Violin Lessons in La Habra Heights, CA

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

I have extensive experience as a teacher as well as a performer. I bring these two accomplishments together to provide a well rounded experience for my students.  In High School, I performed with the Kansas City Youth Symphony for 8 years, the Kansas City Cello Choir for eight years, the Missouri All-State for three years, and various other honor orchestras throughout her career. While still attending Drake University, I played in the Drake Symphony Orchestra, the Des Moines Symphony and the Encore String Trio. 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: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Most recently Derek was the lead trombonist of the 2018 Disneyland All-American College Band. He has recently performed with Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, Dave Holland, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jimmy Heath, Shaun Martin, Christian Jacob, John Beasley, Troy Roberts, Frank Greene, Brian Lynch, Jeff Jarvis, Steve Houghton, Jiggs Whigham, Sal Lozano, and John Clayton. Derek has had recent performances at Dizzys Club Coca-Cola, the Smithsonian Institute, and the New World Symphony. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students, i like to start with the Essential Elements method book. The pieces in this method book are good for beginners because they are short and simple. For more advanced students, I like to delve into the Suzuki method books and then into more advanced solo repertoire from there. However, each student is different, so each student's lesson may look different. I also like to see what pieces or scales the student is interested in learning and incorporate that into the lesson plan. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Mandolin Acoustic Guitar

The methods use for young children are the series of Sassmannshaus books. Piatti for adults. All for strings and essential elements books for violin and viola., among other methods books. I also use innovative methods to teach all instruments. I encourage my students to select their own repertoire. It is also encourage to perform at least 3 times a year in recitals. I also prepare my students for auditions for orchestras and other ensembles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Fiddle French Horn Piccolo Oboe

My approach to learning an instruments is to have the students learn to play by ear first before they can start learning to read music. I find that most students are able to progress quickly because it frees them to focus on the playing the instruments rather than reading notes. I consider reading music like different subject that they learn later. Learning music is like learning to speak. First we learn to talk and then we learn to read and write. Read More

Instruments: Violin

Every student learns on a different learning curve. My general teaching style includes a balance of technique and musicality. I asks students to keep a notebook where I break up the materials for them to practice for efficiently. I also look for other materials. if the student moves at a faster or needs additional help. I have a general structure of teaching I used with all students and personalize lessons accordingly; Read More