Bushwood, MD Viola Lessons

. I can help you understand what is going on behind the music and hopefully see what the composer was hoping to convey, if that is something you want to know. When I was a student I always wanted to know "why?". As a teacher, you will know why if I do.

*** Lesson Details ***
I try to keep my lesson area as stress free as possible. It's OK to make mistakes in my studio. I would like you to bring a notebook to lessons as well as your music and instrument. I write as much as I can down because if you were like I was during lessons, I would forget everything I was supposed to be watching for after 3 days. Like I said above, we move at your pace. The more you practice, the faster we move. Questions are a good thing. It shows interest. But sometimes you just have to stop asking questions and just take the leap of faith.
We start with note reading as well as proper form and the parts of the instrument. We also deal with general care. I will tune your instrument every time you come in for lessons until you learn how to tune it yourself. We will review the day before, I will check on what work you've done and then move onto the next song/ technique etc. After we learn how to pluck the first 8 notes, we start with scales and bowing.

After that we move through the "usual" routine. Scale, etude, song(s) or school test songs, audition requirements etc.

I try to keep the same routine because for some students it's easier for them to focus if they know the lesson is going to move in a familiar way. It's reassuring. After we become proficient in the basics, we move into whatever genre you would like to play, within reason. If you are in the school orchestra we will work towards you getting an A.

I would say I'm more laid back when you are not preparing for an audition. Auditions require a lot of work and I want you to do as close to perfect as possible. I become fairly demanding during that time.

In about 6 months, you can play almost any tune you can hear on the radio. Explaining where you could be gets fairly technical and I might as well be talking like Charlie Brown's teacher.

*** Studio Equipment ***
at the away studio: music, music stand, stool, piano, laptop, tuner, metronome.

at home: music, music stands, chairs, computer, laptop, keyboard, microphone, tuner, metronome.

pictures of the away studio are posted.

*** Specialties ***
I am familiar with Paul Rolland's work, Valerie Bobbett Gardner's Violin Virtuosity, as well as Guillespie's. I was brought up Suzuki but haven't been trained in Suzuki. I have taken classes on how to teach to a variety of students so I could hold a teaching license in the state. I do participate with (Canadian) The Royal Conservatory of Music Music Development. This is active in the US also.

Special note: If you are allergic to cats, you will want to take lessons at my other studio location, not at the home.

IF you are contacting me with questions, please include either take lessons or lessons in the subject area so I can find you faster. I get a lot of junk mail and it is easy for me to miss a note from you.

ed violin teachers who have sought me out to improve their techniques for best teaching practices. From my 30+ years of private violin teaching and observing how children learn, I developed a super fun groundbreaking class in New York City for 2.5 to 5 year old beginners called Crackerjack Kidz! And a few years ago, I wrote a text to accompany young students and their families.

I continuously work to be a master teacher dedicated to the very best methods, using a variety and combination of techniques and strategies tailored to the student's musical success and enjoyment.

My specialties include music-based early childhood development, adult beginners and continuing learners, intermediate and advanced players, and chamber music coaching.

I welcome you to start your family's musical journey with me!

*** Lesson Details ***
While each lesson is different, we always try to spend a little time warming up, making sure we're comfortable and free of tension, reviewing what we've worked on, and layering in new concepts each time. We also learn age appropriate music theory (the "why's" of how music works), we exercise our imaginations, and we learn how to effectively practice.

We learn to think, solve problems, hear the music in our minds, and coordinate our bodies to play beautifully! Along the way we learn skills for life, the joy of accomplishment, and love of ourselves and others!

Whether you're a toddler or a senior, violin can always teach new things and help students appreciate more about themselves and the world!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music room with keyboard and computer. Parents can sit it on lessons, and are enouraged to do so with young students.

*** Specialties ***
I'm a classically trained violinist and a master teacher with over 30 years of experience. I've been teaching Suzuki violin to children ages 3 and up for my whole career, and I'm also extremely comfortable with traditional methods for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students of any age.

My specialties include:
music-based early childhood development
adult beginners and continuing learners
intermediate and advanced players
chamber music coaching.

d in the Spring of 2008. I learned how to write acoustic and electronic music as well as studio recording processes.

I worked for the Walt Disney Company through the College Program after which I became a campus representative on Disney's behalf. My performances with the Disney Company include: 1st Violin for the Encore Cast Choir and Orchestra at E.P.C.O.T. in July 2007 and as Mrs. Armstrong for S.T.A.G.E.'s 2007 Christmas Pageant, performed in E.P.C.O.T. December 13-16 in the Circle of Life Pavilion.

Since my return to Boulder in January 2008 I finished my Masters Degree in Music Composition and taught Ear Training and Theory of Music to Freshmen, and Ear Training to Sophomores at the University of Colorado at Boulder until May 2009.

I became a member of a six-person band, called Indigent Row, in 2008-2011 where I played fiddle and sang lead vocals. We performed throughout Colorado monthly.

I now reside in Denver, Colorado. I joined Buckstein (Modern Country Rock) in March 2015 and perform regularly each month all over Denver and sometimes out of state. We are also the house band for the internationally recognized Grizzly Rose performing 6 nights a week bi-monthly.

I currently teach beginning voice, all levels of violin and viola, sight-reading, theory of music, recording techniques, performance techniques, and song-writing. I am continuing to compose new music and collaborate with others as the opportunity arises. Some of my collaborations have been published and are available online. Please ask for details.

*** Lesson Details ***
Are you excited about learning a new instrument or learning to sing your heart out? Come and learn with me in a comfortable, friendly environment! I am patient and encouraging. I will help you set goals and meet them. And to help motivate you, I will schedule performances along the way so you can show off all of your hard work!

I can teach you violin, viola, voice, music composition, recording techniques and stage techniques! I am trained in numerous styles and can help tailor lessons to your passion.

Lessons will start with the basic building blocks, as any great musician needs to have a strong foundation in the basics. I can teach you how to read music as well as improvise if that is your desire. I feel it is essential to know how to play/sing by sight and will make this a strong focus throughout the initial lessons in addition to technique and posture. I will make sure you learn how to perform and practice without injuring yourself, as certain repetitive motions can cause long-term injuries if you are not practicing with proper posture and technique. My goal for you is to make this a fun journey.

Embrace your musical side and express yourself! Bring a positive attitude to your lessons and get ready to show off your stuff!

For string players, I like to combine Suzuki with traditional Russian style and progressive scales to build the foundation and then progress to the styles of your choosing. For vocalists, I focus on Solfeggio to learn scales and sight-singing techniques and then focus on exercises to build vocal range and control. At all levels of learning I will be sure to assign tunes to work on in addition to scales/exercises so that there will always be something fun to work on in addition to the rudiments.

Remember, this is supposed to be an enjoyable experience! Let me take you on your musical journey and give you the skills to express yourself through music. Choose me as your instructor and I will contact you within 48 hours to schedule your first lesson.

I look forward to seeing you on stage!

-Jennifer

*** Studio Equipment ***
In the space I will have music stands and an amplified electric keyboard. All students should bring their own water to each lesson. Violin/viola students must bring their own instruments complete with rosin, bow, cleaning cloth, and protective case.

*** Travel Equipment ***
All students must acquire their own music stand as soon as possible. I expect my students to have access to a piano or musical keyboard and purchase their own music books.
Violin and Viola students will need to have an instrument with shoulder rest, bow, and rosin. I highly recommend that all beginning string students purchase Suzuki Book 1.

*** Specialties ***
Electric Violin
Acoustic Violin
Vocal Performance
Five-String Violin Performance

My specialties include: Suzuki, Alexander Technique, traditional Russian Violin, Country Fiddling, Celtic Fiddling, Classical Violin, Classical Viola, Folk Singing, Traditional Irish, pop singing. Composition ranges from electronica, to experimental, folk, and electroacoustic pop.

*Teachers marked as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25 lessons and have received the highest feedback rating from students.

Inspire Africa, a life-changing program that allowed her to share her love of performing and teaching music with the people of South Africa and Zimbabwe. Building from this experience, Ms. Wehrs founded her own program in 2017, Cleveland Harare Music Exchange, which seeks to bring musical guidance to the children of Harare, Zimbabwe through the Suzuki method and high level performances.

Ms. Wehrs believes strongly in music education as a tool for social change, and is excited to study this topic in depth as a member of the 2018 Global Leaders Program. As a participant, Ms. Wehrs will have the opportunity to engage a diverse group of students in Chile and Peurto Rico this spring.

nal piano goals and skill levels are, I will help you improve and enjoy playing the piano more. I am very patient, encouraging and supportive of your desire to play the piano better. In addition to piano, I teach beginner and intermediate violin and viola students.

I encourage all my students to perform once or twice a year but this is entirely optional and based on the student's comfort level.

I am available and willing to travel to your home for an extra fee as long as public transportation is available.

tion, 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 Certification in 1995 from Carnegie Mellon University.

As an expert in her field, Susanna looks forward to helping new students achieve their goals. Susanna's teaching style is positive, supportive, patient and constructive, focused on the individual student's needs, and enjoyable. Susanna will work at your pace and cares about each of her students. Susanna will teach you the proper position, technique, how to read music and how to improve your playing.

I am currently accepting new students. 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 e-mail me with any questions or about available times for lessons. I will respond quickly. Thank you for your interest and consideration.

c that YOU want to play!

I also teach composition and music theory (which is beneficial skill set for performers and composers alike).

Please send me a message and let me know your musical goals. I'd love to work with you!