Violin with Kirsten M.

Kirsten is a wonderful teacher! She’s very knowledgeable and patient. Highly recommend!

Me and my daughter had a great experience with Kirsten! She is very warm, flexible, and has a friendly, professional teaching style. An overall lovely person who is very talented at her craft. Would definitely recommend!

Kirsten Mitchell and I first met in a classroom at Austin Peay University where she was teaching a beginners violin class with individual instruction. Nearly all of her students turned out to be teenagers. Retired, I had already turned 65. Over time, and with patient, coaching, and encouragement from Kirsten, I have learned to play several Bach pieces, among others. Each new work requires that yet another skill or technique be learned. We have made our way from great simplicity to greater complexity, each step requiring more control and capacity. How did we do that? Examples! When my attempts at discovery came short, Kirsten could always provide examples so matter-of-fact that they seldom intimidated. Just try it; just do it! It’s like learning from a big sister or parent who only desires your success and would do what it takes to accomplish that. There have been times when my vote would have been for her to leave violin study to someone who had a brighter future. But, Kirsten seemed to sense that, and found understanding words and suggestions that turned my outlook towards optimism, and had me reaching deeper into myself to get through that dry spell. Play squeaky? “Listen to this, and play along with me; listen to my tone and see if you can match it. Your F’s are a little high; need to be flatter. Move your finger a little on the string. Let’s play it together. See the spacing between second and third fingers here? Hold your bow this way and keep your fingers flexible. Watch how my hand works, then you try it. “ And it goes on, and on. Kirsten never seems to tire of coaching and mentoring. What a contrast. An old guy with modest capabilities being taught by a thorough professional that makes her living with the NSO. A professional musician who can shrink the gulf between what she can do so well and what I struggle to learn, but always a friendly adult who can teach as though it is all that really mattered. We revere and recognize those who enrich our lives, especially our teachers. They help us reach our goals. Kirsten Mitchell is one of the most memorable people I’ve met.