Vancouver, WA Viola Lessons

Royal Schools of Music and prepare them for one to two exams a year. The exams test playing abilities on 3 songs plus scales, arpeggios, ear training and music theory. Students that pass get a beautiful certificate for each level, grades 1 to 8.

I earned my music degree from Portland State University in 2006, graduating with honors. In 1996 I won two Medals of Distinction for violin performance and music theory and then in 2001 I received a Merit Award from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, London, England for viola performance. I've been blessed to be able to perform in a variety of ensembles and genres such as musical theater pit orchestras, string quartets, the Vancouver Symphony, and rock, jazz, tango, Middle Eastern and blue grass/folk bands.

My biggest thrill is to be able to transmit culture to the younger generation through music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I offer the following for my violin, viola, cello, bass and piano students. Most of all, it is the joy of music making that I want to share with my students.

Private and group lessons
Two recitals a year
Special performance opportunities throughout the year
Classical, jazz, fiddle, rock, tango, sacred, Celtic, folk
Music theory
Customized lesson plans using various methods old and new

I endeavor to provide a fun, non intimidating environment for students while motivating them to achieve their highest potential by providing many performance opportunities throughout the year. Some of my students have appeared as special guests with my band, Mango Nights.

Included with weekly private lessons are once a month group lessons where students can learn essential ensemble skills and have fun meeting other students.

Beginning students learn several simple songs that teach great tone and rhythm using classical, folk, blues, rock, ragtime, bluegrass. Students learn concepts such as syncopation, rhythm, note reading, articulations, dynamics, asymmetrical time meters and and more. Each book comes with a CD with piano accompaniment which makes practicing at home enjoyable.

Students are gradually introduced to scales, arpeggios, music theory, ear training and sight reading. All this works together to produce "the complete musician". The complete musician is a person who has excellent rhythm, pitch, note reading skills and creativity, a person who can enjoy and appreciate music in it's various forms over a lifetime whether it be for personal enjoyment or as a career.

For more serious students who have the goal of auditioning for university scholarships, top youth orchestras or becoming a professional musician, an accelerated intensive course is available in partnership with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In this program, the student is prepared for a once a year rigorous exam requiring the playing of select pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight reading and ear training. The candidate performs for the visiting Associated Board Examiner from London England and is graded on a point system. Upon passing the student receives a beautiful certificate and additional awards for high scores. Once a year at a separate time, a written exam for music theory is taken. The exams are graded 1 to 8 and can be classical or jazz depending on the candidate's choice.

*** Studio Equipment ***
electric piano, separate room for lessons, off street parking,
Convenient close in location

*** Travel Equipment ***
Small amp, Mac laptop and metronome.

*** Specialties ***
I teach many styles and genres such as Classical, Folk, Bluegrass, Celtic, Rock, Jazz, Tango and Middle Eastern.

Ensemble playing with other students.

Professional opportunities playing for weddings and other events.

teach music for over 24 years using the traditional and Suzuki methods. I am a fan of the Essential Elements 2000 for string instruments, and the Alfred's Piano Library for piano. Alfred's piano library can be used for any age as they also have books especially made for adult learners. I also like their music flash cards.
For teaching music theory I mostly used Master Theory.

I personalize every lesson, and always set goals for my students. Most of my violin students are members of the Florida Youth Orchestra as well as Gold Coast Youth Orchestra and my piano students participate in Pompano Beach competition and the annual Piano Guild auditions.
I teach any age and any level, and always stress that learning a new instrument is very similar to learning a new language, it needs a lot of patience, persistence and repetitions. My lessons are customized to my students needs, and are work in progress as they needs may change over time. I always remind my students that music can give them instant gratification when they learn to play favorite songs.
I always encourage my students to tell me about their music preferences, so I can incorporate them in their music lessons.

*** Lesson Details ***
All my tutoring sessions include reviews of previously learned material and if possible the use of technology. I use students books but often bring extra study materials if necessary.
All my lessons include: technique: I like to use the Finger Power for piano students and Essential Elements for my string students, and scales for both.
music theory: I use Master Theory or other books such as Hal Leonard's Piano Note spellers & Piano Music Theory books for younger ages, music flash cards to support learning notes and musical terminology, and of course the fun part performance.

Besides Essential Elements 2000 for strings I also use String Tunes and Fiddle Runners to add more fun to the lessons. For piano students I use Holiday Treats book, which comes in 2 different levels: Beginner & Intermediate, so my students have a new songs for a specific holiday.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I always bring violin with me to be able to show what I teach.

*** Travel Equipment ***
The students needs to have their books and assigned material ready for tutoring. Instrumental students needs to have their music books & instrument available as well as a pencil. I always stress with my students to be organized and prepared for their lesson, this way they will be able to focus better during the lesson. I bring my violin with me. I also ask that the room where the lesson takes place to be free of any distractions, such other siblings or any other noise. The quiet environment helps in faster learning.

*** Specialties ***
I tutor most K-12 subjects and prepare students to take ACT, SAT, GRE tests.
Music genres: Classical, traditional, Suzuki, Popular, Celtic, fiddle, Blues

and owner of Pasadena School of music in Pasadena California . I was an instructor for Beacock Music in Vancouver, Washington. I have been a member or the Clark College Orchestra and have performed in several concerts with them.I currently perform all over Oregon and Washington, and perform weekly for various functions in the area.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room:Roland electronic piano, seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
Violin
All required music

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki Violin, normal Violin Methods, Classical Violin and Piano, modern music piano & theory, and Viola.

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

including the Luther College Symphony Orchestra, the University of South Dakota Symphony, the Kent State University Orchestra and the University of Akron Symphony Orchestra. Dedicated to performing chamber music, he currently plays with and is the manager of the Cuyahoga String Quartet. Additionally, he has founded several ensembles including the Enigma String Quartet, the Rosen String Quartet, and several piano trios.

Andrew earned a MM in Chamber Music and Violin Performance from Kent State University where he studied with Cathy Meng Robinson (Miami String Quartet) and Jung-Min Amy Lee (Assistant Concertmaster with The Cleveland Orchestra). He studied chamber music with members of the Miami String Quartet and the Verve Chamber Players. Prior to Kent, he earned a MM in Violin Performance from the University of South Dakota studying violin with Dr. Eunho Kim and chamber music with members of the Rawlins Piano Trio. He earned his BA in Music from Luther College where he studied with Drs. Virginia Strauss and Jubal Fulks. Additional studies were undertaken with Frederick Halgedahl, Dan Auberbach and Maria Peters.