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do. She earned her Masters in Violin Performance from the University of Nevada, studying with Philip Ruder, and Bachelors of Music under Kathryn Lucktenberg at the University of Oregon. Additionally, she studied viola with Yuval Gotlibovitch at Indiana University during her doctoral program in Ethnomusicology.

a unique and extremely well rounded musician. Currently Armen resides in Los Angeles, CA where he is active with various orchestras, including the LA Opera.

He also routinely performs for sound track recordings with the major motion picture companies. In addition, Armen has worked with many well-known artists including Ray Charles, Barry White, Yanni, Sarah Brightman, Natalie Cole, Andrea Bocelli and many others. Here is a list of artists Armen M. has performed with: Yanni, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Frank Sinatra Jr., Andrea Bocelli, Olga Tañon, Jose-Jose, Lucero, Cristian Castro, Alanis Morissette and Marco Antonio Solis.

We are on!

*** Lesson Details ***
I am very strict and laid back at the same time. I pay a lot of attention to the technical detailes

.The curriculum is based on the level the student is presently. It reneges from simple scale books to Paganini caprices.

I encourage every student to have at list two recitals a year. Lessons are very intense and productive and i welcome you to my studio.

*** Studio Equipment ***
1) Music room w/ piano and seating for parents

2) Office room w/ seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
violin and music

*** Specialties ***
European/Russian violin school

are unique for three main reasons:

1. I have a very deep understanding of music, sound, and theory, and feel music to be one of my native languages.

2. I have devoted considerable amounts of time and energy studying neuroscience, which has greatly improved my understanding of the learning process.

3. I have been blessed with the tremendous amount of patience necessary to guide a student through the necessary steps it takes to learn at whatever pace is optimal, in order to maximize the efficiency of the learning process for each individual.

*** Equipment ***
Students must have their own instrument, and purchase their own materials (books, etc). From time to time I make my way to a local music shop, and am happy to purchase materials for reimbursement.

*** Specialties ***
Classical music is my background, and what I believe to be the most cognitively and emotionally fulfilling style of music to study and play. That said, I'm also a big fan of pop music (as well as other genres), and encourage students to enjoy learning their favorite songs from the radio.

My understanding of music theory is extremely thorough, and I'm happy to incorporate as much or as little of it as the student's interest dictates, nevertheless maintaining the minimal amount of theory necessary to get the most out of learning music and the instrument.

Thanks for checking out my profile! Please contact me with any additional questions you may have, as well as to inquire about day/time availability. I'll do my best to get back to you right away (usually within a few hours).

ving also studied viola, in 2010.

TEACHING
Mainari Music Studio - Violin & Viola private lessons. 2002-Present
Violin Coach & Assistant Conductor for the Community Youth Orchestra of Southern California (CYOSC) 2010-Present
TakeLessons.com teacher. 2015-Present
Musika teacher. 2010-2016
Assistant Orchestra Director to St. Margaret's Episcopal School. 2012-2013 school year
McCourt's School of Music in Waterford, MI. 2006-2010
Eastern Michigan University - Orchestra Graduate Assistant. 2008-2010
Schaeffer's House of Music in Howell, MI. 2007-2009
Director of Beginning and Intermediate Orchestras for Oakland Homeschool Music, Inc. (OHMI) in Waterford, MI. 2005-2006
Orchestra mentor in high school.

PERFORMING
Saddleback Master Chorale
Community Youth Orchestra of Southern California
Orchestra of St. Margaret's
Eastern Michigan University's Symphony Orchestra, concertmaster 2007-2008.
Eastern Michigan University's Collegium Musicum (chamber music)
Various chamber groups for weddings and other gigs since high school
All division 1 ratings for Solo & Ensemble performances as a soloist from middle through high school
First student from my school district accepted to the Michigan Youth Arts Festival (MYAF)
Studied violin with Myra Drean, Martha Windscheif, Prof. Daniel Foster, and Gabe Bolkosky
Studied viola with Prof. Eva Stern
Began playing violin in 5th grade, first generation of string players in my school district at that grade
Have studied Violin with Myra Drean, Martha Windscheif, Prof. Daniel Foster, and Gabriel Bolkosky; Viola with Prof. Eva Stern; and Music Theory with Dr. Marilyn Saker and Dr. Anthony Iannaccone.

Lessons with me...

I'm passionate about music and its many benefits, both academically, emotionally, and physically. I love to share my joy with my students in a fun, collaborative way that is professional and enjoyable. The pace is determined by the goals of the student, and materials are tailor-made to suit your preferences. Classical instruction is essential for proper technique, but branching out to Celtic fiddle or movie soundtracks is a definite option!

I recommend weekly lessons, and a minimum daily practice plan is required. Younger students should do 30-minute lessons, but around 10-years old, I require 45-60 minute lessons. Serious students preferred.

*** Lesson Details ***
Typical 30-minute lesson:
10 minutes - Scales & Arpeggios
20 minutes - Solo Repertoire

Typical 45-minute lesson:
10 minutes - Scales & Arpeggios
15 minutes - Etude, Music Theory, or Orchestra Music
20 minutes - Solo Repertoire

Typical 60-minute lesson:
10 minutes - Scales & Arpeggios
20 minutes - Etude, Music Theory, or Orchestra Music
30 minutes - Solo Repertoire

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music stand, tuner, metronome, pencil

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will bring my own instrument and accessories, as well as some extra music.

Students are expected to have their own music stand, tuner/metronome, instrument and accessories, and all lesson materials/music. Online students must be able to tune their own instrument, or have a parent present who can tune their instrument for them.

*** Specialties ***
Solo performance preparation
Chamber music performance preparation
College auditions
Orchestra auditions
Chamber music coaching
Recital performances
Note reading tutoring
Music theory tutoring

ttsburgh Threshold Choir, a group of women who sing at the bedsides of people who are very ill or dying.

Lessons with Cindy are self-directed with coaching intended to help the student accomplish his or her personal objectives. She will ask you to provide examples of music that you love so much that you'd be willing to work hard to learn to play it, and you will find yourself working on that music right from the start. Technique is taught in the context of the music: if you need a technique for a particular song, you will learn that technique. And of course once you've mastered a technique it's yours to use on the next song or tune and the next. It's a constant process of enjoying the music and discovering and mastering the technique needed to recreate it in your own playing or singing.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons start with a review of the work you've been doing. We might take that song or tune to the next level with a new technique, or we might apply technique you've already learned to a new piece. Every lesson is different, customized to the needs of the student at that moment.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Instruments, audio and video recording equipment

*** Travel Equipment ***
Instruments, audio and video recording equipment as needed

fright! I work with you to play the music you enjoy and set your own goals, and I look forward to helping you reach them... It's what I love about what I do.

I began my violin studies at age 9, with my public school string program. I continued through high school and into college, playing and singing with auditioned district ensembles, school musicals, and chamber choirs, coming in as runner up in my high school's concerto competition, landing a full-tuition scholarship, and performing twice in Carnegie Hall. I studied opera, vocal pedagogy, and passed my piano proficiency exam from the advanced class.

In 2003, I earned my violin performance degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and soon after, joined the Kansas City-based Celtic folk group, Tullamore. I have enjoyed 13 seasons with this lauded regional group, playing countless esteemed Celtic festivals across the country and embarking on five international tours of Ireland and Scotland, as well as a Caribbean cruise hosted for our fans. Our sixth international tour is scheduled for 2019 in Scotland.

In 2014, I relocated to Hampton, Virginia, where I auditioned for the Hampton Roads Philharmonic, and currently play as a first violinist.

From 2015-2018, I had the joy of fiddling and singing with Brackish Water Jamboree, an award-winning Americana band, featured on NPR's Blue Plate Special and Out of the Box series with Paul Shugrue, and host of the NorFOLK Festival.

Throughout this time, I have enjoyed teaching a full and enriching music studio of students: hosting recitals, open mics, and ensemble rehearsals, and watching students achieve goals they didn't know were even possible. I continue to teach online via Skype, Zoom, and TakeLessons Classroom, and I look forward to working with you to accomplish your own musical aspirations!

ss the United States at events such as the International Trumpet Guild Conference. He currently serves as the Albemarle Road Middle School and Crestdale Middle School Director of Strings as well as teaching private lessons in wind and string instruments. He is a member of the National Association for Music Educators, the International Trumpet Guild, as well as the American String Teachers Association.

pend much of my classical technique in order to play both old-time and traditional Irish fiddle as authentically as possible; but I still retain my initial training and apply good basic violin technique to my fiddle and (of course) her violin teaching, while tailoring it to the musical idioms of each of students.

I have also studied voice, which again, however, I have never allowed to interfere with my performance of traditional songs--largely because I had developed a traditional approach to the singing of both American southern mountain repertory and traditional Irish song many years before receiving any formal instruction. This training, however, has given me greater insight into how to get the most out of your voice for almost any style.

I also taught myself to play lap dulcimer, basing my approach on the Eastern Kentucky styles associated with Jean Ritchie, Barbara Edwards, and Anne MacFie—that is, primarily using a small dowel stick or noter to sound the melody, and playing counter-melodies for song accompaniments.

My clawhammer banjo-playing is influenced by various Appalachian instrumentalists and accompanists (including Dock Boggs, Clarence Ashley, Hobart Smith, and Lily May Ledford), but my style is also influenced by years of playing with midwestern and southern-style fiddlers.

I welcome students ages 10 or above, and have learned to adapt my teaching style to the individual student, helping each one to make the most of his or her talents and enthusiasms, while emphasizing sound technique and good practice habits.