Portland, OR Fiddle Lessons

ow to 'play well with others' in informal as well as more structured gatherings every few months, with no pressure, only compassion & encouragement.

For those wishing to join in the fun of playing bluegrass music, we will start out with technique exercises, scales, basic melodies & accompaniment patterns to prepare you to learn this unique & exciting style of American music. There are many gatherings in the area called 'Pickin' Parties' that I want to get you ready to participate in as soon as is humanly possible.

If you are one of those brave souls undertaking the lovely but challenging fretless instrument, the violin, my main focus is to get you started with the all the necessary basic techniques - holding the instrument & bow correctly, getting the best possible tone & pitch using efficiency & accuracy, mixed with a great deal of ear training & heart.

Specific songs you'd like to learn? Your reward for accomplishing what I deem necessary on whichever instrument you've chosen will be for us to then listen to & analyze your desired piece, & I will then write it out in either tablature or standard notation.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lesson studio contains music stand, tuner, metronome, & there is easy parking in the well lit front lot.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Student must have own instrument & be willing to purchase necessary tools as recommended at their first lesson for their instrument & playing level, such as music stand, tuner, pick, book, strap, etc. at a local music store or on line.

*** Specialties ***
Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Contemporary Christian, Americana, Ragtime Blues Guitar, Fingerstyle, Flatpick, Accompaniment, Ear Training, Theory, Harmony

Royal Schools of Music and prepare them for one to two exams a year. The exams test playing abilities on 3 songs plus scales, arpeggios, ear training and music theory. Students that pass get a beautiful certificate for each level, grades 1 to 8.

I earned my music degree from Portland State University in 2006, graduating with honors. In 1996 I won two Medals of Distinction for violin performance and music theory and then in 2001 I received a Merit Award from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, London, England for viola performance. I've been blessed to be able to perform in a variety of ensembles and genres such as musical theater pit orchestras, string quartets, the Vancouver Symphony, and rock, jazz, tango, Middle Eastern and blue grass/folk bands.

My biggest thrill is to be able to transmit culture to the younger generation through music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I offer the following for my violin, viola, cello, bass and piano students. Most of all, it is the joy of music making that I want to share with my students.

Private and group lessons
Two recitals a year
Special performance opportunities throughout the year
Classical, jazz, fiddle, rock, tango, sacred, Celtic, folk
Music theory
Customized lesson plans using various methods old and new

I endeavor to provide a fun, non intimidating environment for students while motivating them to achieve their highest potential by providing many performance opportunities throughout the year. Some of my students have appeared as special guests with my band, Mango Nights.

Included with weekly private lessons are once a month group lessons where students can learn essential ensemble skills and have fun meeting other students.

Beginning students learn several simple songs that teach great tone and rhythm using classical, folk, blues, rock, ragtime, bluegrass. Students learn concepts such as syncopation, rhythm, note reading, articulations, dynamics, asymmetrical time meters and and more. Each book comes with a CD with piano accompaniment which makes practicing at home enjoyable.

Students are gradually introduced to scales, arpeggios, music theory, ear training and sight reading. All this works together to produce "the complete musician". The complete musician is a person who has excellent rhythm, pitch, note reading skills and creativity, a person who can enjoy and appreciate music in it's various forms over a lifetime whether it be for personal enjoyment or as a career.

For more serious students who have the goal of auditioning for university scholarships, top youth orchestras or becoming a professional musician, an accelerated intensive course is available in partnership with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In this program, the student is prepared for a once a year rigorous exam requiring the playing of select pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight reading and ear training. The candidate performs for the visiting Associated Board Examiner from London England and is graded on a point system. Upon passing the student receives a beautiful certificate and additional awards for high scores. Once a year at a separate time, a written exam for music theory is taken. The exams are graded 1 to 8 and can be classical or jazz depending on the candidate's choice.

*** Studio Equipment ***
electric piano, separate room for lessons, off street parking,
Convenient close in location

*** Travel Equipment ***
Small amp, Mac laptop and metronome.

*** Specialties ***
I teach many styles and genres such as Classical, Folk, Bluegrass, Celtic, Rock, Jazz, Tango and Middle Eastern.

Ensemble playing with other students.

Professional opportunities playing for weddings and other events.

so taught music as a camp counselor, college tutor, and workshop leader. Whether you are looking to pick up a brand new instrument, learn a new style, or work on improving on what you already know, Kathryn can help you reach your goals.

ongly believe that music has the power to change lives – to enhance the social, cultural and spiritual lives of people, and serve as a profound medium of personal expression. Professional perform experience: The Chicago, Natalie Cole, Smokey Robinson, Three tours with Moody Blues, YoYo Ma etc....
The most important thing I look for in a student is communication skills, as well as talent. I like to nurture students and help identify their individual strengths, which is a key factor in shaping a musical persona that will make its mark both on and offstage. I do not advocate a uniform technique for all students. Physical differences and learning styles are always taken into consideration. Potential is as important to me as early achievements and experience. My goal is to help students become self-sufficient, discriminating artists. I discuss practice techniques often and develop individualized scale routines. I encourage initiative and expressive musicality as well as precision. Above all, music needs to bring obvious joy to the student, regardless of the difficulties.”

*** Lesson Details ***
I use Suzuki and traditional method for my students... for Suzuki beginner they will play a song in four days....

*** Studio Equipment ***
In-Studio- Lessons in separate music lesson room, piano and violin are available. Students and parents will enjoy comfortable and clean studio environment with recent remodeled new hard wood floor and studio patio window over looking at beautiful garden. Free WiFi available for parents while waiting during the lesson appointment.
University of St Francis Joliet- can teach in rehearsal rooms at the university.
Online class at world class teaching studio

*** Travel Equipment ***
violin, viola, cello, piano and guitar

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in Suzuki teaching method for beginners, traditional conservatory method for intermediate and Royal conservatory recital program for advanced level students..I also teach orchestration program to help students prepare their auditions for major symphonies through out the country including Chicago symphony orchestra etc...

r a ouple of years. Over the years I have had performing experience with violin duets and trios with a classical guitarist on a number of occasions for weddings, Christmas shows, and restaurant events. Some of my performance venues include the 800 Bay Restaurant and Club, the Four Seasons, the Sugarhouse Casino, and the Pyramid Club.

In addition to my musical career, I am also heavily training in the sport of ice dancing. Currently, my brother and ice dance partner, Stephen, and I are 3 time national competitors at the championship level with plans to compete internationally. Through my experience as a performer both in music and on the ice, I can give to each student not only the ability to create music through the violin, but also the mental ability to handle performing and competitive atmospheres.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons offer an extensive education in technique, musicality, music theory, and most importantly, effective practice methods that increase capability and skill rapidly. I tailor my lessons specifically according to the student's abilities and strengths, while incorporating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Typically, I use the Suzuki and Strictly Strings books for beginner students, and I will then advance to etude studies such as Wolfarht and Sevick in addition to the Suzuki sequels for my intermediate students. Lastly, I will add Introducing the Positions, Mazas, Josephine Trott Double Stops, and solo concertos to my advanced students.

After a few months, my students acquire a well rounded knowledge and feel for the violin and classical music and appreciate the art and beauty music brings to life. They are always strongly impacted and inspired to pursue and achieve higher goals and activities.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a living room with a grand piano, two music stands, and seating for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
My violin, a music stand, extra music, fingerboard tape, a metronome, stickers, and a tuner. I will expect my student to have his own violin and bow, a case, a shoulder rest, and music, music stand (can be portable), and a notebook for recording lesson assignments and corrections.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical violin, and I have worked with the Suzuki Method, but I am also very open to other methods and schools.

a unique and extremely well rounded musician. Currently Armen resides in Los Angeles, CA where he is active with various orchestras, including the LA Opera.

He also routinely performs for sound track recordings with the major motion picture companies. In addition, Armen has worked with many well-known artists including Ray Charles, Barry White, Yanni, Sarah Brightman, Natalie Cole, Andrea Bocelli and many others. Here is a list of artists Armen M. has performed with: Yanni, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Frank Sinatra Jr., Andrea Bocelli, Olga Tañon, Jose-Jose, Lucero, Cristian Castro, Alanis Morissette and Marco Antonio Solis.

We are on!

*** Lesson Details ***
I am very strict and laid back at the same time. I pay a lot of attention to the technical detailes

.The curriculum is based on the level the student is presently. It reneges from simple scale books to Paganini caprices.

I encourage every student to have at list two recitals a year. Lessons are very intense and productive and i welcome you to my studio.

*** Studio Equipment ***
1) Music room w/ piano and seating for parents

2) Office room w/ seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
violin and music

*** Specialties ***
European/Russian violin school

ttsburgh Threshold Choir, a group of women who sing at the bedsides of people who are very ill or dying.

Lessons with Cindy are self-directed with coaching intended to help the student accomplish his or her personal objectives. She will ask you to provide examples of music that you love so much that you'd be willing to work hard to learn to play it, and you will find yourself working on that music right from the start. Technique is taught in the context of the music: if you need a technique for a particular song, you will learn that technique. And of course once you've mastered a technique it's yours to use on the next song or tune and the next. It's a constant process of enjoying the music and discovering and mastering the technique needed to recreate it in your own playing or singing.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons start with a review of the work you've been doing. We might take that song or tune to the next level with a new technique, or we might apply technique you've already learned to a new piece. Every lesson is different, customized to the needs of the student at that moment.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Instruments, audio and video recording equipment

*** Travel Equipment ***
Instruments, audio and video recording equipment as needed

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