Viola Lessons Jefferson County, MO

Instruments: Piano, Violin, Viola, Clarinet

I have been teaching lessons since High School. Back then, I mostly taught beginner students on the Piano. Since College, I have expanded my teaching repertoir to include Piano, Organ, Violin, and Viola. For the past 7 years, I have been teaching and instructing my students on the best practices as blossoming musicians. Nothing can make you a better musician than practice and consistency. No matter what genre of music you are interested in, you must practice.There will always be times were you have toforce yourself to practice (because it won't always be fun), but the gains are never dull.It has been my experience that those students who apply themselves diligently, love to play the songs that they have mastered over and over again. Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola, Electric Violin

For beginning students, children and adults, I start out with my own material that I have created over the past five years. I use it to start technique, note reading, and rhythm. Once the student completes the material, I move them to Suzuki books, etudes, and other pieces. I like to get student input when choosing music. I believe that the student will be more engaged in the lessons and practice when they are playing something that they enjoy. Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola

I enjoy teaching because I am sharing my love for music with my students. The most rewarding part of teaching is watching students grow personally as they learn to play and instrument and improve their musical and technical skills. I have taught every age, from 4 year old beginners to adult students. I've worked with college music majors who are looking for an extra bit of help, and high school students preparing for all-state and all-district auditions. Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola

For beginning students, I incorporate Mimi Zweig's teaching philosophies as well as those from the Suzuki method. From there we build progressively according to the needs of the individual student. I generally follow the ASTA guidelines for recommended literature and progression. The pieces that students play in the beginning are important because they each teach an essential skill for string playing. Once a student has mastered the fundamentals and made enough progress, they are free to help choose which pieces they would like to work on. Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola

The methods I use for teaching primarly depends on the students' style of learning and the level that they are at musically.  For beginning students I use a lot of visual and aural techniques and for more advanced students I build on what they arleady know and challenge them to go further.  I am also familiar with the suzuki method and pop music styles. For beginner students I use the method book "Essential Elements for Strings". Read More