Private lessons with top Viola instructors near Washington, DC

In teaching lessons, it is my great pleasure to share with students of all ages and skill levels the knowledge that I've gained over 29 years of playing. I believe it’s my job as a teacher to help you find the most effective way to practice to reach your goals, and to help you find joy in playing. Whether you are just beginning your musical journey, an accomplished player looking for new perspectives, or returning to music after a hiatus, I can help you to meet your goals. In our first lesson, we will determine your musical goals and create a realistic path to achieving them. To maintain focus and week-to-week continuity, I can provide lesson notes to take home. I can also provide recordings of lessons and transcriptions of pieces, if desired. **Studio Equipment** violins, viola, mandolin, guitar, bass, recording equipment

Viola lessons in English and or Spanish for all levels. Vibrato Technic, Shifting Technic, Bow Technic, Note reading skills, Intonation, recital preparation, etc...

I love learning new instruments, and I hope to get you excited about it too! As a first-self-taught and then-formally-trained person, I understand both points of view when teaching and learning music. I believe theory and technique are important, but the joy of playing a lot of different pieces is essential too. What can you expect from lessons? We will start by learning the basics of music theory (this will depend on your music background and how familiar you are with the topic), how to properly hold your instrument, and playing your first pizzicato notes (without a bow). We will then learn how notes work in the violin, finger positions, bowing, and playing our first pieces. We will look at a new piece every class, so that we keep things interesting and move forward in our studies. I believe that the most important thing when playing any instrument is to communicate and have something to say. One can play notes perfectly without saying much, and I want to share with you how you can express yourself through music. This is a big part of performing, and I also think it adds meaning to our practice. In terms of books and resources, I like using the Suzuki Viola method and the Essential Elements for Strings. One thing I really like about Suzuki pieces is that piano accompaniments are available for free online, so it is really fun to play along with those to practice.

Whether you want to play classical viola, alto fiddle traditional tunes, or perform like your favorite pop artists, I can set you on the path to success! My private students range in age from 4 to 40 years old, and I have gone on to become music teachers, composers, and professional musicians. My most influential teachers have been members of The Philadelphia Orchestra and graduates of The Curtis Institute of Music.

My philosophy is to teach the student, not the concepts. I carefully construct lesson plans for each of my students, as they are all unique. For my beginner students, my goal is to foster a love of not only their instrument, but music in general. For my more advanced students who are interested in pursuing a career in music, my goal is to help them establish their ambitions, refine their skillset, and I discuss what has given me success in my career.

All levels of viola study from beginner through professional. I am a professional violinist/violist with a Master of Music degree, extensive performance, and teaching ability/experience,

Intermediate - Expert Viola! I shall guide you through your passage-work, intonation, vibrato, sliding, presence, and solidity. I can also encourage musical intuition and imagination for creative students and teach them how to be independent thinkers. Therefore, I can tailor the student’s personal curriculum to achieve their greatest musicianship. I teach Suzuki and Traditional methods with utmost observance and give great clarity on the student's progress. I have performed as a classical soloist, in chamber groups, and with a full orchestra. Additionally, I have experience in modern popular music. I help my students understand their body, the importance of both mental preparation, and the knowledge of how to become completely comfortable during their practice time and their performance time. I love being able to use my extensive worldwide experiences to galvanize the interests of my students. I have been fortunate to have lived in so many places, to have studied with the greats and near-greats, and to have learned so much more than music technique.

The art of melody and harmony dynamics. The importance of inner voices of the string family in quartet playing. Discover the role of the Viola as a solo instrument and within the orchestra.