Violin Lessons in Washington, DC

Instruments: Violin

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
I have found that children younger than 6 years old are generally not yet ready to start lessons although there are exceptions. I believe that all children are intrigued by musical sounds and will demonstrate their desire to learn an instrument by imitating musicians they see on television or hear on the radio, or Internet - namely, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc. Furthermore, kids with a strong propensity for taking lessons will frequently talk about it in every day conversation with family and friends. A colleague of mine said that she attended concerts at the Kennedy Center when she was a child always focusing her attention on the instrumental soloist. She told her parents who were both church musicians that she wanted to wear a long dress and play on stage in front of an audience too. She is now a world class violinist and associate violin professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is often called upon by regional symphony orchestras to perform as soloist.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
I generally organize my practice sessions in three parts: Scales, Etudes, and solo/orchestral music. I find that scales and Sevcik finger exercises are an excellent warmup to more intense study. It's a lot like stretching and aerobic activity before beginning physical exercise. I work on specific etudes that will sharpen specific techniques. For example, octaves, thirds, sixths, tenths; double stops. Finally, I spend the remaining tine focusing on problem passage work in solo/orchestral music. I practice slowly measure-by-measure and note-by-note identifying issues with intonation, phrasing, articulation.

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
One of my students was awarded an academic scholarship at York College of Pennsylvania. I assisted her prepare for her audition at the school. We drilled scales and arpeggios; and selected a solo piece that demonstrated her exemplary musical skills. She is minoring in music and continues to thrive playing in various musical ensembles wile pursuing a rigorous program leading to a BS in Criminology. I was recently told that she is teaching a few local students as well. I don't know how she is able to fit everything into her tight schedule but always found a way as my student.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Yes, my first private instructor was my first major inspiration for pursuing music as a a career possibility. He played with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for over 40 years. He combined traditional repertoire for the violin but also incorporated popular music as part of my lessons. This approach demonstrated to me that the violin is relevant to a variety of musical genre. My teacher would allow me backstage at concerts at Kleinhans Music Hall and introduce me to artists like Itzhak Perlman, Aaron Copeland and others. I felt at home in this environment.

When will I start to see results?
Results vary with each student and depend upon both talent and disciplined application. If the student is consistently engaged in lessons, and practices at least 3-4 days weekly for 30 - 45 minutes each session, results can be seen in 3-6 months. Music study like any academic endeavor requires persistent study and application. The learning experience is cumulative much like mastering mathematics multiplication tables, fractions, or Algebraic equations. Each musical concept and technique builds upon those previously learned. Patient repitition of these skills is a requirement for sustained success.

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