Stony Brook Music Lessons

ion in the Solo String (Bowed) category of the 14th National Student Convention in which she won 2nd Place.

In 2007, Hopengrace received a Presidential Scholarship from Tennessee Temple University (TTU). There she studied violin under Mrs. Laura Minor (B.Mus. Vanderbilt University, MA Music NYU). She also took piano from Mrs. Carolyn Kemp​ (BS Mus.Ed. Baptist Bible College, MA Mu. Ed. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga) and voice from Dr. William Knowles and Mr. Michael Mays (BS Mus. Perf. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, MA Church Music Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary).

In 2008, as a member of TTU's Weigle Concert Choir, Hopengrace had the privilege to be chosen to sing with a combined choir in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium with the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Dr. David Thye, Principal Conductor-in-Residence of MidAmerica Productions. She became a member of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Youth Orchestra (CSOYO) ​in the fall of that year and continued performing with them for three seasons. She also participated in the special orchestra for the annual Chattanooga Boys' Choir "Singing Christmas Tree" concerts at the Tivoli Theatre. In 2010, world-renowned violinist Midori chose CSOYO as one of two youth orchestras for her annual Orchestra Residencies Program, and Hopengrace had the rare opportunity to perform with one of her inspirations in concert.

Hopengrace​ became a registered Suzuki Method Violin Teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas on July 2011. She has also trained in Orff-Schulwerk.

During her travels around the world, Hopengrace struggled to keep her art alive. However, she has often been complemented for her distinctive strong, full-bodied tone​ and adaptability. Her range varies from Baroque to Modern. She plays on a John Cheng 1737 "King Joseph" Guarneri model violin with both wood and carbon fiber bows.

​Hopengrace welcomes students and employment while she prepares for entrance in a Master of Music in Performance program. She hopes to start on that new chapter of her life in the fall of 2013. Inspired by the impact of Venezuela's El Sistema program and her own experiences during her travels, Hopengrace hopes to use her talents to enable or build similar programs both while she teaches and in the lands where she was raised. ​

*** Lesson Details ***
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
“Play with heart. Play with living soul.”
— Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
As a teacher, my goal is to instruct as well as inspire each student to reach for his or her highest potential. I hope to give each student the tools to progress so that one day they can be their own best teacher, and play with a sound and style that is uniquely their own. Most importantly, I hope to instill a desire to learn and a mindset that the art of violin playing is fun and that it is just as we call it--playing. My teaching abilities range from beginning through advanced levels. Students must have a desire to learn and commit to daily (mindful) practice.

I am a Suzuki Violin teacher. This means that I am trained to work with even the youngest of musicians in a nurturing , fun and challenging way. Dr. Suzuki believed that it was important to develop a noble character in all children through the mastery of a musical instrument. He also believed that all children were capable of this mastery if the environment is saturated with music and love. My students enjoy playing the violin because they are given the tools they need to play beautifully and to make progress on their instrument. Each lesson will focus on proper set up and posture, technical work and musical direction/ideas that will inspire them to carry on their work throughout the week. I demonstrate quite a bit in the lessons, as I find it is the most effective way to communicate in music. However, I am only with the student once a week, therefore much of the lesson is geared towards helping the parent and child understand what his/her home tasks are, and how to carry them out successfully. 10 minutes of mindful practice is worth an hour of careless work.
“There is no born genius. Education is the way to develop ability.”
— Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
​Parental support and involvement is key to any child’s progress, especially at the beginning stages. Parents of young beginners are encouraged to take a few lessons before starting their child on the instrument. Parents serve as a practice coach/partner during daily home practice sessions and are required to attend and participate in their child’s lessons. Listening to recordings and attending live concerts are strongly recommended to increase musical awareness and enthusiasm in the student.

In spite of my rigorous Suzuki training, my unorthodox learning experience has taught me the value of being flexible and using methods that work best for a specific individual. I am not averse to seeking and applying a new method (eg. traditional, Masterclass, O'Connor, etc.) if the situation calls for it.

What should be expected from a Teacher/Student relationship?

I think a student should expect their teacher to give them honest, thoughtful feedback. Just enough that they can manage the information at that time. The teacher should give detailed instruction on ways the student can improve, without destroying the students sense of self worth or spirit. On the contrary, the teacher must always find a way to see the student as having great potential. This way, no matter how limited the current level of ability may be, there is hope for growth. Even without saying it, the student will feel the teachers' attitude towards him and may become that person (for better or for worse). The student should expect to be challenged, encouraged and inspired by their teacher. The teacher should expect that the student and the parents commit to daily practice, and have a desire to improve. The student must apply his/her teacher's feedback while always searching within himself for ways to develop. Mutual respect is key.

*** Studio Equipment ***
living room, baby grand piano, couch, two chairs, residential area, street parking

*** Travel Equipment ***
My own violin, music stand, and teaching books. I expect my students to provide their own instruments, music stand, and student books.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki, Orff-Schulwerk, classical, film, fiddle, world music, new age, popular, contemporary classical

t of our time together.

In our lessons we'll cover the basics of breathing, support, phonation, and placement. You can expect an increase in range, power, and vocal control, and correct any intonation issues. We'll also discuss stylistic issues and what songs/pieces best suit your voice.

Most of all we will have fun throughout the entire process!

If you have any questions feel free to message me.

---PERFORMANCE BIO---

Bass-Baritone Alexander H’s recent performances include his debut with the Beethoven Easter Festival of Warsaw as Pietro in Simon Boccanegra, Monterone with in Rigoletto with Opera Theater of Connecticut, Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro with Bronx Opera, Le Bailli in Werther with Opera Company of Brooklyn, and the bass-baritone soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with EOS Orchestra of Beijing. Alexander's operatic credits include performances of Lorenzo in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, King René in Iolanta, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte, and the Sorcerer in Dido and Aeneas, as well as excerpted performances of Colline in La Bohème, Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Frère Laurent in Roméo et Juliette, Banco in Macbeth, Dulcamara in l’elisir d’amore, and Superintendent Budd in Albert Herring, as well as many others with Mannes Opera, Chautauqua Opera, and Yale Opera. Equally at home in art song, Alexander has performed as a soloist in Chautauqua Opera’s young artist recital series, Yale Opera’s Liederabend concerts, and the Montreal International Vocal Arts Institute recital series.

Alexander is a graduate of the Yale School of Music, where he earned both a Master’s degree in Music and an Artist Diploma as well as being awarded the David L. Kasdon Memorial Prize, for the most outstanding singer in the School of Music. Alexander earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from Mannes College of Music.

---REVIEWS---

"Moreover, my attention was riveted by the young bass Alexander H...when he sang it, the foundations of the Warsaw Philharmonic trembled. It was truly an exceptional voice!"
-Wielkanocny Festival LvB Czasopismo

"Alexander H brought so much charm to Leporello that at times he nearly stole the show."
-Opera News

"The best sung was the King's plea to God for Iolanta's healing in the strong bass-baritone of Alexander H."
-Opera-L

"Bass Alexander H commands the stage."
-The Day Connecticut

"Alexander’s portrayal of the Count...was memorable. His resonant voice and litany of curses set up the final scene and marked the kind of pace and flow and continuity that made this production come alive."
-Shoreline Times

---STUDIO EQUIPMENT---

Yamaha Baby Grand Piano

how to teach technique they learned habits that are extremely difficult to get rid of. I teach many children presently from the ages of five through 12, some who have had lessons at most you have not, and when you teach very young children it is important to teach in a way that is fun and yet they learn what feels right and what doesn't The real local and physical exercises that I learned from my teacher at Juilliard so that while you are not going into extreme detail and boring then they are having fun and their bodies are learning the correct way to sing. I try my best to make my lessons fun but I also take teaching very seriously and I will give my all no matter what age the person is or if they want to do this in life. At the first lesson I always take half of it to listening to my student saying just to get an idea of where they are at, and then I like to sit down with them or if they are young I like to have their parent there so we can discuss what their wishes are And what and how they want to learn. I look forward to hopefully being a part of your lives as music has been a tremendous part of me since I was three years old and my love for it has only grown throughout the years I am being that I have studied and perform since I live five until now :-) I understand the changes in the voice throughout different periods of one's life so technically I feel very confident in being able to handle that, and being a performer at the places that I only dreamed of performing . I am happy to come to you to teach but if you come to me he will have the honor of meeting the sweetest dogs And they are hypoallergenic!