Violin Lessons Napa County, CA

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, Cello, Viola, Double Bass

I was assistant principal cellist of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for 15 years from 1987 to 2002. And I was an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Mississippi in Oxford from 1988 and 1998. After 1998, I teach cello at the prestigious Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. I nwas also the Music Director and Conductor of the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra for 9 years. During that time, he led the youth group on inaugural overseas concert tours to stages in Europe and China, reaching their highest level and largest audiences to the date. Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola, Fiddle

I have taught beginning violin using many different methods and books, including but not limited to the Suzuki Method, Essential Elements for Strings, and All For Strings books. However, I have found that the best way to engage students and maintain progress is not to keep too strictly to any one method, but to find what best suits each individual. I also incorporate a mix of transcribed fiddle tunes and/or popular music pieces to provide variety and keep the material fun! Read More

Instruments: Violin, Cello, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Recorder, Euphonium, Music

I have played musical instruments since I was 11 years old when I began on the clarinet. I was that child who always wanted to play everyone else's instrument too, so when I grew up I became a music teacher so that I could learn them all. I have taught music in the elementary schools for nearly 10 years and often take private students on the side. I believe that learning to love making music is the key to success. Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola

My strong point as a teacher is figuring out how each student best learns. Everybody has a different style of learning, and I make sure to cater to the student's needs in that way. My lessons are light-hearted yet very productive. The most important skill for a student to have is to know how to practice efficiently. I set my students up for success by teaching them practice methods as well as looking at small details in the music in order to make them a better player. Read More