Violin Lessons in Darien, CT

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

Instruments: Violin Viola Fiddle Music

My first violin student started with me 9 years ago during my undergraduate studies in Utah. I realized that teaching is much different than performing and started taking classes to be a better instructor. I grew up studying the Suzuki books and have registered Violin Teacher Training Units 1-4 with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. In college, I studied Violin Pedagogy with the esteemed pedagogue Dr. Kasia Sokol-Borup who demonstrated how to enhance the Suzuki method with other styles of teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Fiddle

I love to do a combination of Suzuki and traditional styles. I believe ear-training and traditional sight-reading are both crucial to young musicians. I began Suzuki piano when I was five and I'm so thankful to have such a keen ear as a professional violinist. If the student has had music lessons before, I'm very happy to continue teaching whatever method they had previously started with. I believe method should be catered to the student and the student's needs as a beginning/intermediate musician. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

For the past two years I have worked alternately as a private violin teacher, and as a private music theory tutor for students in New York City and Philadelphia, my hometown. I have taught both children and adult students, and embrace the challenges that each age group presents. I recently completed my undergraduate training at the New School where I studied violin performance with an emphasis on Jazz and Contemporary Music. Read More

Instruments: Voice Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

Music should not be boring or intimidating, so I teach to my students' personalities and their comfort levels. I will ask my students to try rigorous exercizes but I will do so in a manner that is fun and rewarding, not exhausting. I enjoy adding humor to my lessons and I like to keep the mood light and conversational because music is as much about connection and communication as it is about notes. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle Music

I value my ability to tailor lessons and my curriculum to the particular needs and goals of each individual student. I truly believe that there is not a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to learning the violin! I have created my own combination of sequential exercises and repertoire selections, using influences from pedagogues that I have studied under, including Shirley Givens, Bettina Mussumeli, and Elizabeth Faidley, and major pedagogy styles including that of Shinichi Suzuki and Paul Rolland. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

It is extremely important to set realistic goals for each student. I accomplish this by isolating each issue and not trying to spend one lesson addressing everything. Instead of overwhelming the student, I try to set realistic and obtainable goals for each student while retaining the challenge. As the student improves, I gradually start setting more challenging goals according to each student's ability. When the student improves, (s)he becomes more motivated to learn more, which is crucial for continuous development. Read More