Carol Beth L  
Instruments: Violin, Viola
Styles: Classical

I began teaching private violin and viola lessons in 2012, and I greatly enjoy working with my students. They range in age from 3 1/2 to adult, and each one has been unique. After beginning lessons with my first student, teaching a semester of music theory, and teaching a summer camp, I became interested in Suzuki methodology and pedagogy. I find that for younger students especially, this method allows for more parent involvement at an age when many parents want to be more involved, and many children equally appreciate this involvement. My focus is Suzuki and classical music, but each student is a little different, and I try to adapt to each student's needs. One of my newest students is interested in fiddle music, so I have my eye on several songs we can play relatively quickly. Another of my students brought in an extra song to play at her church for Easter, and we worked on it together.

For beginning students, we always start with how to hold the instrument, parts of the instrument and string names, and then begin playing open strings. This may take a few lessons. Placing the left hand fingers is usually the last step before playing an A scale and then Twinkle. Setting a foundation is more important than going quickly, so many of my students spend a number of months on Twinkle before starting to move more quickly with Lightly Row. For more advanced students, I listen to what they are able to play, or open my Suzuki books to help pinpoint their level. If the student has already begun playing songs in another methodology with which they are already comfortable, we start with that. In either case, helping them to improve their violin skills is more important than learning a set repertoire.