Ridgewood, NY Viola Lessons

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.

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

with the National Repertory Orchestra, and has attended the Bowdoin International and Madeline Island Music Festivals.

Emily maintains a private teaching studio of twenty students ages 3 to adult in the NYC/Long Island area. Additionally, she teaches group violin classes, as well as after school private lessons in the NYC public schools through Opus 118 Harlem School of Music. In the summers of 2013-2015, she was Junior Faculty at the Stringwood Chamber Music Camp.

Emily received her bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, from Columbus State University, where she was named the Presser Scholar, and received her master's from Mannes College of Music. Currently, Emily is pursuing a DMA in Performance at the CUNY Graduate Center. Her major teachers include Daniel Phillips, Lewis Kaplan, Muneko Otani, and Sergiu Schwartz. In 2016, she completed violin teacher training through Opus 118 Harlem School of Music's intern program.

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.