Kathleen S
5.0
(4)
Instruments: Piano, Violin, Viola, Mandolin, Recorder, Electric Violin, Fiddle
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Showtunes, Spirituals, Latin Jazz, Swing, Soul, Mariachi, Avant-garde
Kathleen S
5.0
(4)
Instruments: Piano, Violin, Viola, Mandolin, Recorder, Electric Violin, Fiddle
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Showtunes, Spirituals, Latin Jazz, Swing, Soul, Mariachi, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 4-80
B.A. With Honors, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, magna cum laude Extensive Graduate work in Violin and Viola Performance (60+ hours), St. Louis Conservatory of Music, St. Louis, MO Work with the Baltimore Baroque Band, Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, MD Courses in Special Education and Classroom Management, Hunter College, New York, NY. Graduate Work in Early Childhood Education, Hunter College, New York, NY.
St. Louis University President's Honor Scholarships (2 years)
Danforth Foundation St. Louis Metropolitan Leadership Fellowships (2years)
Phi Beta Kappa; Alpha Sigma Nu (Jesuit Honor Society)
Performances in Carnegie and Alice Tulley Halls, NY and Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.in addition to 25+ years of orchestral and commercial work; performances with such artists as Julie Andrews, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams,Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Bob Hope, Bernadette Peters, Rod Stewart, etc.
Currently perform throughout country as lead violinist with Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra (big band); duo with the Cmmander o the U.S. Army Strings; freelance in Washington, D.C., and New York metropolitan areas.
My studio is in Olympia, and I travel to students' homes in the Seattle area including Bainbridge Island and Bremerton. I am a member of the Musicians' Association of Seattle and the American String Teachers' Association. Music has played a vital, formative role in my life for as long as I can remember. My parents are both excellent musicians. I started piano lessons at the age of 5 and began studying violin when I was nine. Although I am classically trained and have extensive orchestral experience as a violinist and violist, I was a founding member of an Irish group and several early music ensembles, performed with folk and classical guitarists, and played in a rock and roll nightclub band. I continue to play in many churches and synagogues, do strolling violin work, perform jazz standards, and act as lead violin in an internationally acclaimed big band. I am flexible as a player and teacher and love all types of music. I see music as a wonderful means of communication and a gift to be shared!
I have been teaching violin for 30 years, starting as a bluegrass and Irish fiddle teacher in a folk music store run by a family of performers who were related to the von Trapps of The Sound of Music fame. Since then, I have tried to continually grow as a performer, musician, and teacher. I have collected a vast amount of muic and resource materials along the way, so I am able to meet each student's needs--from child-friendly beginning repertoire, holiday music, fiddle tunes and jazz standards, to concertos and orchestral excerpts for youth and college orchestra auditions and beyond! While I teach to the ages, personalities, interests, and abilities of each individual, I stress a solid technical foundation that enables the student to progrss, develop musically, and enjoy a lifetime of playing.
I use Samuel Applebaum's String Builder books 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 use ConcertTunes books 1 and 2 by Dale Brubaker for first (immediate) solos that reinforce note reading and other instruction. I have other very child-friendly books for young beginners and use Fiddle Magic and String Rhythms by Sally O'Reilly as fun ways to reinforce rhythm and technique. I introduce solos from a variety of sources progressively that complement what is being learned. I try to integrate scales, etudes, and solos for maximum understanding and match the assignments to specific interests and technical needs. I foster and encourage participation in chamber music, group recitals, and school and youth orchestras.
I try to teach to the personality, strengths, and needs of each individual student: one size does not fit all when it comes to playing instruments! I stress correct posture and technique as a means to an end, which is the ability to progress and enjoy playing. I have taught many students over a period of years--often between 7 and 10+ years. I try to teach in a progressive way with an end goal in mind, while keeping them motivated and engaged and creating opportunities to perform, succeed, and have fun along the way.
Misty Mccormick
Kathy is a great teacher. She make her lessons fun yet challenging. My son loves Kathy, she has so much musical experience she is able to work on the basics all the while keeping them interested and increasing their love for their instrument.
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