Viola with Betsy F.

Music is the biggest passion in my life. I love being able to share that gift with my students, and look forward to their progress as much as my own. I continue to grow and develop as a musician, and love connecting with people through music. My students all learn to love and appreciate music, theory and performing as I share my knowledge and expertise. I have degrees in Violin, Viola and Vocal Performance, that I earned while on full scholarship for music. I started violin as a young child with the Suzuki Method and later added viola. I began singing professional gigs while still in high school, and was the youngest member ever with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Chorus at 17. I also have extensive experience singing in non-classical groups and bands and am comfortable performing and teaching musical theater, pop, country, opera, operetta, and church music. With solid vocal technique my students are able to cross genres with ease, and sing whatever inspires them musically. I currently play as a principle violinist with the La Jolla Symphony, and have also played as a section viola for the LJSO, sung with the San Diego Master Chorale and the San Diego Symphony. I was concertmaster in several symphony orchestras and have played as section leader for viola in numerous groups. I also play in and manage a string quartet and am also currently coaching small group string ensembles. My siblings and I have played in our family string quartet for over 20 years, and still perform together. Most recently I was chosen to record a new song Glow for Disneyland's California Adventure World of Color Winter Dreams. I am comfortable teaching with various different methods, and cater lesson plans to the individual student. With over 18 years of teaching experience, I have taught students that vary in age from 3 to 75 years old, and am very comfortable with teaching children and individuals with special needs. *** Lesson Details *** Lessons are fun. My philosophy is that students should have music in their lives and benefit from the lessons they take now for years to come. Learning to play a musical instrument will help students with math skills, study habits, and develop a skill that will last for a lifetime. After 3 months students will understand the fundamentals of their string instrument or voice, know how to care for their instrument, warm up properly, be able to read and play/sing introductory passages. After 6 months the student will have learned basic music theory, how to read music, and have advanced through playing/singing multiple songs. *** Travel Equipment *** I have a violin and viola that I bring to assist in teaching lessons. I expect that the students provide an instrument and their books. A keyboard or piano is essential for voice students for vocalization. A student need not know how to play piano in order to take voice lessons. *** Specialties *** Vocal students are encouraged to pick songs from whatever genre sparks their interest. With violin and viola I use the suzuki method of training and follow the books and lessons, I use other books to supplement scales/technique.