
Betsy F.

Teaching Locations:

After 3 months students will understand the fundamentals of their voice, warm up properly, be able to read and sing introductory passages. After 6 months the student will have learned basic music theory, how to read music, and have advanced through singing multiple songs.
About Betsy F.
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 as a principle violinist with the La Jolla Symphony, and have also played as a section viola for the LJSO, 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 18 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 and individuals with special needs.
*** 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.
Reviews
Write a Review

My daughter was very nervous and Betsy made her feel at ease. Great first lesson !


My daughter Madison thinks that Betsy is the greatest. She was very excited, which is exactly what I hoped for. Betsy made her want to continue learning. Madison was interested in tennis a few years ago....her coach was mean and autocratic, which made her lose that interest. It’s nice to see how Betsy is an inspiring instructor.

Betsy really helped my 16 year old daughter in just a few lessons! She was kind and offered specific instruction that made a big difference!


She was wonderful with our daughter and patient. Our daughter can’t wait for the next lesson!

My daughter loved the lesson and told me she felt like a superstar. Betsy is wonderful with children. She’s patient and kind and obviously very talented. Looming forward to our next lesson.

Betsy's and my son's 1st lesson was great! She was so patient and positive which helped my son really get excited about his lesson. She really helped him get through some frustration times. She helped him with so much. My son was very happy.

Lille's first lesson went fantastic. She is very excited to continue the program with Betsy.


She is so experienced and easy to follow. Very encouraging teacher and knowledgeable. She gives wonderful examples and metaphors and is able to detect a lot of nuances via video.

Fantastic explaining everything to my 8 yr old!


We have been so happy with the lessons our daughter is receiving from across the country. We used Betsy to get her ready for an audition quickly and then signed up for 15 more weekly lessons.


Betsy is a wonderful violin instructor, and we found her sense of play, imagination, balanced with the need to instruct a good fit for our three year old daughter. Thank you Betsy for your patience and flexibility!

Leah had a wonderful first lesson with Betsy! She provided great instruction and made her feel comfortable. Thanks so much!

Betsy 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.

She 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!
I 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
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
Review
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.
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.
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.
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!
Photos & Videos
7 Photos & VideosLet Our Student Counselors Help You
We can match you with the perfect teacher and take care of all your scheduling needs.
- {{ subject.value }}