Violin Lessons in Pasadena, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

In addition to private studio teaching, both in-person and remote for 6 years, my teaching experience comes from being as an Adjunct Faculty in violin and viola for non-music majors at New York University, the orchestral viola coach at Mannes Prep Precollege Division, director of Chamber Music and violin/viola faculty at Thurnauer School of Music. My students at younger ages have passed auditions of prestigious music pre-college programs as well as school-region youth orchestra programs; college-age students have won scholarships at their colleges for music minors and double-majors. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

I was assistant principal cellist of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for 15 years from 1987 to 2002. I was an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Mississippi in Oxford from 1988 and 1998. After 1998, I teach cello at the prestigious Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. I was also the Music Director and Conductor of the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra for 9 years. During that time, I led the youth group on inaugural overseas concert tours to stages in Europe and China, reaching their highest level and largest audiences to the date. Read More

Instruments: Violin

Communication is a key element of any student-teacher relationship. While most instrumental training can be fairly orthodox in nature, Im primarily interested in striking a balance between the clarity and focus that convention can offer and the creative desires of the student. In short, I believe that creating a democratic space for the student to learn and grow can keep the experience fresh, exciting, and encouraging. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Bass Guitar Electric Violin Acoustic Guitar

Classes are customized per the student's individual needs. For some students, this means a standard repertoire: Schradiek, Scevcik, Hrimaly for violin. Hanon for piano. But for others, they would do better with a less formal approach. In all cases, the use of the ear is fundamental and primal. We will learn how to hear, and how to listen for timbres and intervals. (Basic interval training will be a part of everyone's lesson, as there's really no way around that.) Some students are intimidated by the classical repertoire, and the demands the classical tradition places on musicians. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For beginning students I do follow the Suzuki Method to an extent, where they learn the main parts of the instrument and bow, how to hold it to prevent as much tension as possible, and some general ear training exercises to help with learning pieces. I have a list of games to do that especially work well with younger beginners, since their attention span is limited and I want to make the lesson time productive but also fun for them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

For beginning students, I work with a student for violin on the parts of the instrument and the bow. Few students learn quick on the parts of the violin and the bow.I used the violin books on All for Strings by Robert Frost and Kjos music company from San Diego. I go over the repertoire from a student to play the rhythm slowly and hearing the pitches for the school homework. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

With consistent practice and lessons I’ve had success with having some of my youngest students start with Mozarts twinkle little star and in 2-3 years play at a very high level with skill, artistry and reading abilities in Suzuki books 4/5 Vivaldi Concertos. Students start off with a box violin to focus on posture and ear training right away. Once some of the fine motor skills are established, we transfer these skills directly to the violin, and begin create sound on the instrument. Read More