Violin Lessons in Oyster Bay, NY

Lauren K

Instruments: Voice Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My mother and older sister sang in choirs and played piano. My grandfather was an accomplished violinist. They all played for fun mostly and I wanted to cross the threshhold into playing as a career.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I am also a copy editor, a writer and a surfer! I would love to write travel books or film travel videos, obviously surfing along the way!

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
After spending years as a magazine editor, I was laid off. In that time, I picked up singing gigs while I looked for new work. Those gigs turned into bigger and bigger experiences until I decided to teach. After 10 years of performing and teaching, I started up my own studio and left the public school system. I feel I can do more as a private instructor, without red tape and state standards!

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
Violin, viola and cello are very similar, so it was not hard to choose those. I began playing bass guitar because I was asked to join bands. I began playing piano to accompany my voice students. Once you learn one instrument, you begin to speak the music language and other instruments become increasingly easier. I'm glad I began with violin because that has been the most challenging.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Paganini Caprice number 5 on violin. It's beautiful and intricate, and in the film Crossroads, Ralph Macchio crushes Steve Vai by playing it on electric guitar. As an electric player, I always loved that. In voice, I would love to write the perfect original song. I believe there's an intimate beauty in sharing original work.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I use Suzuki for violin/viola. I find it works very well to build muscle memory and sight reading skills for beginners. After the first couple levels of Suzuki, students may decide to branch into something more flexible or play fiddle rather than traditional violin, but a foundation in Suzuki has always helped.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
In violin and viola, it took me years to enjoy my own sound, then translate that to electric violin/viola. Vibrato is always a challenge as well and I was not happy with mine for quite some time.

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Four of my voice students have been on "The Voice" and one has joined me in publishing three songs to commercial television. Three of my younger students have been accepted into very prestigious music conservatories.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I chose violin because my grandfather was a violinist and used to play fiddle for me as well. I chose voice because I enjoy connecting with others as a vocalist and it has helped my conquer my fear of public speaking. Being a vocalist and violinist has brought me experiences I never expected and will cherish.

When will I start to see results?
Every student progresses at their own pace. A good teacher will help students set realistic and reachable goals from day one, so you will see progress immediately. Be prepared for your own humanity though! One off day may feel like 10 steps back. A good teacher will help you through these obstacles.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Practice your rigorous exercizes, but always end with a "guilty pleasure" or something that is easy or fun for you. Set a practice time and stick to it. If you get frustrated, take a quick breather, but don't put your instrument down. Don't look at your instrument as your enemy, but as an extension of you. If you're having an off day, just run through your basics and remind yourself that music is a language that takes time to learn. Some days are better than others!

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Forcing a child into music may turn them off to it completely. Let your child experience all types of music and ask them if they are ready to try and learn. At first, a child may want to try several instruments to see which one they bond with. Allowing them ownership of their music choice is a positive way to start. As for vocal students, children cannot truly begin to work on their voices until after puberty, but young students can learn about proper breathing, music theory, warmup exercizes and group singing.

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