Viola with Carolyn B.

Private Studio

I have been teaching violin and viola for over twenty-five years and cello for over twenty years. I have a Doctorate in Music from Arizona State University. I taught strings in the Scottsdale School District and the New School for the Arts. I have also taught violin, viola and orchestra at Paradise Valley Community College, GCC and MCC. I have been very fortunate to have worked with some of the finest teachers in the Nation. I would love to pass on their valuable knowledge to you. I teach violin, viola and cello to both young students and adults.

Great Heart Academies

I taught Music History, Music Theory, Choral and Strings at the Anthem Preparatory school as a long term sub for another music teacher who was on leave. The students were elementary grades 2nd through 5th. I had a sixteen piece string group and four choirs. Music is considered an academic at the Great Hearts Academies, as they use the Core Knowledge system. I taught the students about various composers, daily theory lessons, and choral practice.

Scottsdale Unified School District

I taught elementary strings and general music at SUSD. I had beginning string groups there. I also taught three high school string orchestras at SUSD. We went to festivals, performed concerts, and did fund raising for events.

Community Colleges

I have been the Violin and Viola Instructor in at Paradise Valley Community College Arizona since 2003. I taught as the conductor and orchestra instructor at Paradise Valley Community College for ten years, and GCC for three years. I was the Viola and Chamber Music Instructor at Mesa Community College in Arizona. I was also the Violin and Viola Instructor at Glendale Community College.

Private Studio

I have been teaching private violin and viola at my home studio here in Arizona for over twenty-five years. My private students have varied from five years old to seventy five years old. I have also taught private beginning cello lessons for over twenty years. I practice a progressive Western traditional method that includes scales, etudes and solo repertoire. I have a great deal of success helping both young and adult students to learn how to play string instruments. Many of my students have gotten into honor orchestras and community groups.

California State University, Long Beach

Arizona State Univeristy

Arizona Department of Education

In order to be determined as a "Highly Qualified" teacher in the State of Arizona, I had to take a minimum of 30 college units of graduate level music teaching courses. I also had to pass a National music exam and a National education exam at the secondary level. The National music teaching exam is notorious for being extremely hard. Many music teachers fail this exam several times before passing it. I passed both exams on the first try. This may be due to having gone through some even more difficult music exams at ASU in order to earn my Doctorate in Music.

Arizona Department of Education

The Arizona Teaching Certification is a state license to teach in the public schools. It requires about 30 college hours of educational course work, as well as classes in English as a second language, and Arizona State History. This certification also includes teaching music under a master teacher in the classroom at both the elementary level and the secondary level. The coursework is very specific and includes practicum, classroom management skills, and teaching strategies.

Paradise Valley Community College

Phoenix Office of Cultural Arts

The American Viola Society is a nonprofit organization of viola enthusiasts, including students, performers, teachers, scholars, composers, makers, and friends, who seek to encourage excellence in performance, pedagogy, research, composition, and lutherie. United in our commitment to promote the viola and its related activities, the AVS fosters communication and friendship among violists of all skill levels, ages, nationalities, and backgrounds.

The MTNA was founded in 1876 with the goal of advancing the value of music study and music-making to society while supporting the careers and professionalism of teachers of music. With nearly 22,000 members in 50 states—and more than 500 local affiliates—the MTNA is the preeminent source for music teacher support, where members embody like-minded values and commitment to their students, colleagues and society as a whole, while reaping the rewards of collaboration, continuity and connection throughout the lifetime of their careers.

The American String Teachers Association, founded more than 60 years ago, is a membership organization for string and orchestra teachers and players, helping them to develop and refine their careers. ASTA's members range from budding student teachers to artist-status performers. The organization provides a vast array of services, including instrument insurance, an award-winning scholarly journal, discounts on publications and resources, annual professional development opportunities, and access to collegial network of colleagues throughout the string profession.

Native Proficiency

Limited Proficiency

Limited Proficiency