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.