Palo Alto, CA Viola Lessons

sses in New Mexico high schools to Elementary students in Japan to a variety of private students of various musical instruments and genres everywhere I've been. Since relocating to the Bay Area in 2010, I've had the pleasure of working with lots of great students from kids to adults with a wide range of ambitions. Since 2012 I've been running my own full time studio.

Philosophy of Learning

Lessons are generally designed to work towards giving students the tools to accomplish their goals and become increasingly independent over time. While all students will study similar fundamentals regarding technique, theory, and performance, every lesson is as different as every person. What kind of music do you want to make? I'll tell you what you need to do to get there, and help you take the steps to achieve your aspirations.

I also love to help students put together a song, record, and produce it for them so that they can have a recording to share with their friends and family.

I also hold events for my students. (Check out our pictures and videos below!)
Younger students have opportunities to perform for friends and family at my studio every few months. Once or twice a year we'll also stage a larger event off site for more individual students and bands classes to perform.
Adult students also occasionally have events where they get a chance to get together and play music as well.

Aside from in-studio lessons, students also have the option to sign up for online lessons via Skype.
(*Online lessons offered during different times than in-studio lessons.)

*Unfortunately due to scheduling issues, I'm not currently accepting students for bi-weekly lessons. I can do regular weekly lessons, or occasional drop-in lessons, but bi-weekly appointments make it really hard for me to give the best scheduled times to my existing weekly students. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

My studio is equipped with:

*Music Stands

*A P.A. System

*Vocal and instrument microphones

*Guitars, Basses, Ukulele, Banjos, etc

*Two guitar amps and a bass amp

*Various percussion including a fully equipped acoustic drum set

*A Roland V-Drums electronic drum set

*An electric piano console and Yamaha organ

*A MicroKorg Synthesizer

*A Tuba, Trombone, Cornet, Saxophone, and Flute

*An extensive physical and virtual music library

*A recording system that students are not only welcome to use but encouraged to

*HD Webcam and condenser microphone for high fidelity online lessons via Skype

ickly learn the basics and start playing familiar melodies. I teach memorization techniques to develop a performing repertoire.
In addition, my students develop abilities in rhythm, melody, harmony, understanding of theory, and improvisation. I also help with school orchestra practice and audition preparation.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Dedicated Music Space, desk, piano, recording equipment, music stands, couch for parents to observe and wait or participate.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect the student to provide their own violin and bow, music stand and a notebook. Students may also need to purchase sheet music/music books. I will provide basic recording equipment (audio and video), and pre-recorded piano or orchestra accompaniment. A live piano accompanist is available for recitals and pre-recital rehearsals.

*** Specialties ***
Classical Violin, Viola
Fiddle - Klezmer, American, Celtic
Piano - beginning and intermediate levels
Music Theory, Ear Training, Sight Reading, Improvisation.

d also maintained my own private violin and viola studio. I was also awarded the McCracken Scholarship Award for Excellence in Music Education. The most rewarding part of teaching has been seeing my students continually improve and reach their goals!

In addition to teaching, I also am an avid performer. I have been a member of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra for 7 years and was a member of the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. I perform as a soloist, in chamber groups, and in orchestras regularly at various events and concerts. In the past few years I have attended international chamber music festivals in Prague, Czech Republic and in Lucca, Italy. I have also had the opportunity to perform with some of the world’s most renowned musicians including Itzhak Perlman, Midori, and Gil Shaham in additional to performing in the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and in Carnegie Hall in New York City. Studying music has provided me with many wonderful opportunities to learn and to grow. It is my goal to help students really love and enjoy playing music and develop the skills that allow us to share the magic of beautiful sound. Maintaining a high level of mastery as well as continuing to learn about the art of teaching are fundamentally equal and of highest priority for me. Through teaching music, I hope to inspire students and help them reach their potential.

*** Lesson Details ***
My teaching style is relaxed and understanding of where each student is at, while always maintaining a quick pace for learning new skills and always expecting the student to put forth their best effort. I am very encouraging and positive. I work with each student and his or her parents to determine short and long term goals and try to best provide the materials, instruction and motivation to achieve those goals!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the living room, well lit, piano, music stands

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching classical music but I also teach bluegrass and fiddle. I particularly like the Suzuki Method for beginning to intermediate students, but when they become more advanced I begin to incorporate concertos and sonatas.

edlands College Orchestra, the Riverside Symphony, the Palomar Symphony, and the North Coast Symphony in San Diego. I am currently playing with the Timpanogos Symphony in Highland Utah.
I played guitar with the Woody James big band and with the big band and hall of fame orchestra. I've played classical guitar for weddings and dinner parties. I played guitar with the variety band "Sound Investment" and other rock, blues and jazz bands
My theater performance experience includes play violin for Annie, Hello Dolly, Chess, Cinderella and more. I also played guitar in theater performances of Les Miserable, Man of La Mancha, Hairspray, Marvelous Wonderettes, and Catch Me if You Can.
My studio, The Speedy Beers Music Studio is a highly professional studio equipped with computer, recording equipment and video lighting and camera for making highly professional videos.
I teach all styles of music on the guitar and violin including classical, jazz,rock, blues, country, folk and fiddle. I have a strong back ground in applied music theory that works for all instruments.
I have a Bachelors degree from the University of Redlands and I have studied privately from some of the best teachers in the world.

and has received grants from the Rauschenberg Foundation, Department of Cultural Affairs, Brooklyn Arts Council, the Charles Mayer Foundation as well as The Roothbert Fund.

She loves dogs, hiking, cooking and gardening! She tailors her private lessons to individual students goals and needs.

practice is crucial if you are looking to advance in your craft.

I always hope to open the eyes of my students and teach that confidence, determination and hard work can not only progress them in learning an instrument, but with most skills in life. Most importantly I never want my students to feel that music is a burden! I want them to always enjoy themselves when they are practicing or performing.

I don't provide instruments or the accessories that go along with it, so please be prepared to have those things before our first lesson. I may also provide a list of sheet music to order after our first lesson if I feel we do not have the necessary materials.

I only travel to homes in the city of San Francisco for lessons at least an hour in length. If you live outside of the city in the Bay Area, you are more then welcome to find a time to come to my studio for lessons.

I do not teach beginners online (via Skype), as I believe it is vital to have an instructor in the room in order to make physical adjustments to maintain proper bow hold, posture, and left hand positioning. I'm more than happy to teach intermediate-advanced students online!

My Performance Bio:

Sam is a native born South Dakotan who began his viola studies at the age of ten. He started taking private lessons at the age of fourteen with his teachers Coral White, and Carol Knowles. Eventually, at the age of eighteen, he continued his studies with Kate Weeks in South Dakota.

Sam is a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he studied viola with Jodi Levitz. He worked closely with Mark Sokol and Bettina Mussemeli as chamber music professors, and studied orchestral excerpts with Katie Kadarauch, Don Erlich, Scott Sandmeier and Adam Smyla. He has performed in master classes for David Kim, Helen Callus, Jay Liu, Jonathan Vinocour, Jerzy Kosmala, Hank Dutt, William Goodwin, Jackie Schwandt, and Kelly Hall-Tompkins.

Mr. Sam was the principle violist of the South Dakota All State Orchestra from 2007-2009, principle violist of the J. Laiten Weed Honors Orchestra from 2008-2010, and associate principal of the Black Hills Symphony from 2006-2010. In 2008, he was the 1st prize winner of the Lucy Palermo Weed String Competition, and won South Dakota's ASTA viola division. Two years later, he received the Henry Charles Smith Award in the SDSO's Young Musician's Competition, and also claimed 2nd prize in the BHSO's Young Artist Competition. Sam is also the former principle violist of the San Francisco Youth Orchestra which toured Germany, Austria and Luxembourg in the summer of 2012. Featured performances took place in the concert halls at the Gastieg in Munich, Berlin Philharmonic and at the Rheingau Musik Festival. In 2013-2014, Sam was the principle violist of the San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra.

In 2011-2012, he was invited in to the Orlando Chamber Soloists, which is now known as the Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills. In summer of 2015, he joined UFOMT as a violinist and violist performing operas, musicals, orchestral programs, and a chamber music series. Recently, he began performing with the band Evanescence. In summer of 2018, he was invited to join the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a guest artist in a workshop for young composers. He currently works throughout the San Francisco Bay Area as a teacher, soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician.

His dream is to revive interest in Western Art Music so that is once again accessible to every human who is curious. He never wants music to be a burden for his students, and hopes that teaching the benefits of preparation, confidence, focus and determination can inspire his students in all areas of their lives. He loves working with his students on what they are interested in, and aims to enhance them with the technical and musical facility they need in order to play beautifully.

hrasing, bowing, positions and and shares her passion for music. In addition, she will provide instruction on music theory and music history as part of instrumental lessons as it applies.

Susanna received her training at State University of New York at Purchase in 1991, where she received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Music. In addition, she attended the University of Denver, Lamont School of Music in 2000 where she received a Masters in Music. She has studied with Sol Grietzer, Karen Dreyfus and Basil Vendryes. In addition, she received her Music Education K-12 Certification in 1995 from Carnegie Mellon University.

As an expert in her field, Susanna looks forward to helping new students achieve their goals. Her teaching style is positive, supportive, patient and constructive, focused on the individual student's needs, and enjoyable. She will work at your pace and cares about each of her students. Susanna works with students from ages 7 through adults and believes you are never to old to learn.

I recommend weekly lessons for all students to ensure good progress. I can provide information on purchasing or renting an instrument, if needed. You can check my availability on my schedule and sign up for lessons with TakeLessons.com. Please message me with any questions or about available times for lessons. I will respond quickly. Thank you for your interest and consideration.

ed a lot of music by contemporary composers, in groups like Network for New Music and Orchestra 2001 in Philadelphia, as well as Left Coast Chamber Ensemble in the Bay area. Some special tours I went on were with the Philip Glass Ensemble and with Tan Dun, the composer of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

My own compositional adventures started in the the late 1990's when I started improvising with a DJ mix in a small club. Since then I have experimented a lot with pickups and electric violin. I've created surround sound collages, improvised music for modern dance, and learned digital audio editing skills. I am knowledgable about Pro Tools and Ableton Live. If you are interested in electric violin, looping or using MIDI effects, I can share what I've learned about these things.

You can make music and be creative no matter what playing level you are on. I believe in having fun as you learn, and I stress learning by example and by ear. Reading music is good, too, but often that gets in the way of listening. We will build a foundation step by step and add on elements when you are ready. Also - I can help you be relaxed as you play. I have never had tendonitis or another occupational injury, thanks to good posture and technique. Body awareness is part of the process. Let's have fun- - you can do this!

NOTE: for students age 7 to 12, I require the parent to be present at the lesson and take an active interest in the student's progress. Also, the child must want to play this instrument.

instrument so that they are free to play musically and expressively with confidence!

I teach violin and viola students of all different ages and experience levels. I've studied classical violin for 24 years. I can teach students to read music and pursue excellence in a traditional classical way, or I can teach students how to play their favorite pop tunes, depending on students' personal goals.

I currently serve as concertmaster of the Mozart to Mendelssohn Orchestra in San Francisco, lead chamber music nights with the SF Civic Music Association, and play gigs around the Bay Area. I love being a part of community music-making and believe that the benefits of music education reach far beyond the instrument itself to social and cognitive skills, confidence, and creativity.

My personal passion is classical music but the kind of technique I teach applies to all styles, and I am experienced teaching fiddling, pop music, or whatever music inspires you. I look forward to meeting you and helping you to become a better musician!