Violin Lessons in Graterford, PA

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

I am a strings teacher, teaching privately for 10 years and in public schools for 7. I graduated from Elizabethtown College with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education, with a concentration in violin. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Orchestral Conducting at Messiah College. Strings students can expect to improve week to week in their technique. I teach students strong foundational techniques in order to develop their abilities. I use a mixture of both technical exercises and repertoire to help any student to play with freedom, confidence, and expression. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I LOVE to see my students with a SMILE on their face when we together find possible solutions for any technical difficulties they encounter. The beauty and novelty of the solution that emerged in the process of solving complex tasks can bring an astounding joy of creativity. I am convinced that only a creative instructor can foster a creatively thinking student. Therefore, to prepare the student for self-creative activity, I must actively enrich knowledge and share my experience with students, update and design study material depending on intellectual and psychological aspects of students, be aware of their interests and individual traits so that in the future they can use the knowledge and skills to apply not only at school but also in life. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

For the beginning student, I typically suggest a collection of specific studies from an array of sources, some designed simply for technique and others for the development of musical understanding. Naturally, these depend on the individual and their needs. I am most dedicated to facilitating the needs of each individual student and providing them the ability to express their musical ideas clearly and easily. For more advanced students, I will focus on honing technical proficiency and challenging them with new repertoire, preparing them for new musical opportunities, such as youth orchestras, chamber music, recitals, and competitions to further their growth. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My teaching philosophy follows the belief that musical understanding and maturity are easier to discuss once the student is able to execute a variety of technical details. I often say that technique is teaching a student how to make ten shades of blue, but musicality is deciding which shade of blue to use. Musicality can be more subjective than technique, although there are certain guidelines for each period (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.). Read More

Instruments: Violin

For more advanced students, who have an idea of what they want from their lessons, I will typically play less than with beginner students and focus on listening to the skills and techniques they have already developed. This allows us to have more in depth discussions about the finer details of their playing such as expressivity, technicality and really playing music as opposed to simply playing notes on a page. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

I use a variety of methods for my teaching style. I usually have a few method books that I bring to a first lesson, and after meeting the student I will decide on the best one. Once the student has progressed and shows some motivation to be slightly challenged, I'll introduce "popular" music so that the student feels a sense of accomplishment! Music is associated with movies, radio, etc., so to be able to play something recognizable is exciting for the student and the teacher. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Keyboard

Excellent, nurturing Suzuki violin pedagogy - treating music as a mother tongue to absorb, imitate, and engage with - informs my methods for beginning and intermediate students. Gradually, as the student shows readiness, we blend in the traditional yet humane study of expert violin playing and thoughtful musicianship modeled for me in Dorothy DeLay's masterclass. As distinct from many string players, I am also a devoted and accomplished singer. So breathing, posture, phrasing, color, line, and articulation are key to my approaches to making and teaching music, and thus to helping my students x22singx22 through their playing. Read More