Kathleen M
Instruments: Violin
Styles: Classical
Kathleen M
Instruments: Violin
Styles:
Classical
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 8-80
Master's of Fine Arts - Florida Atlantic University
Bachelor's of Arts - Wichita State University
2011 - Walenta String Quartet scholarship, Second Violin position, Wichita State University Symphony Orchestra
2010-2011 - Violin performance scholarship, Wichita State University Symphony Orchestra
2008 - Espirit de Corps award, Shawnee Mission West Orchestra
With compassion and engagement, I seek to share my love of music with others. A violinist since age six, I initially majored in violin performance and later music education at Wichita State University, where I performed in the Wichita State University Symphony Orchestra. Highlights from my time here include performing with the band Kansas and with the St. Petersburg String Quartet at Carnegie Hall. Though I eventually taught reading and writing at all ages, my love of music remained as my love of teaching grew.
I began teaching violin to beginner-intermediate players as an undergraduate studying music education. My own teachers emphasized a consistent practice schedule and ensured I enjoyed learning, and I seek to do the same with my students. My career in communication led me to teach students of all ages and showed me how to create a comfortable learning environment, look for underlying patterns that cause and block success, and open dialogues throughout the process. Learning the violin is a long road, so we need to enjoy every single note.
My initial lessons for all ages and levels begin with discussing expectations, motivations, and past experiences with music. Lessons should feel engaging fun, and productive.
New players will learn fun ways to read music, feet positions, and hand exercises. Once a foundation is established, we'll learn more advanced skills and solo material.
Beginners and intermediate players will always encounter scales and etudes as well as solo material just challenging enough to learn something new and fun enough they'll practice until they rock it.
I strike a balance between pushing for skill and making sure a student has fun. That balance rests on communication — how invested, listened to, and motivated they feel. To establish that communication, we'll talk each week about progress, concerns, and triumphs.
I also try to find the roots of problems. The reason you're squeezing the bow could be the same reason you're playing faster than the metronome, and I'll be the annoying (metaphorical) speed bump making you slow down and relax.
Most importantly, while the student should feel like they're pushing their limits each week (that's the only way to keep growing), this shouldn't be a grind. We need to celebrate every accomplishment and note.
Check out our A+
Rating from the Better Business Bureau
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson
If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.