San Francisco, CA Viola Lessons

with a variety of bands in my home state of New Mexico, as well as Japan, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Since 2006 I have been an active teacher. This profession has taken me everywhere from working with classical guitar classes 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

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.

mentals. They will discover the joy of music!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home- small house with music stand, well lit, piano, seating for parents  

*** Specialties ***
Violin
Viola
Traditional
Suzuki
Classical
Fiddling

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.

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!