Violin with Nicolle A.

At the age of 3, I began playing the violin and was taught through the Suzuki Method. Before ever learning to read a note, I learned to play by ear- learning to listen and imitate, much as a child learns to imitate sounds and speak before learning the letters of the alphabet. This ear training, in combination with note reading and other techniques, created the groundwork for the rest of my life as a musician! The moment that would change my life as a musician came at age 12 while performing with Disney's Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra in Chicago. We had the opportunity to perform with violinist Vanessa Mae. I had never seen someone that could inspire so much electric energy and, at the same time, put such tender, heartfelt emotion into every note. A new fire and zeal for music was born in me that I can never forget! That passion for music has driven me to reach for every performance and training opportunity possible and to help others do the same. In completing my bachelor's degree in Viola Performance at the Jacob's School of Music at Indiana University, I brushed shoulders with mentors who not only shaped me as a performing musician but also as a teacher. Participating in the Suzuki Pedagogy program provided the ultimate hands-on opportunity to teach, alongside other professionals, and mold beginning violinists in their first steps. I have been teaching privately for the past 10 years, helping beginning through advanced students ranging in age from 4 to 52. It's been unbelievably rewarding watching each student's life change with music. My young beginners love the creative outlet that playing the violin and viola provides. The discipline they develop in learning to play crosses musical boundaries and can be seen in their schoolwork and other daily routines. My adult students love the opportunity to begin the musical journey they had only dreamed of in the past; or, the chance to "dust off" their instruments that they put by the wayside as a child. Equally rewarding is teaching those students with fundamentals already in place to stretch and turn their technique into expressive, musical lines! I love the opportunity to get to know the unique personalities and styles of EACH of my students and to help them put this qualities into their playing! Let me help you discover the musician waiting to come out in you!... *** Lesson Details *** I teach 30 minute, 45 minute, and 1 hour lessons. (For students younger than 8 years of age, 30 minute or 45 minute lessons are recommended.) Each of my lessons is taught one-on-one in my in-home studio. I teach a combination of the Suzuki Method and traditional styles. The Suzuki Method creates a strong technical foundation to build upon while also training the ear to work independently of note reading. I combine this method with a more traditional approach as I feel it important for the student's involvement and enjoyment to play recognizable tunes. What to expect in a lesson: Beginners: - Learning to correctly hold the violin/viola and bow with proper position - Learning the names of notes and placement of fingers - Note and rhythm training/reading; key and time signature training - Ear training - Beginning level Suzuki and traditional pieces Intermediate: - Ensuring that proper positioning and posture is upheld - Scale and rhythm training; key and time signature training - Ear training - Intermediate level Suzuki and traditional pieces - Learning shifting exercises and vibrato Advanced: - Scale and rhythm training exercises/etudes - Ear training - Advanced level Suzuki pieces and/or traditional and other classical pieces For the first lesson: Beginners: Please bring your violin (appropriate for your size), bow, shoulder rest, Suzuki Volume 1 with CD, notepad, and folder. Intermediate-Advanced: Please bring your violin, bow, shoulder rest, notepad, folder, and your most recently performed/polished piece. Parental involvement in younger students' lessons and at-home practicing is HIGHLY encouraged! (For those students 8 years of age or younger, parents are REQUIRED to be at every lesson!) *** Studio Equipment *** Piano, Violin/Viola (for teacher use), music stand, metronome, recording device, laptop