Alyssa M
5.0
(2)
Instruments: Violin, Viola, Electric Violin, Fiddle, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Showtunes, Soul
Alyssa M
5.0
(2)
Instruments: Violin, Viola, Electric Violin, Fiddle, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Showtunes, Soul
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Hello! My name is Alyssa. I can't wait to meet you! Experience: I've been teaching stringed instruments for over 6 years to many ages. I focus on the Suzuki method with the young children and I believe in strong fundamentals. Ear training is a wonderful gift that comes with the discipline of violin study. As the student's ear gets stronger, improvisational techniques can be taught. This allows for broader musicianship and enjoyment in learning. I also encourage my students to memorize each piece of music. For the grade-school students, this can help them build the tools and confidence necessary to succeed in the classroom outside of music. Music education can be useful in all areas of one's life. Performance: I've been performing with the violin for nearly 20 years. I've played with the Hershey Symphony, Penn State's Philharmonic Orchestra, various chamber groups, and many types of bands across a large variety of genres. I've fallen in love with performing in NYC rock bands as well as writing music for R&B artists. Education: Penn State University - Bachelor's of Music Interests: I've studied adolescent development, child psychology and music education during my time at Penn State University.
I began teaching at the age of 17 years old and started a strings program with the founder of Akoustikos. I began teaching the Suzuki method and I love to hold group lessons as it encourages and fosters healthy growth. Since then, I have taught all over Pennsylvania and extensively studied different teaching methods to build a flexible program that is best for the student! I also love to transcribe music that student's love because it has many benefits including fun! It's very important that each student has an individualized curriculum.
I love to begin with the Suzuki method but is all dependent upon each individual student and their learning style! My initial priority is to make sure student's understand the fundamentals of violin technique. Along with technique is extensive ear training. This will lead to flexibility such as being able to improvise in a vast amount of genres. This fosters a long and engaging relationship with music and the violin. Sheet music is very secondary in the way I like to teach. However, it really does depend on each individual's learning style and their goals. I just want to make sure we are making progress toward's a student's goals through engaging content.
Music can be a very intimate practice. To share, create and collaborate can be challenging if not fostered in the beginning of musical education. Lending students a safe and educational place to create can lead to great confidence that spans all areas of life and study. Because of this, I encourage involvement in the community where possible. For instance, I most recently had my violin students collaborate with the local youth guitar orchestra to perform a small concert series. I challenged my students to ideate and take a hands on approach to arranging the music. The relationships they built were forever lasting, the skills the gained were expansive and each witnessed their own improvement with excitement. Engagement fosters a higher-level of learning and development. A note to parents - especially of young children: Fostering creativity leads to development but it can only grow from the fundamentals. The more tools in the box, the more one can create. Some discipline is needed to gain the understanding necessary to reach any level of freedom. In the early stages of a musical program I rely on parental involvement. We may not force our children to practice but repetition is key and encouragement is necessary. Violin is not an easy instrument. It takes a lot of focus but focus has great benefits outside of musical education, such as personal development or improvement of grades in school. This may require a daily commitment in the beginning but as the student gains the practice skills and adheres to a routine, your involvement will lessen substantially. Positive reinforcement and excited encouragement will set them up for success! Let's all grow together.
Joel Jeffrey
I've currently had 5 lessons with Alyssa and they have all been fantastic. She's been patient and understanding of my abilities, Alyssa also creates an environment of learning and growth. She has done a great job at giving me a list of tasks to practice to help me become a better violinist at a rate I'm very comfortable with. I'd recommend Alyssa for anyone seeking to learn the Violin, as an adult beginner myself I feel she does a great job creating a great learning environment that I'm very happy with!
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