Leonia, NJ Viola Lessons

ot only with a wide variety of students, but also of instruments; specializing in Strings and Percussion. He has helped students achieve excellent NYSSMA scores, as well as prepare for recitals and gigs of their own, and to equal merit has helped dozens of passionate hobbyists discover the delightful inner workings of the music they love. With such a wide variety of experience performing not only different styles of music, but also on several different instruments, he is well equipped to help any student grow to their fullest potential, from young beginners to adult professionals.

*** Lesson Details ***
I take a great amount of pride in what I do, and I am very proud of the results I have achieved with every single student. Lessons are planned on an individual basis, in order to facilitate success for every student, based on their own needs, requirements, interests, and goals.

With me, students will learn Etudes, Scales, Pieces, and anything else they wish to know! (including instrument upkeep, music history, ext.)

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, Two drum sets, electric basses, guitar and bass amplifiers, guitars, two double-basses, over a dozen music theory books and music encyclopedias, and a Mac book.

*** Travel Equipment ***
students should have their own instrument for piano, guitar, bass lessons. I can provide a bass for double-bass lessons. I can provide an amplifier for all lessons, though I recommend the student have their own. I do own a travel drum set that can be transported to lessons upon request, but all drum students should own their own drum set to practice and perform on.

*** Specialties ***
I am experienced with Strings, (orchestral as well as electric guitar and bass), piano, and percussion.

I am also a alumna of the Meadowmount School of Music.

Currently, I am a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of America and have completed Suzuki teacher training for books 1 - 8 at NYC's School for Strings, where I trained with Ekaterina Gerson and Allen Lieb. I have also completed additional violin and viola pedagogy studies with Ann Setzer of the Julliard School. My students have been accepted to performing arts high schools such as Laguardia Highschool School for the Performing Arts and now perform with ensembles such as Chicago University's Chamber Orchestra.

In addition, I completed both Music Mind Games Units 1 & 2 teacher training with Michiko Yurko in 2012. I incorporate this fun way of learning how to read and understand music theory into all of my lessons.

I have been teaching privately for over 10 years, and look forward to continuing to enrich other peoples' lives through music for years to come.

*** Lesson Details ***
I generally try to tailor my teaching approach based on a student's individual goals with a strong emphasis on proper violin technique. I have the most experience teaching using the Suzuki method, but also utilize more traditional approaches in order to address the developmental level of my pupil. I expect my students to come in with a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and strong work ethic.

With students 7 years of age and younger, I strongly recommend that a parent take lessons for 6 weeks prior to their child beginning instruction. I also insist that parents sit in on their child's lessons and take notes. This enables parents to properly supervise their child's practice, which ultimately leads to speedier progress and a better grasp of the material being taught.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Separate dedicated violin studio in apartment with piano.

I do own three cats (Spork, Pancakes, and Brienne), so please let me know if this is a problem!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I ask that my students please speak to me prior to purchasing or renting an instrument.

Following the first violin lesson, I expect my student to provide their instrument (I can provide a list of resources and rental companies for instruments), a notebook, any music books assigned, a music stand, and a metronome.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical playing and prefer teaching using the Suzuki method. I am currently registered with the Suzuki Association of America. I am also flexible enough to assist a student seeking to branch out, and for those not interested in Suzuki, I am also able to teach via more traditional methods. Additionally, I have an extensive educational background in music theory, I am also able to take those students interested in taking beginning to intermediate viola lessons.

l, so from time to time I will challenge kids with side assignments that may be relevant to opening their mind on the subject.

Most of the time, if at least one of the parents has an active involvement in supporting the lessons then the progress of students is very strong (like emphasizing key points in the week, or just having open dialogue with kids about the process). It is by no means necessary, but it can help a lot.

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Adults:
Often adult beginners are curious as to what the learning curve is. Generally, by the 3rd or 4th month of study all the basic elements start falling in. But although the beginning requires patience, I find a key to making it work is finding how to enjoy the small things in practice... which will later construct a beautiful sound.

I keep a sense of humor while teaching and performing (always when and if appropriate), but I am also very serious about getting students to their best potential. This means that for every student I adapt the approach to best suit their needs.

I keep organized lesson plans as a general rule, but some students work better without them, so I adjust in those cases.

her countless opportunities to perform, to participate in event planning, and to experiment with new music and arranging. She grew up participating in her mother's studio recitals at home and enjoys an annual family tradition of organizing and performing Christmas programs at church. One of Catherine's projects during her studies at the Manhattan School of Music was the Symposium Concert Series, which has led her to perform in apartment homes around the city and build a community of young artists. She has made countless arrangements for solo viola and viola with various ensembles which she often performs.

Catherine resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, Lawrence. She plays on a Raymond J. Melanson viola made in 1987.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'm able to travel to the student's home or teach at my home. Parents are welcome to sit in the lesson.

*** Studio Equipment ***
N/A

*** Specialties ***
Patience

lis Baroque Orchestra Concerto Competition, and semifinalist in the 2014 Musica Antiqua International Competition in Bruges, Belgium. Augusta holds a B.M. degree from the Oberlin Conservatory and a M.M. degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She will begin studies at The Juilliard School in the Fall of 2015 for baroque violin, as proud recipient of a Kovner Fellowship. Recent highlights include a performance as chamber musician with members of the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, Apollo's Fire, in their Bach Family Frolic concert series in January 2015.
In the 2015-2016 season, Augusta will perform as concerto soloist with the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, with the Bach A minor Violin Concerto. Augusta performs as an apprentice with Apollo's Fire and is a substitute violinist with Boston Baroque. She has collaborated on stage with members of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra during their Winter Institute, and was invited to play in a Tafelmusik masterclass for renowned violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch.
On modern violin she has worked under such conductors as Kurt Masur, Michael Tilson Thomas, Alan Gilbert, James Gaffigan, David Zinman, and Robert Spano.
Augusta holds a Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in violin performance, with a minor in historical performance, graduating at age 19 with honors (Pi Kappa Lambda Society). Her principal teachers were Milan Vitek (modern violin) and Marilyn McDonald (baroque violin). She currently is pursuing her Masters of Music in violin performance at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, under the tutelage of Alexander Kerr and Stanley Ritchie. She spent an exchange semester in 2011-12 at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, with Johannes Leertouwer and Sophie Gent.
She began her violin studies at the age of three with the Suzuki Violin School Method, continuing her studies in Moscow, Russia at the age of 12 with Zoya Makhtina of the Moscow Central Special Music School. Throughout her childhood, Augusta studied privately with Gregory Fulkerson and Almita and Roland Vamos.
Her related teaching coursework includes classes at Oberlin Conservatory and Indiana University, in pedagogy. She has studied string pedagogy methods with Mimi Zweig and Joanne Erwin. Augusta has extensive experience teaching students of all ages, in both private and group settings. She uses a combination of her own method, Suzuki, and String Pedagogy IU.