Skip to main content
image of Michael M.

Viola with Michael M.

Powhatan, Virginia

5.0
(4)
Background check
Teaches online
Teaches Beginner, Intermediate
Age: 5+
Teaching since 1997
Developmental Psychology

    Unlock the Joy of Viola Playing: Personalized Lessons for All!

    🎻 Embrace Your Musical Journey - No Matter Your Age! Are you ready to dive into Viola? Whether you're picking up the bow for the first time or looking to refine your skills, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. My welcoming approach is perfect for students of all ages and skill levels! 🎶 Customized Learning Tailored to You My teaching philosophy centers around YOU. Each lesson is thoughtfully crafted to align with your personal goals and interests. From playing your first tune to mastering complex compositions, we focus on what excites and motivates you. 📚 Build a Strong Musical Foundation Under the guidance of an experienced string teacher with 30 years of expertise, you'll not only enjoy playing beautiful songs but also develop a robust understanding of key musical concepts. This includes: Note Reading Music Theory Ear Training Sight Reading Technique, and more! 🌟 Play Your Favorite Music Genre From the elegant realms of Classical to the vibrant world of Celtic music. I can use a variety of teaching methods from the renowned Suzuki Method to the school orchestra standard, Essential Elements books. I'll help you choose a method thats best for you, ensuring a comprehensive and enjoyable learning experience. 🌟 A Fun, Positive Learning Environment At the heart of our lessons is a commitment to creating a joyful and supportive atmosphere. We evolve with you, ensuring that each session is as enjoyable as it is educational. 🎵 Real-World Performance Opportunities To add an exciting dimension to your learning, we organize professional student shows and concerts. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to apply your skills in a practical setting and experience the thrill of live performance! Digital Wordsmith Certainly! Here's a call to action that you can add to the end of the description to encourage potential students to take the next step: 🎉 Start Your Viola Journey Today! Ready to explore the world of viola? Don't wait any longer to begin your musical adventure. Contact me now to schedule your first lesson and be a part of our vibrant musical community. Whether you're a beginner or looking to elevate your skills, we're here to guide you on a path filled with musical discoveries, achievements, and above all - FUN! Your journey towards mastering the viola begins with a single note. Reach out today and let that note be yours!

    Instructor details

    Location:
    Student's Home
    Student's Home
    Teaches Online
    Teaches Online

    Teaching Hours

    Monday
    7 AM-9:15 AM
    Tuesday
    7 AM-9:15 AM
    Wednesday
    7 AM-9:15 AM
    Thursday
    7 AM-5:15 PM
    Friday
    7 AM-5:15 PM
    Saturday
    7 AM-2:15 PM
    Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
    Pricing
    30 minutes
    $37
    60 minutes
    $57

    About Michael M.

    5.0
    (4)
    **I teach in-home lessons!** Hello there, I'm Michael, and I'm genuinely thrilled to have the opportunity to get to know you better! I've been sharing my passion for music through teaching since 1997, and it's been an incredible journey. My primary focus as a music educator is to assist students in achieving their goals, whether its a child just starting out, a teen preparing for college auditions, or you're trying to nail that important performance I just want to help foster a deep love for music and share my passion for the performing arts. In my career, I've had the privilege of touring and performing with notable bands such as Soul Fire and 3 Door Down, as well as entertaining audiences at renowned venues like 4 County Players in Virginia, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Carolina Players in North Carolina, Sea World Entertainment, as well as performing in theaters, film, and other media. My musical repertoire spans various instruments, including woodwinds, brass, guitar, mandolin, violin, as well as training in singing and vocal techniques, among other facets of musical artistry. When it comes to my teaching approach, I draw from a wide array of established methods and incorporate my own techniques that I've honed in almost three decades of teaching experience. I firmly believe in adapting to each student's unique learning style, whether they're 3 or 100 years old, to ensure their success. Remember, my sole objective is to assist you in reaching your musical aspirations, whatever they may be. Let's embark on this musical journey together! --=Materials and Methods I Have Used=-- My teaching approach is quite flexible, allowing me to cater to the individual needs of each student. While I'm well-versed in the Suzuki Method and proficient in popular scholastic methods, my primary focus is on the student's personal journey. I believe that every student is unique, and I aim to provide a personalized learning experience tailored to their specific goals and requirements. I utilize a diverse range of available materials to achieve this goal. However, my overarching philosophy is simple: learning the arts should be an enjoyable and fun experience. Suzuki - Traditional - Standards of Excellence - Essential Elements - Art of Achievement - Hal Leonard - and more!
    ReviewsWrite a review
    5
    100%
    4
    0%
    3
    0%
    2
    0%
    1
    0%
    5.0
    4 Reviews
    Michael
    Teacher's studio
    Stellar teacher! He really knows his stuff and how to convey it!
    Posted Feb 25, 2020
    Justine
    Teacher's studio
    I am an adult who has no experience with any type of instrument and was very nervous and intimidated at first. Then I met with Michael, and though there was a ton of information we had to go through, he really made me feel at ease. He has the knowledge, patience, and understanding I was really looking for in a teacher and I'm so happy I found him!
    Posted Feb 28, 2017
    Holly
    Teacher's studio
    With his flexibility and willingness to accommodate us my daughter learned a lot from him. He was a wonderful teacher and a great person to do business with.
    Posted Sep 12, 2016
    1122Next >Next >

    Experience

    Director and Teacher

    Jul, 2014 - Present

    Southside Arts Music & Theatre

    Direct all studio operations, teach Piano, Woodwinds, Brass, Guitar, Strings, Singing, Mandolin, Ukulele, Acting and Musical Theatre. Direct and Plan plays and shows as well as licensed musicals. Coordinate with other studios for combined performances and manage students and customer service.

    Director and Teacher

    Jul, 2006 - Jun, 2014

    Sound Movement Performing Arts Academy

    Ran and Directed a performing arts school. Taught Musical Theatre, Woodwinds, Brass, Guitar, Singing, Piano, Strings, Orchestra, Mandolin, Ukulele, and more. Planned performances, shows and concerts for students and guests. Planned and scheduled Dance classes and coordinated combined performances.

    Private Lesson Teacher

    Nov, 1998 - Apr, 2006

    Music and Theatre INC

    Taught private lessons all ages and all level for Woodwinds, Brass, Guitar, Piano, Singing, Mandolin, Ukulele, Strings.

    Touring Musician

    Sep, 1997 - Oct, 2005

    Soul Fire

    Played and Toured with Soul Fire, Created two CDs and performed throughout the US

    Music Teacher

    Jun, 1997 - Mar, 2002

    Charlottesville Music

    Taught Guitar, Piano, Woodwinds, and Brass to students of all ages!

    Education

    Music

    Sep, 1999 - Mar, 2003

    Piedmont College

    Developmental Psychology

    Sep, 2014 - Jun, 2017

    Pennsylvania State University

    Certifications

    Music 4 Kids

    Apr, 2001

    musid4kids

    This was a training course for Pre-K through Elementary music instruction.

    Suzuki

    Sep, 2003

    Suzuki

    Suzuki Music Instruction Certification

    Awards

    Charlottesville Music Teacher of the Year

    Jul, 2000

    Charlottesville Music

    Best Music Lessons in Powhatan

    Mar, 2016

    Powhatan Today

    Better Business Bureau Excellence Award

    Oct, 2007

    Better Business Bureau

    Affiliations

    American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers

    Jun, 2009

    The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 480,000 US composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers. The ASCAP is committed to nurturing music makers throughout their careers.

    Languages

    English

    Native Proficiency

    Private Lessons

    • 1:1 lessons with a trusted instructor
    • 300+ subjects to choose from
    • Meet online or in person
    • Free on-demand videos and articles