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Violin with Mary-Elizabeth H.

Los Angeles, California

4.9
(60)
Background check
Teaches online
Teaches all skill levels
Age: 4-75
Speaks Danish, French, Spanish,
Teaching since 1995
New York City Substitute Teacher Certification

    Fun & Patient Teacher, Great For Students Of All Levels

    Music lessons with me are FUN and I am super patient with beginners! I support you along your journey. These are beginner-advanced lessons for children or adults. You are welcome if you're brand new to violin or if you've played for years. Everything is tailored to your needs. My teaching method is special because I am incredibly patient with beginners but I can also see to the best approach to a student at any level. I have been teaching privately and in music schools for 25+ years. I teach ages 5+. We learn songs that you are interested in. You will receive a balanced music education that covers all aspects of playing music.

    Instructor details

    Location:
    Teacher's Studio
    Teacher's Studio
    SEE MAP
    Pacific Ave
    Teaches Online
    Teaches Online

    Teaching Hours

    Monday
    1:15 PM-2 PM
    3:30 PM-6:30 PM
    Tuesday
    12:30 PM-6 PM
    Wednesday
    12:30 PM-6:30 PM
    Thursday
    12:30 PM-2 PM
    5:15 PM-6:30 PM
    Friday
    11 AM-11:45 AM
    1:15 PM-2 PM
    3:30 PM-5 PM
    Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
    Pricing
    30 minutes
    $40
    45 minutes
    $50
    60 minutes
    $55

    About Mary-Elizabeth H.

    4.9
    (60)
    (See FAQ section at the end) Located in Los Angeles. Teaching online via the takelessons classroom or FaceTime, or in my west side Los Angeles studio. Lessons in your home may be possible for an additional travel fee. Hello! I am a professional violin/fiddle/guitar/uke player and singer. I have recently relocated from NYC to Los Angeles for a little more sun and sand. I have been teaching private and group classes for over 25 years, since 1995. In Los Angeles I play live music all over, mostly Irish and other folk music. In New York I performed and taught music classes all over Manhattan and Brooklyn. I truly enjoy teaching and fulfilling the students needs and seeing them progress as a musician. You are the most important part of our classes. I worked for the NYC Department of Education and the Connecticut Department of Education as a substitute classroom and general music teacher (2015-2018). I have substantial experience teaching students with many different kinds special need, in special education, and students with learning differences. In 1999 I was awarded a full-tuition scholarship through an audition through the North American World Scholarship Program to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 2001 I was awarded the String Department Special Recognition Award. At Berklee I earned a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance. I began my studies as a young child with the Suzuki Method (which focuses on learning by ear, substantial parental involvement, and only later reading music.) In high school I began studying jazz/blues improvisation, composition, and music theory. At Berklee College of Music I focused on jazz and all kinds of contemporary and traditional music. After graduating I was awarded a position at the Henry Mancini Institute (2003) in Los Angeles and was privileged to work with some of the biggest names in music including Diana Krall and Christian McBride. My favorite type of music to play these days is traditional Irish folk music, or "Irish trad". For the past few years I have immersed myself heavily in New York's traditional Irish music scene. I regularly play alongside some of the city's finest Irish music players, both in New York and now Los Angeles. A large part of my teaching style is that you are having FUN, you are enjoying what you are learning, no matter your skill level. Even if you are an absolute beginner, you can learn to play songs you like even if we only work on playing the chorus or the riff of the song. For example, one year I had a very happy 6-year old boy learn the theme to Star Wars and another college student learning the a hit single from pop band MGMT. Again, if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to use the TakeLessons message portal. My average response time is 1 hour and I will always get back to you as soon as I can. Please note I am on Pacific time and I'm typically 'in the office' from about 12pm-9pm PST. *FAQ for interested students* Scheduling Contact me after 12pm PST for the quickest possible reply.) Basically, I work late and sleep late, haha. What is the Goggle Practice Log? The Google Practice Log is different for every student. You can print it out each week or fill it in online. Some examples of what I might write in the left most column are: I AM SO PROUD OF YOUR WORK THIS WEEK! Keep it coming! 1. Warm up: G Scale (4X) 2. Play exercises on page 32 3. Listen to my recording (1X) 4. Play Minuet without recording (1X) 5. Play Minuet Game (remember to focus on counting and dynamics) 6. Play Minuet (3X) This practice should take you about 15 minutes. On the sheet, the next several columns are labeled Mon/Tues/Wed and so on. So you just go down the list completing each task, checking them off as you go or all at once at the end of your practice. If you have a super busy work week and have less time for practicing (life happens!) I would update the Practice Log to reflect this, i.e. designing your homework according to how much time you have. How much do I need to practice? Of course the more regularly you practice, the faster your progress with be. You and I decide together the how many days we aim to practice this week". We set attainable goals so you feel encouraged all the way along on your music journey. If you have limited time, that's okay. I do not demand that my students practice every single day, Many of my students work or go to school full time and have a weekly class. Let’s say you feel you only have 3 days to practice. In a time, we decide what's best for you, an additional day or a slightly longer practice. For example, I have an elementary age student I’ve been teaching for 3 years who started out practicing twice a week and when they were ready, we added one more day per week. We kept going in that fashion and they are enjoying doing 5 days/week and they love meeting their Practice Goal. What is a Practice Goal? You and I set your goal and keep it attainable so you stay motivated! My students feel great when they meet their Practice Goal, and we give a cheer! My classes are relaxed and cheerful (it is my job to encourage you and cheer you on!). I tell you both positive things and share things that need a little more work. The method that I've been using for over 25 years absolutely guarantees steady progress, no matter who the student is. (The word ‘patient’ comes up in my reviews a lot.) :) Can I have class every other week? We can certainly do every other week lessons. However, I don't recommended it especially for beginners. If you've started to develop a bad habit we don't want to have to unlearn it. Having weekly classes will also keep you motivated and keep the structure we set up. I have and have had many students who work or go to school full time and do their class in the evening after work, and I tailor the lesson according to their energy level. .
    ReviewsWrite a review
    5
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    4
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    3
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    4.9
    60 Reviews
    Maria
    Student's home
    She is good, in every class she tries so hard to explain me so I can understand, she is very flexible and emphatic with her students.
    Posted Mar 23, 2024
    Billie
    Online
    My granddaughter, Kailynn, feels like she is learning a lot and is very happy with her lessons.
    Posted Mar 21, 2024
    Billie
    Online
    Kailynn reported that her lesson went really well. THUMBS UP!! She is very enthusiastic about continuing.
    Posted Feb 29, 2024
    112233...2020Next >Next >

    Experience

    Music Teacher

    Jan, 1995 - Present

    Private Teaching Studio

    Due to COVID-19, I am offering online lessons, or if you are coming to my home for a class we will might or might not mask depending on current local recommendations. I occasionally teach in student's homes in the Mar Vista, Venice Beach,Culver City, or other areas for an additional travel fee. Travel fee is determined by amount of time to travel to the student's home.

    Music Teacher

    Sep, 2017 - Jun, 2020

    St. Luke's School, a private K-8 school in NYC

    Teaching private and group music classes as part of the After School Program

    NYC Dept. of Education Substitute Teacher

    Sep, 2015 - Jun, 2017

    NYC Dept. of Education

    Substitute classroom teacher at various schools in the greater NYC area, for grades pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, including special education classrooms, specials classes such as Art, Music, Gym, etc, and mixed classrooms with both Regular Education and Special Education students.

    Substitute Classroom Teacher

    Jan, 2013 - Jun, 2015

    Hartford, Connecticut Department of Education

    Substitute classroom teacher for grades pre-kindergarten through 5th grade in the greater Hartford area, including special education classrooms, special class such as Art, Music, Gym, etc, and mixed classrooms with both regular education and special education students.

    Education

    Performance

    Sep, 1999 - Jun, 2003

    Berklee College of Music

    New York City Substitute Teacher Certification

    Apr, 2015 - Jun, 2017

    NYC Dept. of Education

    Connecticut Substitute Teacher Certification

    Sep, 2014 - Jun, 2015

    Various in the Greater Hartford area

    Certifications

    Certified Substitute Teacher

    Jan, 2014

    Dept. of Education, Connecticut

    I passed various tests and attended multiple training sessions to become a certified substitute teacher in the state of Connecticut.

    Certified Substitute Teacher

    Apr, 2015

    NYC Dept. of Education

    I passed several tests and attended multiple training sessions on education to because a certified substitute teacher for the New York City Department of Education in New York City public schools.

    Awards

    Full-tuition Scholarship

    Sep, 1999

    Berklee College of Music

    String Department Special Achievement Award

    May, 2002

    Berklee College of Music

    Affiliations

    Berklee College of Music Alumni

    Sep, 2004

    The Berklee Alumni Affairs Office embraces the college’s alumni as valuable members and vital stakeholders in a lifelong, global community. We strive to foster and strengthen alumni engagement in meaningful and innovative ways that support the interests and goals of alumni in their professional and personal pursuits. Guided by the college’s mission, we seek to build a sense of shared community, pride, professional achievement, volunteerism, philanthropic support, and commitment to Berklee. We celebrate and applaud our alumni as they seek to improve the world around them through their creative pursuits.

    Languages

    English

    Native Proficiency

    Danish

    Professional Proficiency

    French

    Limited Proficiency

    Spanish

    Limited Proficiency

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