Private Violin Lessons
My Teaching Philosophy
My philosophy as a teacher is to provide the basic foundations needed for proper violinistic technique, musical score reading, and collaborative playing. I want my students to be confident and competent musicians who feel equally comfortable in solo and ensemble settings.
I aim to foster an environment as a teacher where questions are not just welcomed, but truly encouraged! Putting a musical concept or piece into context encourages becoming a well-rounded and curious musician.
I will provide challenges to students based on their ability level, from Beginner to Intermediate to Advanced. Such challenges can include, but are not limited to: scales & technique exercises, sight-reading skills, etudes, sonatas, show pieces, orchestral excerpts, and concertos.
I am not a “My way or the highway!” teacher. I want each of my students to feel that we are moving towards their specific goals in a highly individualized and personal manner. I welcome feedback from students and their parents/guardians as to what kind of learning techniques best suit them, while also utilizing my background and years of experience and expertise to guide my students along their musical journey. My goal is not just to help my students become great musicians, it is also to help them enjoy the process as much as possible. Learning an instrument helps to develop a skill set that is widely applicable, both within and outside of musical settings.
For parents and guardians: my expectation is that you will be involved in your student’s musical journey just as much as I am. This includes attending all lessons, participating in all practice sessions with them in the Beginner stages, participating in most practice sessions in the Intermediate stages, and participating in some to no practice sessions in the Advanced stages.
Your student will need your support to help them build a consistent practicing framework and routine. As they become more independent and more discerning of their own playing, you can begin to remove yourself from their individual practice sessions. If you are encouraging your student to take up a performing art, you should expect to be at all of their performances.
And as always, if you have any questions or would like any further clarification, please don’t hesitate to ask!
