Ear Training with Mikaela H.

St. John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy

I am the head of the music department at a private K-12 school in San Francisco. I design and administer the curriculum for general music studies in the elementary school. We present music performances twice a year and students study music theory, ear training, music history, and music appreciation. I also run an after school violin program at the Academy. In addition to teaching music, I am the head teacher of a 2nd and 3rd grade class, as well as the Dean of Students for the entire student body. I love the challenge of wearing so many hats, because it inspires my creativity and gives me the chance to bring a positive impact to so many young people on a daily basis. I also have the pleasure of teaching core subjects to a combined second and third grade class.

Self

Mikaela Holland, has been sculpting her career as a musician since her first public performance at the age of 5, a year after beginning her violin studies. Audiences and critics alike have found her remarkable in her “poise; depth of expression; light and fluid technique; and her beautiful old world sound”. Mikaela graduated sigma cum laude from The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University at the age of 20. She was accepted to both the Performer Diploma and Bachelor of Music programs at 15 as a Jacob’s Scholar, one of a handful of elite students selected each year to receive a comprehensive merit scholarship for their studies. She earned her B.M. in Violin Performance under the tutelage of Professor Alex Kerr, former concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Previously, Mikaela studied with Ronald Patterson, a student of Jascha Heifetz. Mikaela made her solo orchestral debut at 10, performing Mozart’s “Turkish” Concerto. A Seattle native, she has since made her mark as a compelling soloist with orchestras including the Seattle Symphony, the Northwest Sinfonietta, Bellevue Philharmonic, Coeur d’Alene Symphony, Sammashish Symphony, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras, the Eastiside Symphony, and the Louisville Orchestra, consistently eliciting resounding standing ovations. She has also performed as soloist in venues such as the Seattle Chamber Music Society’s “Emerging Artist Series ” and at the Keshet Eilon Mastercourse in Israel. Mikaela holds top prizes from competitions in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia, Kentucky, and nationally. At 11 years old she performed with The Northwest Sinfonietta, distinguishing her as their youngest and only winner ever, invited to perform a full-length concerto. At 12, the Vancouver (British Columbia) Kiwanis recognized her with a scholarship for “the most promising violinist whose playing expresses natural sensitivity and feeling”; and at 13 she was honored as 2nd place Winner in the National Finals of the Music Teacher’s Association competition. Acclaimed for her eloquence and imaginative artistry, her aspiration to make the beauty of classical music more accessible to the world has inspired her to perform more than 100 outreach concerts of her own design, offering both solo and chamber repertoire for people of all ages and backgrounds. In 2012, Mikaela began teaching music, beginning her own private violin studio for students beginner to adult in San Francisco. Her teaching centers on an ergonomic approach to beginning violin playing focused on developing healthy long term playing habits through an understanding of the mechanics of violin playing. Several of her students have been accepted in recent years to the prestigious Ruth Asawa School for the Arts in San Francisco. Outside of her private students, she also teaches full time at the St. John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy, a Classical K-12 academy in the heart of San Francisco, where she runs the music program.

Indiana University; Jacobs School of Music

Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music

Native Proficiency