Lesson Details
Dawnn teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 6+ and special needs
- Teaching since:
- June 2009
I absolutely love teaching music. I have experience teaching children as young as 6 and adults age 70. I have 18 years of experience playing music. The instruments I have experience playing are violin, viola and cello. I have been teaching for 9 years. I am Assistant Conductor of the Crossroads Youth Orchestra.
In 2013 I received my Bachelors Degree in Instrumental Music and Music Theory from Bluefield College. I have played for the Rappahannock Youth Symphony and the Bluefield College Orchestra and I have in duets and trios with members of the Roanoke Symphony. I live in Virginia and have played for local wineries, art museums and restaurants; I also play weddings, dinner parties and private events.
I enjoy playing music, because music echoes the soul and releases the mind. Everyone may speak a different language, but all musicians speak the same language of notes and rhythm. I have always enjoyed playing string instruments, because they are so powerful.
*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are tailored to the needs and interests of each student. If a student is involved in school music ensembles, we will work with their lesson books from school in addition to material outside of the books, including Essential Elements 2000, and teacher-created materials. We will focus on building proper tone production and individual technique - something that often is difficult to learn in a large ensemble setting.
I can start a beginner student on any classical string instrument (violin, viola, cello). I can begin a student and work with them through their all levels of method books.
For advanced students, I work from selected etude books on developing advanced skills and can work with students on audition pieces for honors bands/orchestras or college auditions and specialized magnet schools.
My lessons are a half-hour or 60 minutes once a week unless otherwise agreed upon on a per student basis.
Experience
Conductor
Sep 2016 - PresentInstructor/Performer
Jun 2010 - PresentProvided lessons for students 6 and up. Performed for weddings and engagements and various venues. Performances with the Roanoke Symphony.
Education
Bachelors of Arts in Instrumental Music and Music Theory
Aug 2009 - May 2013Photos & Videos
42 Reviews
Write a ReviewMy son has gone through his first package of 15 violin lessons with Dawnn, and now continuing his learning with her. She seems to know how to approach and fix a problem in a professional way, very punctual, and committed. My son has definitely improved his violin skills and we see much hope for him entering the orchestra next school year. I definitely recommend Dawn as your violin instructor.
+ Read MoreNice, patient, and competent! She is simply awesome!
I love Dawnn! A wonderful teacher...
Awesome. My son has taken four lessons so far. I see a tremendous progress already. He now has a direction, knows areas that require improvement, and instruction on how to improve those areas. Thanks Dawnn!
This was our fist lesson in a package of 15. Dawnn seemed to know what she was doing and established connection with the student right away. She identified the problem with the student's playing and knew what steps needed to be taken to solve it. Happy with the first lesson! Thank you!
+ Read MoreDawn was very friendly and good about making sure my son had goals for his next lesson that were reasonable.
Love her and she doesn't make me feel stupid since i am 58 and taking lessons for the first time. Totally loving this decision and this instructor. I will be paying for five more lessons. Thank you Ms. Dawnn!
I love my new teacher!!!!
My daughter just had her first lesson with Dawnn and we both could not be more impressed. She is a true professional with abundant patience, knowledge, encouragement and intuition. Within an hour, she guided my daughter from her original anxiety to learning two new songs (after a month of not practicing since school ended). Her positive demeanor helped boost my daughter's confidence and now she is looking forward to continuing to learn and grow with Dawnn. I am grateful to have found such an excellent teacher.
+ Read MoreFirst lesson was a great success, better than I ever could have anticipated. Dawnn is patient and expresses herself clearly.
Dawnn is a very focused teacher. I am learning a lot. She is very gracious regarding my errors. She provides music for me. As a disabled person with cognitive difficulties, she works with me to find creative ways for me to learn. She has gone out of her way to provide learning tools. I always look forward to my lessons. I highly recommend her for learning disabilities!
+ Read MoreDawnn has lots of patience. She's a great teacher. She makes learning music fun again for my daughter. As a parent, I appreciate Dawnn's flexibility in scheduling and knowledge of the cello. I would highly recommend Dawnn!
Dawn is such a wonderful teacher! She is teaching violin and cello to my children and easily transitions between their individual needs and personalities. They love working with her and eagerly await lessons each week. We are so happy to have found her.
Dawnn is such a great teacher and she knows what she is talking about. She is very committed to her students and wants to make sure they succeed. Quite a lovely personality and is very relatable.
---Kennedy Jones :)
It was a great pleasure meeting Dawnn. She has a winning personality and a great smile. I feel we will get along great. I am looking forward to working with her and learning the cello again.
Excellent!
I really like Dawnn! She is easy to talk to and made me feel comfortable with this subject that I know nothing about. She is very knowledgeable, and good at explaining. I'm really looking forward to future lessons!
Vert realistic with expectations and patient with beginners.
Dawn is a great teacher. She understands that I am a working professional and she set goals for me that can fit into my schedule. I look forward to more lessons.
This was my first lesson with Ms Dawn and it went really great. I am really looking forward to learning with her.
She is a "real" person, articulate and personable. I am very much looking forward to working with her.
My daughter (very shy) had he first lesson today. She was very happy with Dawn.
My daughter (very shy) had he first lesson today. She was very happy with Dawn.
I cannot find a way to communicate with you regarding my disability. Your profile states "special needs", and I need to know if your abilities will work with my disabilities. I can't communicate without buying the package. My email is chatbratstar@yahoo.com. This review is not a review but it is the only thing I can think of to get through. I played for 20 years as a young woman.
+ Read MoreI really like learning with Dawn. I am from Germany so to have a lesson in English was new for me and I think she was very patient with me ^^. Well done
Really excited about learning violin from Dawnn
We have been receiving lessons from Dawnn since the first week of June; I am very pleased! She is instructing my 7 year old daughter, who is improving each passing week. Dawnn is gentle and soft-spoken and is great at allowing the child to lead and progress at their own pace. We intend to keep the lessons coming!
+ Read MoreMy first lesson with Dawn went surprisingly very well. I am hearing impaired with a cochlear implant. We talked about my strengths & weaknesses & frustrations as a violin player with a hearing loss. She seemed to understand & then assigned some music & scales to practice for next week. I'm looking forward to our next lesson! I had no problems communicating with her. I was skeptical it would work but at this point I'm excited & pleased.
+ Read MoreDawnn was able to discuss where my strength and weaknesses were and to develop a long term goal to help bridge the gap. She is very caring and is a good listener, she will help me to develop into a stronger violinist. Great instructor.....
Great experience for my Granddaughter, this was her first lesson but Dawnn made her feel very comfortable. Dawnn is personable, friendly, professional. I think we made the right choice.
Dawnn hit it off with my Granddaughter right away. This was her first lesson with Dawnn but when the lesson was over Ashley was beaming. Right now she only has 1/2 lessons with Dawnn but if her other lessons go this well we will be signing up for Ashley to have 1 hour lessons. Great experience, I think Dawnn is the right choice for Ashley. Very personable, friendly, professional.
+ Read MoreHolly, and all of us, absolutely LOVE Dawn. She is great with kids and very patient and understanding. She makes it fun and has a great outlook.