Violin Lessons in Thurmont, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Double Bass Mallet Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I started out at the age of nine playing the trumpet, and continued this for two years before switching to piano. Ultimately, I found my love in playing the guitar, and took lessons for two years. As time went on, I advanced as a guitarist and actually expanded into new musical instruments. I began playing in local rock and r&b bands at the age of 15. These were some of my most influential experiences, as they expanded my musical tastes into jazz fusion, swing, standards and Latin Jazz. After graduating high school, I attended community college and then went to New York to study jazz theory, where I played a few sets with Sweetback in 2000 that led up to being asked to play with the band. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For beginner students who are children, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has grasped the fundamentals, I will introduce solo repertoire suited for his or her first recital performance. I introduce etudes to the students after the student demonstrates the ability to play several simple pieces well. For intermediate and advanced students, I typically do not let them play a piece at a certain grade level until they have finished playing one piece one grade level below that. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

In my teaching method, I am creating a custom plan for every single student. With beginner students, I am starting from the fundamentals and using books: Essential Elements, Suzuki Book 12, one and two octaves scales and etudes by Kreutzer, Wohlfahrt, and Mazas. For all of my students, I am always trying to find the repertoire that they would enjoy to practice. I encourage my students to share what style or particular piece they like and help them to find the right edition or arrangement and learn it. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My teaching style for young beginners is fun and encouraging. I stay very positive to encourage and motivate them. There is nothing like seeing young students staying focused and playing very confidently and feel good about themselves. That is very rewarding to me. I also show them how to practice with a clear demonstration and I like to build them up with good basics like good intonation, accurate rhythm and counting observing the dynamics and bowings carefully. Read More

Instruments: Violin

My teaching experience began while attending graduate school 30 years ago. I have been teaching consistently in my home studio and with the Liya Foundation Summer Music Camp for the past 6 years. At the Liya Summer Camp, I conduct private lessons, sectionals, and assist with orchestra rehearsals. I am a patient, fun loving violin instructor who believes in stretching a student's growth. I emphasize disciplined, consistent practice to improve skills but do not expect perfection. In my opinion, no one ever completely masters the violin. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar

My teaching style is very analytical yet engaging! I try to establish a good relationship before pushing a student. At that point I will ask the student to play to the best of his/her ability. I teach in a style that helps children isolate problem areas, so that they can practice specific excerpts they are struggling with. I also do a lot of ear training and music theory to ensure that students are obtaining well-rounded musical skills. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Music Keyboard

On strings I teach a modified Suzuki method, supplementing pieces of a student-requested style at technical benchmarks. Again, connection to music is critical and one of the ways to gain that is through personal involvement in lesson directions. For children, I teach piano from the Bastien method, whereas adults go with Alfred's All-In-One Course. Voice students will gain foundation through classical training and branch into other styles as they are ready. Read More