Siarra R  
Instruments: Violin, Electric Violin
Styles: Classical, Pop, Folk

I began teaching privately at the age of 17, as a way to expand my knowledge and experience. Of the jobs I have and have had, teaching is by far my favorite. I feel that it not only helps my students to grow, but for me to grow as well. I love to teach students who are early on in their career, as it is easier to develop better habits and to fix any bad ones that may have formed prior to my teaching them. I especially love to teach those who are beginning because, throughout my teaching, I really emphasize having correct body alignment, posture, and just an overall solid physical foundation, as that really sets up the students for a better and healthier musical career in the long run. However, if a student is farther along in their musical career, there is no need to fear, because I love teaching all levels, and it is just as possible to teach that physical foundation in a student that is farther along as it is to teach someone who has a fresh start.

The first lesson with every student is always some sort of variation of getting to know each other, finding out what level the student is at, why they are taking lessons, what they want out of the lessons, etc. For any new student coming to me, no matter how advanced, I always start with a fresh slate with posture. I have had serious health issues in the past due to improper posture that my teachers never knew to correct until the damage had already been done, which is why proper body alignment is so important to me in my lessons with my students. I always want them to be healthy in their playing and have as long of a musical career as they desire. As far as repertoire is concerned, no matter what style the student comes to me with wanting to learn, I always set a classical foundation (but we don't have to focus on it), as I believe that is where proper and healthy technique comes from for all other styles to be played the best they can be. But, we do not have to focus on it or even make it the majority of our work, just something to always be able to circle back to. A typical lesson starts off with 2-3 scales for warm-ups, partially to get a feel for where our minds and bodies are for the day (because every lesson is different). Then I usually like to go into some technical work that pertains to what our goals are for technique, and the rest of the lesson is more dependent on what the student would like to do, as it is their lesson, not mine. No matter what, I always try to end the lesson with something good, because I find the last few minutes of the lesson are what the student takes home with them. If they take home something negative, it is less likely that they will feel the desire to play or practice or look forward to the next lesson. Whereas if they leave with a feeling of accomplishment or improvement, I find more beneficial effects take place throughout the week and during the next lesson.