About Ashlyn O.
Hi! I have been teaching private violin lessons for the past 8 years to beginners and adults! I am currently a freelancer in New York City, as well as working for an artist management company.
I began teaching privately after working with the Boston Youth Symphony’s Intensive Community Program. This program provides free instruction to underrepresented communities and work with the program was required of my pedagogy course at Boston University. This was my first experience teaching and I loved it! I continued to work with the program after my class ended, helping students who needed some extra time with their instruments or training in music reading and theory. I have been teaching private lessons ever since, maintaining small studios while at was at school in Chicago and Boston.
To enhance my teaching, I took the Every Child Can, Book 1 and Book 2 courses offered through the Suzuki Association of America. These classes provided valuable new ideas and approaches to teaching that I use every day. At Belvoir Terrace I was a violin and viola teacher as well as a full time counselor, living with the students and being totally integrated into their camp lives. Additionally, I was the chairperson of the Instrumental Department, learning how to more carefully organize tasks, foster innovation, and build relationships between departments.
I am passionate about all areas of music education. This summer, I accepted an internship in the production department of Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute. I had the most wonderful summer of my life, enjoying every moment of being backstage, driving artists to and from Ravinia, and working with talented young artists about to step into their careers. That summer helped me develop my skills in education and production, and my passion for changing children’s lives through music education has only grown. I have continued to see how the arts unite communities and how arts education and outreach change lives.
***Education***
I received my Master's Degree in Violin Performance from DePaul Univeristy in 2014 and a Certificate in Performance in 2016. I graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a Bachelor's Degree in Violin Performance. If you are looking for a young, exciting teacher, I might be the perfect fit!
*** Lesson Details ***
I teach students of all ages and experience levels. Depending on the student, I use a Suzuki based method of teaching. This means that I use the Suzuki books and like to have the parent be more involved in the learning process, but I also feel it is very important to supplement the books by adding scales, etudes, and other solo repertoire. When possible, I like to have my students interact in chamber music, which is so often missing from most lessons.
*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect students to have a music stand. I bring music and a tuner and metronome.
*** Specialties ***
I typically teach classical style violin and viola, however I do have experience teaching fiddle.
Reviews
Write a Review
I have been taking lessons with Ashlyn for about 7 months now and she has truly been the best violin teacher I could have hoped for! She is not only good at teaching and helping me improve my playing, but she is also a really nice person and we get along very well. I look forward to every lesson and always learn a lot and have fun. Unfortunately, I leave for college soon so I will no longer be able to take lessons with Ashlyn, I will miss her a lot.

We are very happy with Ms. Ashlyn. She has a great manner with my 8 year old, who looks forward to her violin classes and wants to practice for her teacher :)
Violin
Ashlyn is my violin teacher,she is amazing!!!She has been my teacher for about 3 months.She is very good at what she does,patient,great communication,reliable and extremely talented..I was reluctant to take a class at my age,I was scared that my teacher would not be patient with me,however I 'm so glad I did.When I met Ashlyn she made it easier for me to continue and not give up my dream of learning how to play the violin!!
Phenomenal Teacher!!
Ashlyn is a very talented violin instructor! I have taken 6 months of violin lessons with her. She is very patient, willing and able to adapt her teaching methods to my learning speed and needs. She is very good at communicating whenever lessons could not take place (which was almost never) and understanding when I couldn't make any of my lessons. As a 25 year-old trying to learn the violin for the first time, she was very encouraging and helped me begin learning what has recently become my favorite instrument. After each lesson I am pumped and can't wait to learn a little more! One of the hardest things for me was being consistent with practicing at home, but Ashlyn was understanding and always pushed me to make the time to learn the notes, the rhythm, posture, etc. and to progress in each aspect of playing the violin. I would suggest anyone to choose Ashlyn as an instructor! From what I understand, she has experience teaching young children, adolescents and young adults. Her undeniable talent, patience, flexibility in teaching methods, and her charming sense of humor are all reasons why I'm eager to learn this wonderful instrument and why I'm sure anyone would feel delighted and pleased to have Ashlyn as their violin teacher! Not to mention...you actually learn to play!!!
Photos & Videos
8 Photos & VideosExperience
Violin Teacher
Aug 2017 - PresentWillan Academy of Music
Violin Teacher to students of all ages.
Young Artist Teaching Fellow
Aug 2012 - Aug 2018ArtsAhimsa Music Festival
Chamber Music Coach at the ArtsAhimsa Music Festival
Violin Faculty
Jun 2014 - Aug 2016Belvoir Terrace
Teaching Violin and Viola lessons to girls ages 8-17 at a performing arts summer program in Lenox, MA.
Violin and Viola Teacher
Sep 2015 - Jul 2016America Music Institute
Violin Teaching Assistant
Sep 2010 - May 2012Boston Youth Symphony, Intensive Community Program
Teaching Assistant for Violin group classes, individual lessons with students that needed special attention, and tutoring in note-reading/music theory.
Education
Certificate in Performance
Sep 2014 - Jun 2016DePaul University
Master's in Violin Performance
Sep 2012 - Jun 2014DePaul University
Bachelor's Degree in Violin Performance
Sep 2008 - May 2012Boston University
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Certifications
Suzuki Book 2
Jun 2014Suzuki Association of the Americas
Suzuki Every Child Can Course
Jul 2010Hartt School of Music
Suzuki Book 1
Jul 2010Hartt School of Music
Awards
Finalist-Honorable Mention
Mar 2015Plowman Chamber Music Competition
Presser Undergraduate Scholar
May 2012Boston University
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