Violin Lessons in Aurora, IL

Instruments: Guitar Violin Acoustic Guitar

I have always enjoyed music and playing music and found it natural to play for my friends and family. And weather it was in school orchestra, garage band, or friends with guitars, I shared my knowledge with other players. The best part of teaching for me is when I introduce some new material and explain it and the light bulb goes off and the child gets that big eyed look, I see that the student understands it. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For my beginner students who are children, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements and sometimes Lee W. Kikuchi's Musicianship for Strings. Scales and arpeggios follow shortly after. As the student progresses, I follow up with Harvey S. Whistler's Introducing the Positions (this book can also work with adults). Etude books such as Wohlfahrt and Kreutzer come into play when the student is ready. As far as repertiore, I use the first few Suzuki books and Barber's "Soloists for Young Violinists" for my younger students (the latter can also work with adults). Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My first teaching experience dates back to High School when I had the opportunity to coach elementary orchestra students. As a student at University of Colorado at Boulder and DePaul University, I completed String Pedagogy courses which covered all the different elements of teaching from how to manage a private studio to instructing your students. Currently, I teach a group of ten kindergartners at Skinner West Elementary School. This has been the most rewarding and challenging part of my teaching career thus far. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have 17 years of teaching experience starting while I was still in graduate school. My main focus is having students practice regularly, like the piece they are playing, and gain a passion for their instrument. I always play with my students in order for them to gain experience in chamber music as well as to make sure they know their parts well. My students are always encouraged to audition for local youth orchestras, join chamber music groups, and are given opportunities to give recitals. Read More

Instruments: Violin Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Music

Music has been with me since the beginning - my Mother taught Ballet while she was pregnant with me, and at a few months old my parents played tapes of Beethoven, Bach, and Tchaikovsky. At age 3, I began music classes and have not stopped since then. My career as a musician started at the Rockford Music Academy, branching onto many orchestras and camps and wonderful performances. To name a few, I played in the Rockford Youth Symphony Orchestra throughout my high school years, attended the Music Academy of Rockford for 15 years, was selected to perform with The Piano Guys in 2016, and attended many years at Brian Wicklunds Fiddle Camp (my favorite style to play as youll come to know). Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

Piano students: For younger beginners, I like to use the Alfred series. These are the books that I grew up on and I have used them in my own teaching. I like their use of multiple companion books throughout each and every level. For adult beginners, I like to use Alfred's All-In-One adult books, as they feature all of the key elements of the series for younger beginners, simply geared to a more mature learner. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have loved music for as long as I can remember. At three years old I was dancing around my dad’s office as he played Stevie Ray Vaughn. At four I was begging my older brothers to teach me something on their guitars. By eight I was teaching myself “I Want It That Way” on my MIDI keyboard and by nine I finally decided to play the violin through my school orchestra program. Read More