day is a journey and just like in all good things, it takes time but it happens. Even to this day, after year and years of practice, I will feel like I'm not advancing and then one day I'll go back and listen to a recording I did a bit ago and see the progress. It's hard to see the forest through the trees but it's great to step back and get a big picture view often.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Always have a plan and stick to it. A little progress each day is better than one big chunk on one day of the week. A great piece of advice is to anly practice on the days you eat!

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