Best Violin Lessons in State College, PA

various music schools, summer camps and festivals. A few advanced students have even attended and performed in some of these aforementioned festivals! I am always encouraging my students to go above and beyond.

A bit of background about me: I started my music studies at the age of 7. Lessons and orchestra were literally the highlight of my childhood. I ended up attending the Baltimore School for the Arts for high school, and went on to receive my Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Shenandoah University and complete further studies in England, Northern Ireland and Maryland (UMBC graduate certificate). I am also a registered Suzuki Violin/Viola teacher and have attended many teachers workshops in order to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to work with any and all types of students, including those with learning disabilities, such as ADD and FAS.

*** Lesson Details ***
While I am a registered Suzuki violin teacher, I do not teach solely out of a certain method or "by the book"; I choose and mold every lesson depending on specific, strengths, weaknesses, etc. If you are a more advanced, serious player, more intensive lessons and repertoire will follow suit.

I am comfortable teaching all ages and levels up to advanced. Use of games make learning the violin fun and accessible for young children. Older and more advanced students receive a more technical, intensive and advanced approach. Coaching and weekly help on school assigned materials (orchestra/string class music and homework) Classical, Jazz, Gypsy and Fiddle styles are all introduced and studied to give students a rounded technique. Music theory (reading and understanding music) is incorporated in lessons. Repertoire is diverse and exciting. Various approaches for the visual or aural learner. Guaranteed to keep you or your child engaged and interested!

*** Equipment and Studio Lesson Details ***

-If you are coming to my home for lessons, please be sure to bring your instrument and any books you may already have.

**Please note, there are three cats in the house. They are usually isolated to a different part of the house during lessons to ensure there are no unnecessary distractions and to help minimize potential allergies (studio is also sprayed with allergy reducer spray and vacuumed regularly). All are UTD on shots. Please call and ask to schedule a "trial" lesson to see if the animals interfere with allergies.

New students:
You may park on the Clayton Rd outside our house or on the cul-de-sac next to the house and walk down.
I have a trial 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 size violin to use for the first lesson if your child is a beginner.
After the first lesson I will send an email explaining what materials and equipment I recommend you buy to help you sound your best.

Places to rent or buy instruments will be recommended upon request.

*** Cancellation/Reschedule Requests ***
1) At least 24 hours notice is required if you need to cancel your, or your child's, lesson. You will be given the option to take a credit that will automatically roll over to cover future unpaid lessons on your calendar, or the option to reschedule for a different day within a week of the canceled lesson.

2) If you find that you need to cancel with less than 24 hours notice (I completely understand life happens, and sometimes it is unavoidable to provide 24hr notice), you will be given the option to make up your lesson within 7 calendar days of your originally scheduled lesson time. If you cannot do a makeup lesson, this will result in the lesson being marked as "missed" and will still be charged as if you attended the lesson.

3) If you do not show up to your lesson scheduled at my home studio and no notice was given, the lesson will be marked as "missed" and will still be charged as if you attended the lesson.

4) If I need to reschedule or cancel a lesson for whatever reason, you will be given an option for a makeup lesson or given a credit that will automatically roll over to cover future unpaid lessons.

5) I require two weeks notice to discontinue lessons if you would like to receive a refund or be exempt from paying future tuition.

6) All lessons are billed ahead of schedule and must be paid in advance in order to keep your lesson slot.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki Violin/Viola Method
Music Theory Tutor
Genres: Classical, fiddle.
Experience teaching ages 4-Adults.

do. She earned her Masters in Violin Performance from the University of Nevada, studying with Philip Ruder, and Bachelors of Music under Kathryn Lucktenberg at the University of Oregon. Additionally, she studied viola with Yuval Gotlibovitch at Indiana University during her doctoral program in Ethnomusicology.

time to improving upon what you already know. I believe every student should be approached in a unique way that works best with their personal style. I also believe that learning to play the violin doesn't have to be restricted to only classical music. Violins sound great in almost every genre of music, so why not use a great variety of music to learn with?

I employ methods from Suzuki and All For Strings in my lessons, in addition to other sources. I think what sets me apart from many other teachers is my flexibility. I understand that the same approach doesn't work equally for every student. Every student is different and learns differently. Adapting my teaching style to the student's unique needs is essential to their enjoyment and success!

nt a program to help you reach your goals.

or Emeritus and world-renowned pianist George Haddad, I performed the first movement of Shostakovich's Second Piano Concerto with the chamber orchestra.

I performed different self-composed pieces at seven OSU Composers' Workshops and won the Audience Favorite Award at the Johnstone Woodwinds Composition Competition in 2012. My Senior Composition Recital was performed on October 25, 2012. It showcased several of my three-movement works: string quartet, clarinet solo, set of classical songs for piano and voice, set of pop songs for piano and voice. Interspersed with these were two solo piano pieces and a duet for piano and violin.

My background makes me a knowledgeable and effective tutor. I was valedictorian at Delaware Hayes High School in 2009 and received OSU's Maximus Scholarship based on my ACT and SAT scores.

lues Raga video if you want to hear a good story about what I mean.

Recently I've had several articles published by the TakeLessons Blog. Check out my most recent post here.
http://takelessons.com/blog/how-to-play-acoustic-guitar-like-john-mayer-z01

that doesn't mean you can't have fun along the way!