Violin Lessons in Rockleigh, NJ

Instruments: Violin

I always remember the words of great violin teacher Ivan Galamian, who used to say : everything that is natural, is nice, and, everything that’s not natural is not nice. Musical material, and, learning of musical instrument, both require time, so depending on development of each student, teacher needs to understand which portion of the information to provide for each and every student and provide that information in natural and easy understanding way, to be able to help the student to learn quickly and develop a passion for music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Music

I have been teaching for 5 years to a wide range of ages. I like to make my lessons fun but also encourage hard work! I take an individualistic approach to teaching, tailoring my lessons to my students. I teach violin for all levels and beginner/intermediate piano. I encourage all my students to learn how to read music and have a basic understanding of theory. I prefer a mix of a musical and technical approach and encourage a slow but steady timeline for learning. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

This pedagogy uses the Suzuki repertoire but can also be used with other books. The Suzuki (Japanese) method is one of the most popular in the US. This method establishes strong musical and technical fundamentals. Other methods lead to similar results and can be just as enjoyable and interesting. Some examples are Robert Trorys (British) books or The Sassmannhaus Tradition (German). For older children and adults, I choose appropriate repertoire based on their musical interests, while still focusing on technique. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola

I don't have a singular method because every student is different. At the beginning of my lessons with a new student we will begin getting to know each other. Then we try different things. Some students are naturals at imitating what they hear, so we play to those strengths. Other students are more comfortable with structure and math, so we take that route instead. What I find most important is being flexible. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Piano Voice

Hello! My name is Austin and I'm a violinist and violist here in the Long Island, NY area. I recently graduated from The State University of New York at Fredonia with my degree in Viola Performance. My musical career has mostly been focused on playing orchestral and chamber music. I have played in orchestras featuring soloists, Grammy Winning cellist Zuill Bailey and violinist Rachael Lee. My teachers include Principal Violist of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

For students that are complete beginners, I like to start away from the instrument to instill some confidence in reading music and a basic understanding of harmony. Flash cards and memory games have proven to be extremely effective for me, and I've seen a huge change in confidence around a violin when the student isn't overwhelmed with trying to grasp many difficult concepts at once. Hal Leonard's books are a favorite of mine, as well as Harvey Whistler's "Introducing the --" series. Read More