Lesson Details
Betsy teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 5+
- Teaching since:
- March 1999
Music is the biggest passion in my life. I love being able to share that gift with my students, and look forward to their progress as much as my own. I continue to grow and develop as a musician, and love connecting with people through music. My students all learn to love and appreciate music, theory and performing as I share my knowledge and expertise.
I have degrees in Violin, Viola and Vocal Performance, that I earned while on full scholarship for music. I started violin as a young child with the Suzuki Method and later added viola. I began singing professional gigs while still in high school, and was the youngest member ever with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Chorus at 17. I also have extensive experience singing in non-classical groups and bands and am comfortable performing and teaching musical theater, pop, country, opera, operetta, and church music. With solid vocal technique my students are able to cross genres with ease, and sing whatever inspires them musically.
I currently play viola with the La Jolla Symphony, and have sung with the San Diego Master Chorale and the San Diego Symphony. I was concertmaster in several symphony orchestras and have played as section leader for viola in numerous groups. I also play in and manage a string quartet and am also currently coaching small group string ensembles. My siblings and I have played in our family string quartet for over 20 years, and still perform together. Most recently I was chosen to record a new song Glow for Disneyland's California Adventure World of Color Winter Dreams.
I am comfortable teaching with various different methods, and cater lesson plans to the individual student. With over 14 years of teaching experience, I have taught students that vary in age from 3 to 75 years old, and am very comfortable with teaching children.
*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are fun. My philosophy is that students should have music in their lives and benefit from the lessons they take now for years to come. Learning to play a musical instrument will help students with math skills, study habits, and develop a skill that will last for a lifetime.
After 3 months students will understand the fundamentals of their string instrument or voice, know how to care for their instrument, warm up properly, be able to read and play/sing introductory passages. After 6 months the student will have learned basic music theory, how to read music, and have advanced through playing/singing multiple songs.
*** Travel Equipment ***
I have a violin and viola that I bring to assist in teaching lessons. I expect that the students provide an instrument and their books. A keyboard or piano is essential for voice students for vocalization. A student need not know how to play piano in order to take voice lessons.
*** Specialties ***
Vocal students are encouraged to pick songs from whatever genre sparks their interest. With violin and viola I use the suzuki method of training and follow the books and lessons, I use other books to supplement scales/technique.
Photos & Videos
20 Reviews
Write a ReviewBetsy was my daughter's viola teacher for almost 2 years. She was consistently fun, nice, supportive, knowledgeable, and professional. We recommend her highly.
Lessons have been great. She is organized, intuitive with the child taking lessons, and getting results. All this plus a beautiful spirit and voice.
Betsy was AMAZING!! She helped me work on scales and my concerto, she made it so mug more fun and was very nice to be around.
Betsy came to our house to teach my 5-year-old daughter singing lessons. Betsy's methods were useful and good. My daughter loved taking lessons with her. After a handful of lessons, Betsy began to reschedule our lessons. One time, she had rescheduled and showed up at our house at the original time...just as we were pulling into the driveway from an outing. Okay, fine. Then, she'd contact me and hour or two before our lesson, to see if we could reschedule. This is unprofessional and unacceptable! It became the norm with her, so we cancelled our lessons with Betsy. It isn't easy for our family of five to rearrange our schedule for her. Once or twice? Okay, but not all of the time! My daughter was greatly disappointed an defeated, and we haven't taken singing lessons since. I have yet to receive my money back from TakeLessons. Go figure.
+ Read MoreShe was wonderful. She went out of her way to meet us on short notice. Very patient. She made my daughter feel very comfortable.
First day went very well.
Betsy has been my daughters coach for about a year now, and she is wonderful. My daughter has learned so much in the past year, and now she's interested in singing, thanks to Betsy. Betsy has a wonderful spirit, she knows how to communicate on their level, and she makes them feel as though they can do anything. I also like her because she encourages kids to follow their dreams, and to do the right things, and we all know that it takes a village to raise a child. I would highly recommend Betsy!
+ Read MoreI have an audition tonight. I was very grateful that Betsy was able to help me with last minute suggestions. Betsy was available immediately which made the lesson possible. She is a wonderful voice teacher and helped me polish up my song. Thanks so much for making this format available. Linda
+ Read MoreReview
I thought Betsy was absolutely great! She was very patient when we had trouble connecting and was even up for offering me a lesson while our video wasn't working. She was talented and actually very knowledgeable. It was so much more than I expected Helpouts would be. Would love to continue working with her and Helpouts in general.
Review
I had a great time with Betsy from Takelessons. I was nervous to try this out, but it ended up being very effective and easy to get help. I was having a really hard time with reaching some high notes in a song for my choir, and after warming up and learning to control my breathe, I was able to sing much more comfortably. Thank you! I'll be back again!
Review
Besty was very helpful and helped me with my technique which is pretty advanced. It's hard to find people who can teach people who have been playing for years lol...I can tell she has the understanding and the knowledge^^
Review
Wow!!! Betsy is for very nice and and very patient for beginners like me she made me feel comfortable
God Bless
Review
My instructor and let me tel you, She is PATIENT!! After grappling with just set up, she talked me through and made sure I was on point, and even after we got started she was supportive and helpful and cheerful all throughout. It truly was a pleasure and I look forward to working with her again!
Review
We had some technical difficulties, however Betsy was very pleasant, patient and informative. We will be booking future classes with her!
Review
The lesson was great, I really got a lot of information down packed and it went really well. I can't wait to try out these techniques and get better in my singing
An outstanding mentor
Being in my 30's, I didn't know what to expect. I assumed that most teachers would only teach children. Betsy has taught a range of students, from very young to quite a bit older and I've been so blessed to have her sent my way.
She's been patient and understanding of my random schedule (and of my terrible playing), professional, on time, encouraging, always shows up with a smile on her face and a thirst to teach. It's one thing to be excited to learn, but it's another to find such a wonderful person that enjoys teaching the way she does. I also appreciate the fact that she puts her own love for the instrument(s) into practice by constantly having performances in the field as well. It's hard to find this type of individual in any area of life and I'm so glad she's become my teacher.
Very much enjoying the lessons
We contact takelessons to help our 5 year old daughter prepare for a talent show, her first ever. She is loving the lessons, and very much enjoying her time with Betsy. Betsy has a great way about her and we are continuing our lessons indefinitely.
Five Star Excellent Student focused Teacher
We have had Betsy teach our three kids for years. She is well trained, has an excellent fund of musical knowledge, and is technically superior. But best of all she tailors her teaching based on each child's skills, interest, and energy. She keeps the kids engaged, even with their different skill sets and learning capabilities. We have had several tutors in the past, and the kids can play piano, cello, and violin. But out of all the music teachers, Betsy's ability to keep each child involved and interested has kept them playing violin even though its not the instrument they play at school.
I can't give a higher recommendation than I can give for Betsy.
Amazing Teacher
Betsy is by far one of the most talented people I have hired to work with my children on their violin. Not only does she work well with children but she also is such a joy to be around. If you want to learn how to play a violin this is your go to person! There is no one better than Betsy! We love her!
Betsy is the Best!
Betsy teachs my 3 children, two younger, ages 6 & 11 violin and my 15 year old advanced player on viola and violin. She is an amazing teacher.