Violin Lessons in Montclair, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with the Suzuki Violin Method (Viola version available) with occasional ear training with the piano with the Kodaly method. For intermediate and advanced students, I introduce a variety of etudes, scale books, and solo repertoire, e.g. Carl Flesch, Kreutzer, Mazas, Dont, Dounis, and Unaccompanied Bach, etc. For viola students or violinists who are looking into doubling the viola, I introduce many techniques including Karen Tuttle and Primrose Scales to help along with the transition. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

I use an organized step by step method as a general rule, depending on the students age and ability, seeking to have each student master the fundamentals of rhythm, note reading, technique and expression in a logical easy to understand way. I require practice at least 4 days a week to ensure progress. For preschool age children, I use the Wunderkeys method. I seek to minimize frustration, encourage students to e-mail with questions, use games as a learning tool and assign pieces they like and pieces that are standard repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I have taught violin since the year 2011. My students have primarily been between the ages of 10-16 with the exception of one student being in her 40's. I have taught beginners to advanced beginners, and most of my students have to this point hired me to train for a particular upcoming audition. During the years of teaching, I have found that I truly enjoy watching students obtain the gift of being able to play music. Read More

Instruments: Violin Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle

If a student has never played violin before, I usually start out with a combination of the Suzuki method, the American Fiddle Method, and Jazz Fiddle Wizard to develop a holistic approach, comfortable with playing multiple styles, improvising, and playing both from sheet music and by ear from the very begginning.  After the fundamentals are grasped, I ask the student what he or she really wants to play, and we develop technique and theory based on his or her favorite songs. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Acoustic Guitar

Drums and Percussion: Alfred's Kids Drumset Course-Dave Black and Steve Houghton Elementary Drum Method-Roy Burns Intermediate Snare Studies-Mitchell Peters Alfred's Beginning Drum Set Method-Sandy Feldstein and Dave Black Primary Handbook for Mallets-Garwood Whaley Violin: Suzuki Method Guitar: Hal Leonard Guitar Method-Will Schmid and Greg Koch Ukulele: Kid's Ukulele Course-Ron Manus and L.C. Harnsberger Bass: Hal Leonard Bass Method Ed Friedland As students begin to grasp more on fundamentals, they will be introduced along the way to various repertoire relating to their skillset or challenging them to go to the next level. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Hi there! My name is Brandon Encinas, violinist and violist living in the Los Angeles area! I’ve been playing violin for 23 years and work as a performing and recording artist. I’ve had the joy of sending some of my students to top university’s and music schools across the country over the last decade. I also record with studios across Los Angeles, and some of my favorite projects are done at home from my home recording set up, where I can work with composers and artists from all over the world. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe English Horn Acoustic Guitar

I use a wide variety of methods depending on the student's current ability level, musical preferences, and goals. I'm also willing to work with a method or book that a student is currently using. Generally, my students have a varying ratio of technique/scale study to work on the foundations, an etude/short piece study to help connect musical ideas and teach expression, and a solo piece that is prepared over a long period of time, most likely for a future recital. Read More