About Helena G.
Classically trained at prestigious Mussorgsky school of music in St. Petersburg, Russia, with over 20 years of teaching experience. I teach Violin, Viola and Piano Performance, Music Theory, Music History, Sight Reading and Ear Training to children and adults of beginning to advanced level. I utilize several teaching methods to best suit the needs of a student and make lessons enjoyable and productive. I introduce my students to a variety of styles while teaching classical techniques for lifetime skills. When not teaching, I play with Nova Vista Symphony (First Violin) ,Campbell String Chamber Orchestra (Concertmeistress), Winchester Symphony Orchestra, and a variety of instrumental Ensembles featuring Klezmer Music, Russian Tangos and Brazilian Choros.
*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are a balance of fun and focus. My students quickly learn the basics and start playing familiar melodies. I teach memorization techniques to develop a performing repertoire.
In addition, my students develop abilities in rhythm, melody, harmony, understanding of theory, and improvisation. I also help with school orchestra practice and audition preparation.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Dedicated Music Space, desk, piano, recording equipment, music stands, couch for parents to observe and wait or participate.
*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect the student to provide their own violin and bow, music stand and a notebook. Students may also need to purchase sheet music/music books. I will provide basic recording equipment (audio and video), and pre-recorded piano or orchestra accompaniment. A live piano accompanist is available for recitals and pre-recital rehearsals.
*** Specialties ***
Classical Violin, Viola
Fiddle - Klezmer, American, Celtic
Piano - beginning and intermediate levels
Music Theory, Ear Training, Sight Reading, Improvisation.
Reviews
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Student's Home
Helena is very helpful and encouraging.
Student's Home
She is amazing! My son enjoy the class so much! I truly appreciate it.
Online
Helena was a pleasure to work with. It was my first viola lesson in decades. I was not sure how the online lesson would go but it worked well for me. She was so patient and helpful and very encouraging. Look forward to the next lesson!
Teacher's Studio
she loves her job alot .and she makes you love it as well.
Student's Home
My daughter has had multiple instructors over the past 4 years and Helena is her favorite. Her technique and personality make her a joy to work with and Elsa is eager to practice and looks forward to her lesson each week.
Student's Home
Helena has great insight and can spot areas that need improvement quickly! She is kind and patient, and a wonderful violin teacher/player.
Student's Home
I am an adult beginner. Helena is amazingly patient and has clearly mastered teaching the violin. I am very excited that I found her and look forward to having her guide me on my journey to learn such a beautiful musical instrument.
Student's Home
She is doing a wonderful job sharing the experience of music with our son.
Teacher's Studio
She has a great teaching style especially with young children. A very patient instructor. Recommend!
Teacher's Studio
Helena is wonderful! She is so patient with both my 6 year old daughter and I. We are both new to the violin but loving it so far!
Teacher's Studio
I'm very happy with my first lesson. Helena is very informative, and I really like the way she teaches, with wonderful attention to detail. I'm looking forward to next lessons. Meanwhile I'm practicing!
Gifted Teacher!!!
If you are searching for an outstanding violin teacher, I highly recommend Helena. Her students benefit from her many years of teaching and performing experience as well as her extensive educational background. When you learn musical pieces with Helena she teaches proper technique with just the right amount of music theory to produce well-rounded musicians. Some of her best qualities are her great abundance of patience that she mixes with professionalism, kindness, a sense of humor, and a great deal of encouragement.  Helena is certainly a violin teacher you will be glad you found. I feel privileged to be her student! Thank you Helena for continually inspiring me to learn and keeping me challenged as well!
perfect teacher
Thanks Helena for her patience in teaching my 10-year old son.
My son is in intermediate and advance level. Helena makes music materials easy to understand so that he can love it.....
Beginner Adult
Helena continues to me the best choice for me as an adult beginner on the violin. She is patient, knowledgable and I can't praise her enough. She knows just when I need the encouragement we beginners need. Very happy to have found her.
Beginner
Helena is a great teacher. She is kind, patient and organized. She also has a good sense of humour which is nice to find in a music teacher. I am grateful I have her as a teacher.
Amazing teacher
Helena is an amazing teacher.She has got good hold on violin and knows perfectly how to tune to student's needs. Feel lucky to learn from her
I couldn't be happier. Helena makes me feel comfortable yet challenges me.
Sudent Feedback
I am blessed to have you Helena as my teacher. You are giving me what I need to get and stay on the right track to learn.Thank you so much for what you have done for me so far.My hope is to become one of your best students.You are a wonderful teacher.Warmest regards,David
Beginner
Helena is a great violin teacher! she is very energetic, organized, patient and motivates me to keep learning. She is also very knowledgeable in music theory, and knows how to relate it to violin tones/melody as well as proper violin posture. I'm loving my lessons with her.
Great experience
Helena is very good and friendly with kids. She has great teaching method. I am very impressed with the fact that she is always well prepared before each lesson. The amount of materials were just right for young kid and so were the amount of homework. My son is very shy but he now feels very comfortable with her.
Great Teacher!
Miss Helena is the best teacher I ever had. She knows what I need work on and makes a custom lesson plan for my needs. She is really nice and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend her!
Photos & Videos
8 Photos & Videos
Experience
First Violin
Feb 2008 - PresentNova Vista Symphony
Concertmaster
Sep 2010 - Dec 2017Campbell Strings Chamber Orchestra
Second Violin
Sep 2012 - Jun 2016Winchester Symphony Orchestra of San Jose
Education
Violin Performance
Jun 1975 - Jun 1978Mussorgsky College of Music, St. Petersburg, Russia
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Russian
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Affiliations
Amateur Chamber Music Players
Jan 2010American Musicological Society
Jan 2004California Professional Music Teachers Association
Jan 2004Let Our Student Counselors Help You
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