Viola with Charletta T.

I believe that any student is able to learn to play a string instrument given quality instruction and time. Total body posture, good tone, rhythm and note reading, accuracy and coordination are essential topics for a student to master. I also think it is important to teach students self-discipline – knowing when and how to practice, being a critical listener, and asking questions to solve problems. I want to give my students the tools to become their own teachers! Learning to play an instrument is challenging, even frustrating at times; it is not a continuous upward trajectory, but a series of plateaus. With both short and long term plans in place, a good string teacher also needs to be able to think on their feet with an arsenal of illustrations, practice techniques, and inspiration to apply in difficult moments with patience and encouragement. I enjoy not only creating an individualized plan-of-study for students, but also meeting the spur-of-the-moment challenges that a student brings week-to-week through creative means. In the end, however, music is much more than perfect execution; I want my students to be able to create and enjoy the beauty that is found in music as well as the world around us. Taught by some of the nation's best pedagogues and with decades of performing and teaching experience, I look forward to working with you toward becoming the musician you want to be!