Viola Lessons in New Canaan, CT

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

I'm well trained in the Suzuki repertoire and philosophies, however I teach a combination of traditional methods and also have the ability to exclude one or the other. For beginners and young children, I teach note reading simultaneously but separately from the applied side of playing. Holding the violin and bow, for example, are very challenging and require time to focus on them individually. Note reading is done on the side and later these aspects merge so that kids are eventually learning new pieces by reading the music directly. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle Music

I teach out of my home studio in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as well as through Zoom to students worldwide. I have both a Master's and a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where I was concertmaster of the Conservatory Orchestra and the recipient of the full-ride Sergei Barsukov Violin Scholarship. In addition to my private studio, I am an active performer in several professional chamber music ensembles and a Teaching Artist for the Midori & Friends Foundation here in New York, as well as on faculty for Elizabeth Faidley Studios. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

This pedagogy uses the Suzuki repertoire but can also be used with other books. The Suzuki (Japanese) method is one of the most popular in the US. This method establishes strong musical and technical fundamentals. Other methods lead to similar results and can be just as enjoyable and interesting. Some examples are Robert Trorys (British) books or The Sassmannhaus Tradition (German). For older children and adults, I choose appropriate repertoire based on their musical interests, while still focusing on technique. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

I believe in teaching fundamental principles of technique that can be applied universally, and I encourage students to focus on one basic idea at a time. Scales, arpeggios, etudes and other exercises are an important part of daily practice, reinforced by weekly technique classes. In the study of technique, it is critical that students set attainable goals for themselves, and I help them to organize their practice time with this in mind. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Piano Voice

My teaching style is strongly based on the constructivist method of learning. What that means is I prefer to help students by means of demonstrating skills( Left/ right-hand technique, excerpts from music, etc.), to scaffold their learning, and to help them overcome challenges by means of critical thinking and problem-solving. Setting practice goals and also keeping a practice journal is an effective way to keep students on track with their playing development. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola

You can get away with Just fifteen minutes of practice each day and you will still see improvement, but only if it is consistent. For those that aren't necessarily interested in going down that road, that's ok! In the end it's about what is fulfilling to you. I am always more than happy to make our time more exploratory and free form. This is especially important with very young students, though I'd encourage this attitude with all ages. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Ukulele

I typically start violinists with the Suzuki method books and I start my piano and guitar students with the Alfred and Essential Elements books. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp on fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first performance. However, if a student isn't learning effectively from the book they were originally given, I either change the method book or compose my own exercises that I think the student would benefit from. Read More