Customized private violin instruction from a teacher of over 20 years
I am a violinist and private violin instructor with over 20 years of experience. I have a Bachelor's in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music, where I studied with Ilya Kaler and Mitchell Stern. I have performed in a wide variety of ensembles alongside such artists as Mitch Miller, McCoy Tyner, John Williams, Frederica von Stade, Joshua Bell, Mark O'Connor, Karen Gomyo, Beri Weber, Tim Janis, and many others. Currently, I am a member of both the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra in Harrisburg, PA, and KolPlay Orchestra, a NYC-based Jewish wedding band. I truly love sharing my musical experience through teaching. Since 2001, I have maintained a private studio of at least 8 and as many as 30 violin students of all ages, abilities, and levels of interest. In addition, I have taught music theory and performance classes, and worked as an ensemble and chamber music coach. I believe strongly that music is meant for everyone, and whether my students are preparing a college audition or learning their favorite songs for fun, I treat each one with the same enthusiasm and individual attention.
Teaches all skill levels
Teaching since 2001
Age: 5+
Has background check
Subject: Violin
Location:
Work hours
Mr. Cliff is the best instructor we could have found for my daughter. She is learning and growing her skills every week.
I have been a student of Mr. Cliff since 2016, and I've never had an unproductive lesson since. Mr. Cliff is patient, attentive, and precise in explaining anything from technique to style, but most of all he cares about his job and takes much joy in bettering the performance of his students. Rather than focusing on any mistakes made, he offers practicing advice and other improvements. He makes great analogies regarding technique so students can remember better. As for style and shaping the phrase (intermediate to advanced players), Mr. Cliff gives recommendations to students while also giving them room to explore their own style of playing if that's what the music calls for. Mr. Cliff was also highly flexible with his schedule during quarantine--he went out of his way to teach students willing to do in-person lessons since he believes they are much more effective than virtual ones. Overall, Mr. Cliff is a truly encouraging, skilled, and caring violin teacher. I'd recommend him as a private lesson teacher to any student looking to meaningfully improve as a violinist.
Cliff has been very patient and encouraging with my daughter since she first started. It has been a year and never has there been a day that she refuses to go to his lessons.