Viola Lessons in Kentfield, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola

I believe that keeping my students motivated is a strong factor to achieve things faster. Usually students come to me because they have a true love to music and an especific instrument. I enjoy doing group lessons but I do preffer one by one lessons. There is a better chance to motice each studen's needs and lacks so that I know what kind of information they need to improve it. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My teaching style may be very detailed, but I believe that a certain level of firmness, honesty, as well as kindness is needed to provide a successful violin learning experience. I want each student to be able to have fun while also feeling that they are improving as well. Each student progresses at their own pace and I will tailor my teaching according to each students unique learning abilities. I believe that what is most important for a student isn't winning competitions but is finding their own love and inspiration for the music they are creating. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I tailor my lessons to the needs of the individual student. I use a combination of lesson books, solos and exercises to bring out the best performances my students can achieve at the time. I feel it is important for us to have fun while learning. I also use practice sheets as a motivational tool for children, so they can earn stickers and small prizes for putting the practice time in required to learn the skills needed to continue moving to the next level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Mandolin Recorder Orchestral Percussion Music

It is my joy seeing my students learn from me and become successful in their musical journey. I help my students discover and develop their skill and talent in music. I always encourage my students to go beyond their comfort zone; to show their talents in music, and to share it to the community. I also incorporate games in my teaching. I also give my students an opportunity to choose the music they want to learn and teach it to get their interest. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

For my beginning students, I start out with a mixture of my own exercises, as well as basic songs using open strings, string crossings and rhythms, before moving to songs with basic fingerwork on one string (scale plus rhythm based). I usually supplement this beginning process with Essential Elements, before intruducing the Suzuki Method Book 1, Doflein Method Book 1, and rhythmic exercises from the Kodaly method. For my intermediate students, I use a mixture of Galamian bowing technique, emphasis on etudes and position work, Suzuki method, Barbara Barber scales and rep. books, and level-appropriate classical literature, combined with solo repetoire of the student's interest/choosing. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass

Normally with very young students I start with the parallel study of written music, basic technique and music learned by imitation. It is a question of repeating short fragments of melody and then composing the whole piece piece by piece. This practice is widely used in many musical traditions and leads the student to develop the ear and the memory, that is the main elements of the musical practice. This practice can be applied to all levels from the most basic to the most advanced. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

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. Read More