Voice Lessons in Seattle, WA

Instruments: Voice Violin

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
To my knowledge, none of my students have performed frequently competitively.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
In my opinion, pitch is the most difficult thing to master on the violin. It is something that will always be worked on, and is the most important factor in producing a beautiful sound.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
Essential Elements, because they really teach the basics to beginners.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Beginning with scales and etudes for 20 minutes, then continuing on to a designated section of a piece for the next 40 minutes.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I do not have a Music Degree - I felt that the Liberal Studies degree gave me a great breadth and variety of knowledge while still allowing me to incorporate music into many aspects of my education.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
My dream piece to perform is the Sibelius Violin Concerto. It is very nuanced and complex, and has the perfect balance between technical virtuosity and emotional maturity.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I would be pursuing a career as a Mental Health Counselor.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Classical, because it forms the solid technique upon which all other genres can be mastered.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I am also an amateur vocalist, which I was inspired to become after listening to numerous talented and virtuosic vocalists.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My paternal grandmother was a pianist, my maternal great-grandfather was a fiddler, my father has experience as a vocalist, and my mother was a professional vocalist. I also have numerous cousins that are musicians in various instruments, such as voice, piano, guitar, and flute.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
This has been a gradual decision for me. I have been performing semi-professionally since I was in high school, went down a different path towards Mental Health Counseling, and recently chose to return to pursuing music as a full-time career.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
The child expresses interest in the instrument and shows a good amount of discipline and motivation in other aspects of life.

When will I start to see results?
There will be results by the end of the third lesson.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My first violin teacher greatly inspired me, on both a personal and a musical level. He was an amazing musician and was very personable with me, and I always left my lessons with him feeling inspired and excited, albeit exhausted.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am most proud of soloing with orchestras. There is no greater feeling than standing before an orchestra and knowing they are all playing for me.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I chose my primary instrument because I loved the way it sounded and the way it looked when being performed on. I also had a relationship with my violin teacher prior to beginning lessons.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Break the piece you are working on into smaller components and tackle one at a time, slowly, before bringing it all together.

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