Violin Lessons in Tomales, CA

Instruments: Violin

I love kids and since I am on the younger side of most violin teachers, I believe I have an advantage of connecting with the students more. When there is a nurturing bond between a teacher and a student, it allows the student to connect more and be more responsive throughout their lesson. One of my teaching styles is making the lesson fun by making jokes, connecting the music to their favorite type of music. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Each of my students is an individual with specific needs. I learn from all of them to help me be a better teacher, but keep in mind that they will have different strengths and proceed at different rates - and that's okay! I also believe that learning the violin is not a race to the end of book 10, but rather a journey, and that each student's place along that journey comes in many shades of grey. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

Due to this philosophy, I am always thinking of new ways to adapt to my students' needs and explain/work through difficult concepts and areas of the music. Lastly, I believe that playing music with others is a crucial factor in motivating a student to practice and learn on their own. Therefore, I highly encourage all of my students to participate in recitals and ensembles where they can share their accomplishments, make new friends, and admire joint achievements. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Organ Ukulele Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

Music is something that takes time to understand. It clicks in some students, but most kids take a while to develop musically. Patience is the most pronounced characteristic in my teaching style. It's easy to tell the student what they're doing wrong and what to correct, but that doesn't mean it's the most effective practice. Some kids will get nervous and make the same mistake over and over again. This is where it's important to use positive reinforcement and give the student time and space to be able to understand their mistake and fix it. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I used to use the Suzuki method but mostly I used formal classical method. Although, I always fit my lessons depending of each student's needs and/or requests. Personally I like the classical method because I also teach my students music theory if needed as well as historical facts to understand the music better. I have also thaught the El Sistema method from Venezuela which basically teaches students the feeling of playing music phisically. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Ukulele Recorder Music Acoustic Guitar

For the Advanced Beginner to Intermediate students (both adults and children) I use a mix of the higher level of all series listed above and a series of pieces that will challenge my students to explore their musicality, expression, awareness, and technical skills. For Cello Students: My beginner to intermediate cello students are taught using a combination the the following method books: All for Strings, Belwin Course for Strings, The ABC's of Cello, and Strictly Strings. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Music

Despite being familiar with so many fruitful and different methodologies, my search for freedom of expression found its way just when my need of feeling completely comfortable with the violin was finally satisfied. Though, I've developed my own methodology, combining the means offered by the finest violin schools and all the alternative, related disciplines such as Alexander Technique, Yoga, and Meditation working all together towards the importance of knowledge of our body, awareness of the self, need for enjoyment and educational relationship centered on student needs. Read More