Violin Lessons in La Canada Flintridge, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola

I think it is important to have a strong foundation when you're learning to play an instrument. And what is absolutely essential is scales. If you can play scales well, then you're off to a good start! You may very well be able to learn new music faster and play the pieces better! However, I do not believe that scales should dominate the lesson because that is not fun for the student or the teacher. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I began teaching lessons about three years ago to a small number of students that included close friends and family members. Over these three years I have had about twenty students that were all at the beginner level. Teaching at a beginner level has helped me develop my style of teaching, as well as discover new ways of helping each individual student according to their learning capability. While I prefer to teach older students and adult students, I have also taught a small number of younger children, though it is often difficult for me depending on their age, and so I prefer older students. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For beginning students I do follow the Suzuki Method to an extent, where they learn the main parts of the instrument and bow, how to hold it to prevent as much tension as possible, and some general ear training exercises to help with learning pieces. I have a list of games to do that especially work well with younger beginners, since their attention span is limited and I want to make the lesson time productive but also fun for them. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For young students, I use a Suzuki Method hybrid, meaning I incorporate additional note-reading and music theory elements while using the Suzuki Violin books and Suzuki's core values of imitation and ear training. I also supplement with many pieces outside of the Suzuki Method, including folk, blues, fiddle, and other styles. As students progress I include traditional etudes, technique studies and scales. My ultimate goal is to give my students all the tools they need to play and learn pieces on their own, and to that end I ensure they fully comprehend and master each step of learning before introducing new concepts. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Bass Guitar Electric Violin Acoustic Guitar

It is important to pass on the education and experience I received. In my opinions, this is a duty of the artist. So I have always tried to share what has been given to me. I have had both formal and ad hoc students over the years. Although I've taught other subjects, such as theater and computer science, music is my metier, so it is the subject I am most fond of and love to teach the most. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I create a personalized lesson plan for each and every student I teach, because not everyone learns the same way. I incorporate music and exercises from a variety of different books in a way that I think would best suit my student. I will often also have my students learn music that has a part for a second violin, so that I can accompany them. For a complicated instrument like the violin, learning left-hand technique comes before right-hand technique, and then combining them together. Read More