Violin with Michelle B.

I have played violin for nearly my entire life and have been conducting at a professional level for a decade. Nothing gives me more joy than to pass my love of music on to others! I am committed to giving back by offering today's musicians high quality individually-tailored private lessons. I design all of my lesson plans to fit each student's goals, level, and environment. I have taught students from all walks of life, from youngsters who have gone on to be concertmasters of their orchestras to adults who have successful careers in other fields and want to enrich their lives with the study of music. Most recently the Director of Orchestras and Assistant Professor of Music at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where I taught orchestra, violin, conducting, musical theatre, music history, music theory, and orchestration, I am now a freelance musician in the DFW area. I hold a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Houston, a Master of Music degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Southwestern University. My violin pedagogues include Andrzej Grabiec (UH), Martha Walvoord (UTA), Eri Lee Lam (SU), and Rodica Gonzalez (Houston Symphony). I studied conducting under Franz Krager (UH), Rob Smith (UH), and Clif Evans (UTA). *** Lesson Details *** My students receive a holistic music education through their lessons, so that they are prepared for any musical endeavor they choose to pursue. I teach beginners both the fundamentals of violin-playing and the rudiments of reading music notation. My diligent young students are rewarded for going above and beyond with music games and puzzles, which enhance the lesson of the day (not to mention stickers and prizes for accomplishing practicing goals in their practice logs!). Adults can look forward to a versatile approach to repertoire, so that they can play the music that moves and inspires them most. All students enjoy a balanced regimen of scales, etudes, technical exercises, standard repertoire, and sight-reading. My curriculum draws on, but is not limited to, Suzuki, Mastery for Strings, Kreutzer, Flesch, Sevcik, Schradiek, and others. I teach out of my home or online via Zoom. *** Studio Equipment *** At my home, I have a spare full size violin and extra rosin, shoulder rests, and strings. I also store my complete collection of method and lesson books at my studio so that we can get to work on new assignments right away and don't have to wait to order materials. *** Specialties *** I have had the pleasure of teaching private lessons, group classes, and ensembles for many years. My background is in performance, and I have a wide range of experience in education, so I am well-equipped to teach both children and adults. My teaching history spans pre-K through college and includes students with disabilities. I have designed and launched many personally-initiated string programs in Austin, Arlington, and Cedar Rapids.