Viola Lessons in Bellevue. Amazing Teachers.

Arie Schächter has been Assistant Principal Viola with the Seattle Symphony for over a decade. He has won several awards in international competitions, including Top Prize at the Markneukirchen International Viola Competition in 2001, and Third Prize at the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition in 2000. He has a Master’s degree in music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music, where he worked as a teaching assistant while pursuing his degree.

Mr. Schächter has performed in numerous music festivals throughout the United States, including the Aspen Music Festival, the Caramoor Music Festival and the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival. He has collaborated with members of the renowned Cleveland String Quartet and the Tokyo String Quartet. Since joining the Seattle Symphony in 2004, Mr. Schächter has been performing in various chamber music series in Seattle, including Simple Measures, Music of Remembrance and the Seattle Symphony Chamber Series.

Welcome to my violin and viola studio! I believe that every student can enjoy the process of studying an instrument, and can learn to play with ease and joy. As a result, I work to determine each student's learning style, look for ways to encourage individual ownership of learning, and adapt my approach to help meet each student’s needs and goals. I teach both Suzuki and traditional lessons, and draw from a variety of musical styles and approaches to help students develop a broad range of skills that include a strong technical foundation, ear training, sight-reading, ensemble playing, and musical self-expression. Through this approach, I hope to help students develop a lifelong love for music that will serve them in all future endeavors, musical or otherwise.

I am a professional violinist and violin instructor in the Washington, DC Metro Area. Currently teaching in Arlington, VA and Washington DC, I am now accepting new students to my home studio.
I have a great love for music and hope to be able to pass it on to anyone eager to learn. I teach beginner to advanced violin and viola students of any age, child to adult (adults, it’s never too late to learn if you have always wanted to!). Although there is no specified age limit, children younger than the age of 6 are admitted only at my discretion.
For beginners, I like using a combination of traditional and Suzuki methods. The materials used are Essential Elements and Suzuki Books. All my teaching is adapted to each student individually, catering to their specific level and interest.

Let's start playing together!

Viola can be an exciting instrument to learn and master. So how you get there is up to you, but practice is required to succeed with any instrument. Taking lessons with me, you'll be provided with technique that was developed by esteemed artists and pioneers, such as Lionel Tertis. I have a B.Mus in Performance from Northern Illinois where I studied with the very talented and musical, Anthony DeVroye of the Avalon String Quartet. Additionally, I've attended the Chicago College of Performing Arts and studied there with Lawrence Neuman of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Roger Chase -a former student of Tertis- who is a major figure in the Viola world for his artistry and masterful control of the viola.
The study of chamber music has afforded me the honor of working with even more musicians, including Shmeul Ashkenasi and Mathias Tacke, both of the Vermeer Quartet.
Should a student decide to take lessons with me, we will begin on laying a solid foundation of technique on top of ...

I am an experienced teacher with a PhD in music education. All of my lessons are tailored to each individual student's goals. I believe in encouraging students to begin making their own musical decisions from the beginning. We will work on tone quality, vibrato, technique, and style. I also like to incorporate music theory and composition into lessons, especially where there is a lot of student interest. Is there a specific style of playing you want to explore? Let me know! Your lessons are about your musical growth and fulfillment.