As a teacher, my most central goal is to help guide you in developing a meaningful, mindful, and loving relationship with becoming/being a skilled violinist.
Having been primarily raised as a classically raised violinist, yet having never found myself fitting the bill of being any sort of ‘child prodigy’ or as ‘naturally gifted’ when I was first called to the instrument at a young age, I have spent a whole lot of my musical career thinking about the most efficient means of learning, practicing, listening, and studying in effort to pursue music in the way I had always dreamed of as a full-time performing, touring, recording, and teaching violinist.
I have many years of experience teaching students from kindergartners to retirees, both in-person and online. My students currently include adults who are totally brand new to making music, children I’ve started on the instrument as young as 4 years old, advanced high school students, experienced musicians looking to gain a basic set-up and understanding on strings/fiddle, adults who are finding their way back to the instrument after many years away, and so many other scenarios in between.
In borrowing core principles from the teachings of legendary pedagogues Ivan Galamian and Shinichi Suzuki, the prioritization and achievement of comfort and efficiency are of the utmost importance when working to develop skills and ability as a violinist. I, as a teacher and performer who has made this idea paramount for myself for many years, firmly believe this is achievable both physically and mentally for all. In setting this goal as the central fixture in my work with all of my students, I believe in building a foundation of good technique and capability rooted around the core tenets of body mapping, optimized practice strategies, ear training, and informed musicality.
If you’re interested in having a trial lesson or in studying violin with me, I’d love to hear from you!
Aside from longer standing weekly commitments, I am also happy to give a shorter series of lessons to focus on a specific technique, tune/piece, or in giving beginners with other musical experience an initial trial period in achieving a solid set-up.
Virtual and in-person options are both welcome and available. I give in-person lessons in New York City (Sunday-Wednesday) and from my studio based in Rhinebeck, NY (Thursday-Friday).
Please see my studio policy document below for more information on my teaching practice: