Violin Lessons in Westwood, WA

Instruments: Voice Violin

I always make sure the student has a proper say in all of the proceedings. I want to make sure that the student enjoys the piece that they are working on, and that it challenges their skill levels while still being able to be performed by them. I also make sure that their personal tastes are reflected in the pieces selected, and make sure they listen to performances of the piece before it is selected. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

 It will be my pleasure to work with you. *SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO MISS ALLIE ON PIANO! Allie has shown an exceeding amount of progress with each lesson. I am proud to call her my student. She is always prepared, and eager to show me her progress for the week. I am delightfully pleased to see how well she has applied our preceding lesson to her week's practice. Allie is quick to fix a mistake. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I started violin lessons at age 7, after 2 years of begging my mom! I can still remember that blustery Saturday morning in November when I had my first lesson, and since then, I have learned so much. I joined the studio orchestra after just a year of lessons, then began teacher training and luthier (violin repair) classes in high school. I took a break from teaching while getting my bachelor's degree, but continued while I got my master's. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

For younger students who are beginning, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. This book has great materials for setting up the violin and bow hold, reading notes, rhythm and other musical markings, and introducing basic music theory such as time and key signatures. Also, this book incorporates the foundation of all musical learning, scales and arpeggios, into fun exercises that are enjoyable for every student.For older students who have more experience, I have a range of etudes from Sevcik to Kreutzer that can futher develop and solidify a good foundation of technique.For musical training, I use solo repertoire from Suzuki and other sources that are appropriate for each student's level so that he/she can be healthily challenged musically and technically while feeling accomplished during performances. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Mandolin Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle

I use Samuel Applebaum's String Builderbooks 1 and 2 as my beginning texts and his Scales for Strings, Early Etudes, and First Position Etudes (especially for viola) before moving into First Etudes by Whistler/Hummel for violin and then the Wohlfahrt/Aiquoni Foundation Studies, books 1 and 2, Mazas, and advanced etudes such as Kreutzer and Campagnoli for both violin and viola. Beginners useConcertTunesbooks 1 and 2 by Dale Brubaker for first (immediate) solosthat reinforce note reading and other instruction. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For beginning students, I typically start with the Essential Elements method book, which introduces the fundamentals in a way that is friendly to all learners, easy to understand, and interesting. Once the students has an understanding of the fundamentals, we will typically move on to Suzuki Book One, supplemented with various other exercises. At this stage, the student is able to give their first recital performance. For intermediate or more experienced students, I will typically find out what the student is interested in and provide solo repertoire based on their interests. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I first began private teaching as a high school student - this allowed me to discover my love for working with students and helping them reach their goals. I attended the University of South Carolina where I took extensive music education coursework alongside my violin performance degree, teaching at the USC String Project and also maintaining my own home studio. After college I moved to the Bay Area and taught at the Bravo Conservatory of Music before moving to Washington state to pursue new opportunities. Read More