Violin Lessons in Jacksonville, FL

Instruments: Violin Viola

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I had played violin from the early age of 6. I was always interested and never wanted to quit, only after attending an arts boarding high-school and being accepted into the studio of Hal Grossman I chose to become a violinist, and teacher.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I will soon have two degrees, my first degree is in Music Performance that I earned from The University of Oregon under the tutelage of Hal Grossman in 2020. The second degree I will earn this spring will be String Pedagogue from The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee under the tutelage of Darcy Drexler.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am proud of many of the accomplishments that have been a part of my career, but I am most proud of the String Pedagogy program I have taken as a graduate student.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
A very hard question indeed. This really depends on who you ask, for myself a singing and connected tone is the most hard to achieve. Others might say shifting, vibrato, or pulling a straight bow.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
The reason I chose the violin was mainly because of the sound. Even at six years old I was amazed at how this instrument cloud produce a sound that was songlike, brilliant, and deep.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
Yes, through the String Pedagogy program I was able to learn a succession of music that best helps progress a student. Starting from an beginning stage there might be no music at all, then we move into Suzuki book 1. After the student progresses through Book 4 I start to use supplemental repertoire. Standard pieces are then introduced. Along with each progression of a piece there are also scale, and etudes that coincide with the pieces.

When will I start to see results?
This is a open ended question depending on what level the child is at. For beginners, the progress might seem to be very slow or non-existent, but in order to play correctly and beautifully a strong foundation must be set first. For advanced players, there can be fast or slow progress depending on the student. For all students, with the correct amount of preparation at home and in practicing, the progress should move fast.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
A child is ready to start lessons at any point in their life whether that be 4 years old or 11. The most common sign that a child is ready is that they are interested in music, art, or any instrument.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
To practice effectively is to practice efficiently. A student must know the problem spots of their practice and performance in order to correct the mistakes. The student must also have the mentality of setting goals in their practicing to achieve a level of performance.

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