Violin Lessons in Stratmoor Hills, CO

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Saxophone Clarinet

My lessons are structured with attention paid to the fundamentals of each instrument and the fundamentals of music. I have learned that when a student practices a mistake over and over it remains a mistake. I immediately slow the student down and concentrate on just a measure or even two notes to accomplish correct rhythm, fingerings, articulations and phrasing. When the student can successfully play a passage correctly then the work turns into fun music making. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

I have always be so positive with my students I love to see them progress of course in their own pace it's not rushing they will get where they want to but they need to do it the right way . Because if not they will get stock and we don't want that. My students still playing and actually join Orchestras. I always motivate and let them have fun I believe Anyone can play an instrument you need to be perseverant and have a lot of discipline. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My teaching experience began in Webster, South Dakota as their high school band director for 11 years. I was then invited to move back to my college town of Brookings, South Dakota to be their middle school band director. I moved to Sioux Falls and taught in the Catholic School System for a number of years. Then I was fortunate to teach my last 11 years in beautiful southern California where I taught instrumental music at elementary to high school levels. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For young beginners, I use a lot of the Suzuki Method of teaching. Music games, pitch recognition and rhythms are all introduced as games during the lessons. My adults study from a combination of pieces, exercises, scales and duets. I think understanding the pieces you are playing is important so students learn how to recognize key signatures and time signatures. I have many students participate in school orchestra and youth orchestra programs so students are coached on how to prepare, how to audition and learn how to cope with nerves. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

My main focus with string instruments is sound development - how to use the bow properly and get a beautiful sound from the instrument first and foremost. I typically use Sound Innovations for Strings for beginning students, and start supplementing with different repertoire as we get further into lessons. For beginning students, we start with a proper hold, left hand set up, and only after that do we get to using the bow so we can focus on getting the best sound possible out of the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I collaborate with my students to determine their needs and goals. When starting out with beginners, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements for Strings. I then transition to Suzuki repertoire. I also include music individual to each student based on their interests. My methods are flexible and designed to draw out the strengths of each student. I like to have open communication with my students, and I like to get feedback from my students about where they are at so I can meet them there. Read More