Violin Lessons in Niles, IL

Instruments: Guitar Violin Cello Viola

I am a professional musician and violin, cello, and viola teacher with over 25 years of experience in Europe and the United States. I am including some background information about my training and professional experiences: I graduated from the University of Tirana in 1992 with a Bachelor Degree in Music, where I majored in Violin, Viola Performance and Music Education. Shortly after completing my studies, I performed as a principal second and first violin section player in the University of Tirana Symphony Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Bass Guitar Harmonica

The first lesson is always partly an interview so I can understand exactly what the student's goals are. I typically establish good posture and breathing habits (or bowing and fingering, if violin) first and then move on to essential warm-up exercises. Those exercises then become their regular homework, to hopefully be practiced multiple times a week or if possible, every day. I remind the student of breathing and posture regularly - good habits are the goal! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Acoustic Guitar

I have always enjoyed music and playing music and found it natural to play for my friends and family. And weather it was in school orchestra, garage band, or friends with guitars, I shared my knowledge with other players. The best part of teaching for me is when I introduce some new material and explain it and the light bulb goes off and the child gets that big eyed look, I see that the student understands it. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a genuine passion for music! Thats why its so important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic and achievable goals for my students at every lesson. Celebrating accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes them eager to learn even more. By discovering what truly inspires each student, Im able to successfully tailor my instruction to meet their unique wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

For beginning students (pre-Suzuki), I like to take material from different method books and even write my own songs. This way, each student has their own, individualized curriculum to help with technique or material that they find to be difficult. Once the student has a good grasp of the fundamentals, I like to use Suzuki books. I like to use the Suzuki method for younger beginners because it can be more challenging to learn to read notes, but I encourage note reading for older students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer French Horn

For the past 20 years, I've studied and performed with keyboards, guitars and woodwind instruments while exploring a very wide variety of music ranging from classical and rock to jazz and avant-garde. Expanding and sharing that knowledge with other people in a helpful and friendly manner is something that I consummately enjoy- especially if they're beginning where I once was. My education includes a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from DePaul University, and I've been working on my Music Education Certificate at UMSL since August 2014. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have loved music for as long as I can remember. At three years old I was dancing around my dad’s office as he played Stevie Ray Vaughn. At four I was begging my older brothers to teach me something on their guitars. By eight I was teaching myself “I Want It That Way” on my MIDI keyboard and by nine I finally decided to play the violin through my school orchestra program. Read More