Violin Lessons in Marlboro, NJ

Instruments: Violin

When I teach I always ask my students what I can help them with and if they are working on anything at the moment. Assuming that they are I will ask them to play a little bit of what they have prepared, just so I can get a general sense of where they are in their journey on the violin. After they finish playing I start by explaining what I noticed from a technical standpoint, so that this way they know what to be aware of and work on while they are in the practice room as it pertains to their setup. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Keyboard

My work with the DCYOP, an El-Sistema inspired program, involves teaching the basics of playing the violin, viola, cello and music theory, adjudicating students’ progress, leading sectionals and full rehearsals in various DC schools, some from the most underserved communities. Highlights are having all the different schools come together for a large performance at the Kennedy Center and the students performances with Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell and Esperanza Spalding. I’ve also facilitated many youth orchestra performances and summer camps as string teaching artist in DC and Maryland showcasing that I can motivate the students to a high quality performance regardless of the amount of time. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Keyboard

Music is deeply personal; one must get to know each student's own personality, interests, and connections to music. Early on (both in the teaching relationship and in each lesson) one must assess where the student is, as to technical and musical growth, and with the music at hand. Then one finds, models, explains and encourages the next steps the student can achieve. Clear guidance and dialogue about what will happen outside the studio (listening, practice, rehearsal, performance) helps turn the weekly cycle of lessons into an upward spiral of progress, achievement, and reward. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

This pedagogy uses the Suzuki repertoire but can also be used with other books. The Suzuki (Japanese) method is one of the most popular in the US. This method establishes strong musical and technical fundamentals. Other methods lead to similar results and can be just as enjoyable and interesting. Some examples are Robert Trorys (British) books or The Sassmannhaus Tradition (German). For older children and adults, I choose appropriate repertoire based on their musical interests, while still focusing on technique. 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: Violin Viola

I have taught a range of students from kids to teenagers to adults on violin, viola, piano, and drums. I have taught at churches, summer camps, colleges, student homes, and schools. I have taught a variety of genres, but classical music is certainly my forte. I currently teach at Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, NY, where I also teach students after school as well, so I have a surplus of experience working with students of varying ages in a professional and nonprofessional environment. Read More