Seattle, WA Viola Lessons

do. She earned her Masters in Violin Performance from the University of Nevada, studying with Philip Ruder, and Bachelors of Music under Kathryn Lucktenberg at the University of Oregon. Additionally, she studied viola with Yuval Gotlibovitch at Indiana University during her doctoral program in Ethnomusicology.

with a variety of bands in my home state of New Mexico, as well as Japan, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Since 2006 I have been an active teacher. This profession has taken me everywhere from working with classical guitar classes in New Mexico high schools to Elementary students in Japan to a variety of private students of various musical instruments and genres everywhere I've been. Since relocating to the Bay Area in 2010, I've had the pleasure of working with lots of great students from kids to adults with a wide range of ambitions. Since 2012 I've been running my own full time studio.

Philosophy of Learning

Lessons are generally designed to work towards giving students the tools to accomplish their goals and become increasingly independent over time. While all students will study similar fundamentals regarding technique, theory, and performance, every lesson is as different as every person. What kind of music do you want to make? I'll tell you what you need to do to get there, and help you take the steps to achieve your aspirations.

I also love to help students put together a song, record, and produce it for them so that they can have a recording to share with their friends and family.

I also hold events for my students. (Check out our pictures and videos below!)
Younger students have opportunities to perform for friends and family at my studio every few months. Once or twice a year we'll also stage a larger event off site for more individual students and bands classes to perform.
Adult students also occasionally have events where they get a chance to get together and play music as well.

Aside from in-studio lessons, students also have the option to sign up for online lessons via Skype.
(*Online lessons offered during different times than in-studio lessons.)

*Unfortunately due to scheduling issues, I'm not currently accepting students for bi-weekly lessons. I can do regular weekly lessons, or occasional drop-in lessons, but bi-weekly appointments make it really hard for me to give the best scheduled times to my existing weekly students. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

My studio is equipped with:

*Music Stands

*A P.A. System

*Vocal and instrument microphones

*Guitars, Basses, Ukulele, Banjos, etc

*Two guitar amps and a bass amp

*Various percussion including a fully equipped acoustic drum set

*A Roland V-Drums electronic drum set

*An electric piano console and Yamaha organ

*A MicroKorg Synthesizer

*A Tuba, Trombone, Cornet, Saxophone, and Flute

*An extensive physical and virtual music library

*A recording system that students are not only welcome to use but encouraged to

*HD Webcam and condenser microphone for high fidelity online lessons via Skype

e but at the same time I am asking the students to give their best effort. Setting frequent goals in form of group classes and recitals keeps us in full sail and teach us to enjoy the act of playing both alone and in front of friendly audience.
I teach both classical and Suzuki methods. I like to keep my students musically well fed and encourage exploring music reading and music theory next to practical skills. I stir my students toward high standard personal level in their studies, an ingredient from Finnish cultural climate.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki method and classical method, fiddling, beginning jazz, improvising

utside. Skiing, fly-fishing, and backpacking are some of my favorite things in the world.

*** Lesson Details ***
I teach guitar (beginning through advanced), and beginning violin, viola, and cello, as well as offering Spanish tutoring.

Although classical guitar is my primary strength, I am more than willing to teach any style that a student may want to learn. If you want to learn rock, blues, jazz, etc. I'd be thrilled to teach you that particular genre. To me, style is simply a vehicle to learn over-arching musical ideas and skills.

The most important musical skill that I can help students develop is reading music. If a student can read music, regardless of current technical ability, ambition, or musical preferences, they will be able to learn more music than I will ever be able to teach them. Linguistically, the most important skill I can develop in students is listening (though I do, of course, teach students to read, write, and speak as well). This is the base of so much future learning, as they will hear much more than simply what they are learning in tutoring sessions.

I make it my serious goal to teach myself out of a job, to give students the tools that they need to go out and learn as much as they possibly can (or want to), so that when our lessons eventually come to an end, they have a solid base from which to grow.

My personal style is fairly laid back. I am a very easy-going individual, but I do expect that my students practice. As long as a student is practicing and putting forth effort, I will bend over backwards to help them.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have my own instruments and books. I expect students to have their own instrument and be willing to buy books as well.

*** Specialties ***
Classical Guitar

chers include Richard Ferrin, Viola (Chicago Symphony Orchestra), Uroš Pešić and Mihajlo Mihajlović.

Marija is a Chicago-based freelance violinist and violist with various chamber ensembles and orchestras performing classical, jazz and pop music. She also performs in Europe and takes participation at Summer Festivals in Serbia and Italy.

She is on a Faculty at Sherwood, the Community Music School at Columbia College Chicago as a violin and viola teacher. She is also the artistic director of the string teaching program MB Muzik and Violin Conservatory, where she offers online violin tutorials.

nal piano goals and skill levels are, I will help you improve and enjoy playing the piano more. I am very patient, encouraging and supportive of your desire to play the piano better. In addition to piano, I teach beginner and intermediate violin and viola students.

I encourage all my students to perform once or twice a year but this is entirely optional and based on the student's comfort level.

I am available and willing to travel to your home for an extra fee as long as public transportation is available.

to your individual technical and musical needs!

amber music coach with the Northshore School District and Seattle Chamber Music Society. She enjoys working with people from all different backgrounds and ages.

master), as well as the Budafoki Dohnanyi Symphony Orchestra (Budapest, Hungary)

Whether you're a beginner looking to explore a new instrument, or a young professional preparing for an orchestral or college audition, I'm eager to share my passion of music with you!