Violin Lessons in West Village. Amazing Teachers.

For my beginning violin students, I have found the Essential Elements Series to be highly effective, as well as the Suzuki methodology. All lessons will typically start with scales/arpeggios and be followed with the selected piece(s) we have chosen together. All of my students will attest that I set clear and high expectations for every lesson, yet am very understanding, friendly and approachable right from the start. My goal is to provide every individual with the tools necessary for becoming a well-rounded musician, so that they too can share their love for music with others.

My teaching philosophy is to provide each student the opportunity to find their passion, to understand who they are as an individual, and to create a sense of community within my studio family. Not only will I give them the tools they need to succeed musically, but most importantly, the tools they need to succeed in life. I want my students to be the best musicians they can be and to be the best versions of themselves that they can be. Abilities vary among each individual and I aim to take the time and the patience to understand and teach every student that comes my way. I am a patient, kind, and caring teacher who strives to show my students just how marvelous they can be.

I firmly believe that good technique leads to rapid progress and a happy student. I am a patient, encouraging, and insightful violin and viola instructor. My 6 years of teaching experience has brought me such joy and I can't wait to help you or your child find the fun in playing violin.

Welcome to my violin and viola studio! I believe that every student can enjoy the process of studying an instrument, and can learn to play with ease and joy. As a result, I work to determine each student's learning style, look for ways to encourage individual ownership of learning, and adapt my approach to help meet each student’s needs and goals. I teach both Suzuki and traditional lessons, and draw from a variety of musical styles and approaches to help students develop a broad range of skills that include a strong technical foundation, ear training, sight-reading, ensemble playing, and musical self-expression. Through this approach, I hope to help students develop a lifelong love for music that will serve them in all future endeavors, musical or otherwise.

Maya joined the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in 2007. After receiving her Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School in 2001, she became a member of the Honolulu Symphony. In Hawaii, she recorded with the prestigious Hawaiian singer Keali’i Reichel on his album Ke’alaokamaile, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005.

A native of Japan, Maya received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Tokyo University of the Arts. She attended seminars in Japan and England with the Amadeus Quartet and performed in both countries as a member of the Sunrise String Quartet.

In the United States, Shiraishi studied with Masao Kawasaki on scholarships at the Juilliard School, where she received a master’s degree in 2001. She has also studied with Garrett Fischbach from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Yoko Takebe from the New York Philharmonic. She has given solo and chamber music recitals at Lincoln Center in New York and at the Spoleto Music Festival in Italy. She joined ...