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our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference
checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's
employment with us.
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Levels: Beginner to Advanced
In-Home Lessons: Yes
In-Studio Lessons: Yes
Ages: 5 & up
Subjects Taught
Violin, Cello, Music Performance, Music Theory, Fiddle, Upright Bass, Viola
Education
Indiana University - Masters in Arts of Teaching - 2003 - 2007 (Master's degree received)
Indiana University - Viola Performance - 1999 - 2003 (Bachelor's degree received)
Specialties
I teach many different genres of music including classical, blue grass, jazz, soul, gospel, etc.
In teaching music, I start with the fundamentals so that the students is able to play many different styles of music. I also teach with the Suzuki method for those interested in classically performing.
Lesson Details
I am a patient, honest, and versatile teacher. I let the student guide the lessons. I like to talk about expectations to make sure that we are always on the same page. If you wish to take lessons in order to learn how to play for fun, we can do that. If you would like to learn how to play specific songs, I can set you up for that. If you aspire to be first chair in your orchestra, or win a various competitions in your school our around you area, I can instruct you how to do so. For solo
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players, I look to learn from the Suzuki Book series while inserting other concertos, pieces, and etudes that will help to develop your sound. Taking lessons with myself is equivalent to taking an airplane trip. At first, they check the wings, and weight of the plane while making sure that the gas for the plane and the food for the guests are prepared. Upon entering the run way for take off, the plane begins to pick up speed. It starts slow, but then pick up speeds up to 500 mph in order to reach your destination sooner. Lessons with my will be very similar, but not as expensive :) .
My musical journey began in Boston, Massachusetts where I began taking violin lessons with Project STEP. Through this program, I learned to play the violin while also learning theory and ensemble playing. In middle school I switched to the viola and this is when I started to take music more seriously. I auditioned and made it into a touring orchestra where I began touring at the age of 15. During the summers I would tour countries such as Italy, Mexico, and Cuba. I then went to college at
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Indiana University where I continued performing and was introduced to the world of teaching. Through Mimi Zweig, I was able to learn pedagogy techniques and work with the String Academy where I was able to work with students of all ages and performance levels. Inspired by The String Academy and Mimi Zweig; S.O.U.N.D.S. (Students Opening Up New Doors with Strings) was created to maintain the level of what musicians can be, but be more affordable for lower income families. It was a program that worked with elementary school students, and developed their character and musical ability through high school. S.O.U.N.D.S. continues to educate the children of Owen County as a successful non for profit organization. After securing the future development of S.O.U.N.D.S., I moved to Phoenix in order to resurrect a music program in the Roosevelt School District. My time in Phoenix provided me the opportunity to connect my school with organizations that sought to improve the quality of music education in the public school system. My school developed into a musical and joyful campus. I went on to develop honor choirs and rock bands that performed throughout Phoenix. Throughout all of my years working with schools and children, I have kept a few private students to help them develop and learn the joys of music. My students have won numbers competitions and have learned to play in different genres including classical, jazz, rock, blue grass, and soul.
