Violin Lessons in Bradenton, FL

Instruments: Violin

I began playing violin in fifth grade at age 10 and loved it immediately! I continued to play through college, then began my career as a college English professor while raising my family. While teaching at City University of New York (CCNY) I played with the BMCC Downtown Symphony. After moving to Montclair, NJ I played regularly at St. Mark's Church for eight years before moving to Largo, Florida, where I continue to do orchestras and solo performances. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Flute Piccolo

My teaching style really focuses around developing a love for your instrument. If the student loves their instrument and the music that is written for their instrument, they will feel encouraged to practice. I try to pick up on the student's personality and learning styles and make each person's lesson a combination of my teaching styles and what works best for the student. Once we find the routine and groove that works for the both the student and myself, then the learning should come along easily and fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Bass Guitar Electric Violin Double Bass Music

First lesson I start by assessing what level the student is at and what goals they have with their music and develop a lesson plan from there. I focus first on fundamentals of sound and technique to build a foundation for the student then work on scales and repertoire to get them playing music. From there it is a focus on musicality and performance. A lesson plan for example may be working on solo repertoire by breaking down the piece by focusing on different elements that make the song; the scale, they rhythm, certain patterns by measure, techniques required, etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

For beginning cello students of all ages, I normally use one of my teacher's method books: Cellocity by Helga Winold of Indiana University. As my cello students progress, I slowly introduce smaller pieces that can normally be found in Suzuki method books. After my cello students have advanced significantly, I begin to introduce more complex pieces that are found in the standard cello repertoire. Eventually, my students reach a level where they gain the ability to gauge their experience level and select their own pieces with my approval. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Mandolin Fiddle Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am not interested in any student under 18 years old.  How about the student's PARENTS ? Also, I am not able to go to students' homes. I don't have a car. All my students (Guitar, Violin, mandolin), get a special 4 color chart (of my unique design), with every song/tune they learn. This guards against forgetting the tune in the future. For these students, with my lessons, they can learn 4 Christmas songs > Joy to the World, Deck the Halls, Silent Night, Jingle Bells. + 1 New Year's Eve song > Auld Lang Syne.I have been playing the guitar professionally for over 30 years. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Flute

I try to have a very positive approach to teaching. I believe that if a student is told what they are doing wrong constantly, they will feel like they aren't good enough for the instrument, or they will lose interest. I instead focus on telling them what they are doing right, and offer suggestions on what they need to improve on. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

My main goal in teaching music is to build a good foundation. Not all music students will go on to major in music, and that's OK. Music offers invaluable experiences for everybody involved, and I have seen music change lives. There is a lot of evidence that music helps in school performance and test taking, and there is evidence that music helps to build organizational and critical thinking skills. I like to build a positive relationship with my students, and I encourage progress in order to make students eager to learn more. Read More