Violin with Micah D.

My philosophy is simple: have fun with what your doing, no matter what it is! You can always be working hard---working diligently, and studiously while having loads of fun. That's something I consider with every student who comes through my studio-- we may be drilling and playing passages over like a well oiled machine for good autonomy, but don't be fooled! We're laughing, smiling and having a good time while learning perseverance, discipline, life force, and a WHOLE lot of creativity. Yeah, you heard me, I just used all caps right there. I'm a professional violinist, and so naturally I do a whole lot of violin-related-stuff in the Atlanta area: clinics, performances, lectures, masterclasses ect… I have performed with the Georgia Symphony, Rome Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Kennesaw State University Symphony, Ludwig Symphony, Macon Symphony, and Chattanooga Symphony. Currently, I am the new concert master in the Alpharetta Symphony. And you know what the coolest part is? I want to teach YOU anything under the sun you'd like to learn! That's right, I teach Violin and Viola lessons for ABSOLUTE beginners all the way up to highly advanced students. Many of my students started with me having no clue how to even hold their bow, and in just 4 MONTHS, I was preparing them for auditions for regional all-state orchestras and playing in volunteer orchestras. Yes, you heard me right, I currently have students who have won placements in the Beethoven Chamber Youth Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Emory Youth Orchestra, Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, and All-state orchestras. Oh and it gets better. Music education is an all-encompassing art form, folks. I've studied the psychology of learning to play a musical instrument for over 15 years, and I've learned not from a textbook, but from EXPERIENCE that learning to play music teaches you more than just how to make music. Test scores in math, Language Arts, and problem solving skills are substantially higher in individuals who learn an instrument that those who don't. That's a statistic that's stood the test of time for the last 30 years in the realm of music pedagogy and my personal students have validated this statistic with their high level of focus and attention to detail. Now I think the real question is, do I beat them over the head with a ruler to get them to play so well? Absolutely not! As a violin student growing up, I knew violin playing immediately became not-so-fun if I knew my lesson included being scolded too harshly, or other forms of negative reinforcement. I simply inspire my students to be the best they can be, and to carry those skills with them in all aspects of their life….and to make some awesome music in the process!