Tacoma, WA Viola Lessons

so taught music as a camp counselor, college tutor, and workshop leader. Whether you are looking to pick up a brand new instrument, learn a new style, or work on improving on what you already know, Kathryn can help you reach your goals.

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.

and New Jersey and has taught at the secondary level in both states. In addition to both instrumental and choral ensembles at Penn State, Thomas was a student leader in the Penn State Blue Band and a member of the brass section of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993 and 1994. He served as an Associate Director of the Warren Junior Military Band of Youngstown, Ohio from 1995 to 2005. He also served as a visual staff member for the renowned North Penn Marching Knights of Lansdale, PA for one season in 2004.

He is a current adjudicator with Drum Corps International and Cavalcade of Bands. He is a member of MENC, PMEA, NJMEA, ASCAP, CASA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the National Band Association. He appeared in the Marquis Who's Who Among American Educators in 2004 and 2005, an honor rarely bestowed upon teachers, as students who appear in the Who's Who Among American High School Students must nominate them. He currently is a music teacher at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts of the PA Leadership Charter School in West Chester, PA and resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife and two sons.

Thomas will happily work with students on the autism spectrum or students with ADD.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are tailored to the needs and interests of each student. If a student is involved in school music ensembles, we will work with their lesson books from school in addition to material outside of the books, including SmartMusic, Noteflight, and teacher-created materials. We will focus on building proper tone production and individual technique - something that often is difficult to learn in a large ensemble setting.

I am capable of starting a beginner student on any band instrument including percussion, any classical string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass), and piano. I can begin a student on drum set and work with them through their first method book, but I would then recommend they find a specialized drum set teacher after a period of six to twelve months.

For advanced students, I work from selected conservatory etude books on developing advanced skills and can work with students on audition pieces for honors bands/orchestras or college auditions.

My lessons are a half-hour once a week, with the option of working for 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

*** Specialties ***
music, band, orchestra, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, viola, cello, string bass, piano, Percussion
classical, jazz improvisation

friend to a concert.

Aside from music, I love being outside. 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.

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 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. 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

and Schoenberg.

My passion is teaching, and helping people meet their learning goals. I look forward to meeting you and helping you become a wonderful musician!