Viola Lessons West

Instruments: Viola

For beginners, we'll start with the ABCs of Viola, and Hal Leonard's Essential Elements for Strings, along with Suzuki, Vol 1. We'll work on developing skills as a soloist, and simple duets that the student and I can play together. For intermediate students, we'll go further into the Hal Leonard books, and the Suzuki series, 2 octave scales, double stops, vibrato, musical phrasing. It's very important to enjoy the process of learning the viola, so I always want to make it fun! Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola

With consistent practice and lessons I’ve had success with having some of my youngest students start with Mozarts twinkle little star and in 2-3 years play at a very high level with skill, artistry and reading abilities in Suzuki books 4/5 Vivaldi Concertos. Students start off with a box violin to focus on posture and ear training right away. Once some of the fine motor skills are established, we transfer these skills directly to the violin, and begin create sound on the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Viola

I have been teaching students viola/violin both privately and in group settings since I was in high school. I did a teaching internship for a year at the middle school level for a year while in college as well as running all the viola sectionals for my university orchestra as the principal violist for 4 years. After graduating with my bachelors, I did an internship shadowing the high school orchestra director in my college town for 6 months and taught many of their students privately as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Cello, Viola, Trumpet, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer, Harmonica, Recorder, Electric Violin, Fiddle, Piccolo, Oboe, English Horn, Keyboard

I teach combination of the Suzuki method and the Hungarian style (stressing the natural, comfortable, painless, tension free method). For young students, the Suzuki method is great, since the repertoire is all fun! Also the CD that comes with every level is vital! Children enjoy and benefit from that. I am an audiophile, so I can set up students with a quality hifi system on the cheap - this is so vital in Suzuki method, as he stated in his book, Nurtured With Love. Read More

Instruments: Voice, Violin, Viola, Electric Violin

I approach teaching the same way I have been taught. By learning at my own pace and by setting realistic goals that can be met but also keep me challenged. I work with students that way because it can be tailored to any type or level of a student. I also keep in mind what the students are interested in. If they are having fun, it makes meeting those goals easier. Read More