Vienna, VA Violin Lessons

I do a variety of styles in music for the violin. I use whatever method (book or teaching style) is needed to teach what the student needs to learn. I have been teaching violin for 25 years. Depending on age, we will start in either Essential Elements or Suzuki. All beginners will start the bow after they can read the first 8 notes. All intermediates will be able to play 2 octave scales from 3 sharps to 3 flats as well as well into Wolfhart book 1. They will also be able to shift into third position cleanly and will be starting on vibrato. For Advanced players, we will be working on Concertos, sonatas, and partitas if they wish to go classical. IF they wish other styles, we will have started that in intermediate. All students will have an opportunity to go through the music development program, if they are interested.

I've been teaching String Instruments like Guitar and Violin for Beginners and Intermediate level for many years.
In Teaching Violin for my beginner students, we usually review the basics of how to play the violin including how to hold the violin, violin tuning, violin fingering , violin bowing and violin care. My students also do warm-up to strengthen and improve their violin playing with violin scales, violin etudes, and violin exercises.
For my Intermediate violin students, we refresh our memory of the fundamentals of music theory such as how to read violin music, rhythm and key signatures.

Combining my classical training (Bachelor's degree) and teaching experience, I have become an effective violin teacher for learners of all ages. My students have been highly successful (state orchestras, competitions, etc), but most importantly, they love the violin and have a deep motivation to improve their skills.

Teach students of all ages and levels

I teach violin from beginner to advanced, from basics, shifting, vibrato, music theory, technique,different bow stokes and styles to the most refine concepts of violin artistry.
I love to teach solo classical repertoire but also violin orchestral repertoire, chamber music repertoire, improvisation and Romanian folk music.
I also teach group ensembles, duos, trios, quartets, etc. I help students with their orchestral music and audition pieces. I believe music teaches discipline, builds self esteem; helps set and achieve goals; and positively affects and enhances other curricular endeavors. My students look forward to coming to their lesson, and that is very rewarding as a teacher.

I have a lot of experience with the Suzuki method as a teacher and also a player having started with that myself. However unless the player or parent specifies that they want strict Suzuki, I go with my method which involves Suzuki but also other methods. I was not strict Suzuki and it definitely worked for me as well as students of mine!

My students build technical proficiency and musicianship through a variety of personalized exercises, etudes, and pieces that encourage their creativity and a love for all kinds of music. Most importantly, they have lots of fun!

My ultimate goal as a teacher is to educate and inspire my students, provoke and develop their interest and love to music and the violin. While not solely using a single method or school, I use a combination of all knowledge I earned as a pedagogue on the multiple continents. I guide each student into the discovery of the most natural, relaxed technique and develop a set of skills necessary to be able to understand, analyze and interpret music of various styles and genres.

Hi! My name is Topé and I a classically trained violinist of 16 years. I began taking lessons to learn how to play the violin at 4 years old and have played in area orchestra's and advanced symphonic groups. Having grown up in Northern VA and played in a variety of orchestral groups from elementary school to my senior year of high school in Fairfax County Public Schools; I have a great understanding and experience in how to practice for entrance into Regional and All-State Orchestra. I am currently a rising senior at the University of Southern California where I am a pre-medical student who plays in orchestral groups out of the Thorton School of Music - ranked 2nd under Julliard in the Top 25 Music Schools in the US.

I would love to learn more about you and your goals!

I look forward to speaking with you.

Best,
Topé

Hello,

I am a recent graduate of William & Mary, I have spent the majority of my life (since I was 5 years old) developing my passion for studying the violin. My sister (who plays the cello) and I kept our study of classic music active with the two piece string group we formed. We have played at weddings, holiday parties and nursing homes throughout the D.C. area. I'd love to have the opportunity to further pursue my love of the instrument through private lesson.