Violin Lessons in Peapack, NJ

Instruments: Violin

I prompted them to say the first word or words they thought of at certain a part of the piece. We then used their collection of colors, feelings, favorite foods, and other words the Bach Sonata evoked in this class of teenagers to assemble a story to compliment the music. I became an ear-training teacher during my junior year of high school. I taught intermediate ear-training classes including rhythmic and melodic dictation, sight singing, and conducting to my classmates. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

I am a classically-trained violinist and composer, with a passion for teaching music to children and adults of all ages and levels. I received my Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University, and subsequently received a scholarship to continue my studies in Paris. Over the years, I have contributed to several non-profit and El Sistema-inspired music programs, in both North and South America. My first teaching job was in Colombia, where I taught violin and directed youth orchestras, and I have gone on to teaching a wide range of music classes in Chile, Brazil, New York City, Paris, and in Austin, Texas. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin

I love teaching and helping students reach their potential.  I have been teaching music for over 40 years.  I teach beginning to professional level voice lessons from folk and pop to Broadway and Opera. I also teach beginning level piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, and guitar. My students understand the voice and voice production. I am thrilled to pass on a fantastic technique to the serious opera or Broadway singers who have struggled with unfocused and frustrating techniques. Read More

Instruments: Violin

My teaching philosophy centers around the goal of my students developing control of their own learning by becoming independent thinkers, problem solving on their own, and understanding critical methods for effective practice and successful performance. I guide this process by asking questions, offering suggestions, and ultimately steering students towards an ownership of their choices. As a result, they are able to maximize their practice time during the week as they become better analysts of their own playing from both a global and detailed perspective. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For very young beginning students, I usually start with Shirley Givens' Adventures in Violinland. After some time, I like to switch to the Suzuki books to encourage training their ears. Each student is very different, and I cater and switch method books based on each student's individual need. For all ages, I encourage them to listen to violinists they enjoy on YouTube, and choose pieces they want to learn. Even if what they choose is a challenge, I believe they will be more inspired to work hard to learn the piece if they chose it. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

When working with younger children, I typically begin with the Suzuki method in order to establish strong musical and technical fundamentals. The Suzuki curriculum is also popular across many music programs in New York, so it provides beginning violinists an opportunity to play music with their peers. For adolescents and adults, I place an earlier emphasis on designing a curriculum based on their musical interests, with equal focus devoted to technique. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Music

I studied at Bard College in the Hudson Valley of New York and was the recipient of the Margaret Creal Shafer Prize in Performance with my extensive involvement in the music program. I've taken composition classes with Grammy winning composer Joan Tower, counterpoint and musicology with Kyle Gann, violin lessons with Kathryn Aldous, voice with Rufus Mller, piano with David Sytkowski, and conducting with James Bagwell. I enjoy music as it's something that I've been involved in for the majority of my life. Read More