Gregor Kitzis (Teaching)

$75/hour

estimated price

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Responds within a day

Introduction: I perform regularly at Carnegie Hall with Orchestra of St. Luke's, have performed and recorded with David Bowie (Heathen), play lots of chamber music and contemporary music concerts and have toured extensively but always lived in NYC. While I studied with Jascha Heifetz protege Erick Friedman to get my BM and MM from Manhattan School of Music,, Charlie Castleman at The Quartet Program and Chris Lee, concertmaster of NJ Symphony, my teaching is based on what I learned as a performing musician in NYC. Working with great players here showed me what they all had in common versus what were just my teacher's idiosyncrasies. Using your body efficiently to avoid injury is at the core of what I teach. It's never too late to correct old habits and if you're a beginner there's nothing better than getting off on the right foot. Playing well in your 20's is entirely different than having learned how to avoid injury and play well in your 50's. I teach anyone from beginners of all ages to young professionals preparing for auditions to older people who always wanted to do this and just need someone to spark their curiosity.

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Hired 32 times

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44 years in business

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2019

2018

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Interested musical styles

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Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.

Exceptional 5.0

28 reviews

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Jeremy J.

Apr 14, 2019

Hired on Thumbtack

Gregor is an engaging violin teacher whose many years of experience on the instrument clearly come through in lessons. My favorite part about studying with him is his ability to tailor the lesson to the individual - I studied piano for many years before this and he's able to tap into the knowledge I've built there and leverage my already-existing musical experience and apply it to the violin. He also is able to zero in very quickly on mistakes (or less-than-perfect habits) that I make and recommend immediate ways to course-correct. His expertise, patience, and sense of humor make the one-hour lessons go by very quickly. Would definitely recommend.

Details: 26 - 44 years old • No formal training; some self-taught experience • Yes, the student can read music • Classical violin • Classical • What the teacher recommends • No, but the student is planning to purchase a violin and would like the teacher's advice on it • 60 minutes • I travel to the violin teacher

Violin Lessons

Devanathan T.

Feb 1, 2018

Hired on Thumbtack

Gregor is among the most patient and encouraging teachers I have had. I am picking up the violin after over a decade and he has helped me rediscover my love for the instrument. In addition to the wonderful work ethic and his attention to detail and all the other qualities others have spoken about, one thing that has personally helped me greatly is his experience with all different styles of the violin. I learnt to play with the Indian style (sitting down) and the Indian style of tuning and was concerned about the switch to the western style of tuning and posture. I have taken 4 lessons with Gregor and I already feel super comfortable playing the western style and am making good progress! Would definitely recommend!

Details: No formal training; some self-taught experience • No, the student cannot read music • 25 - 44 years old • What the teacher recommends • What the teacher recommends • Yes, the student has a violin • As recommended by teacher • 60 minutes • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Evening (after 6pm) • As recommended by teacher • As soon as possible • Conducting initial research • I travel to the violin teacher

Violin Lessons (for adults)

Tiffany M.

May 9, 2017

Hired on Thumbtack

Gregor Kitzis is an amazing teacher as well as a very inspiring one. He is a great communicator and will work with you at your speed and comfort level. Very out going and attentive guy! Great with teaching me how to handle my violin, teaching me propper technique(s) when it came to my sound overall, and many other things within only an hour of time! It was a memorable experience overall. I am definitely looking forward to my next lesson ♡

Violin Lessons (for adults)

Leslie D.

Apr 15, 2018

Hired on Thumbtack

I tried two other teachers over the course of a year and a half as an adult beginner before I found Gregor. I kept stopping and starting because I couldn't find a way to hold the violin comfortably and play without tension. I didn't look forward to practicing because I could already tell I was developing bad habits. When Gregor responded to my inquiry on here about lessons, the way he described his approach to the violin and teaching was exactly what I'd been looking for, and lessons since then haven't disappointed. He's very focused on making sure I'm playing comfortably and problem-solves with me as I go. Within a couple weeks I was holding the violin and playing more comfortably than ever before, to the point that I was surprised it could be that easy. He's continually finding new ways to make my playing even easier, and I'm learning more each lesson than I ever had in the many lessons I'd had with other teachers before that. For anyone looking to learn correctly the first time rather than speeding half-blindly through a method book, Gregor is your man.

Details: 0 - 2 yrs of formal training • Yes, the student can read music • 25 - 44 years old • Classical violin • Classical • Yes, the student has a violin • Once a week • 60 minutes • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Saturday • Friday • Sunday • Evening (after 6pm) • On an ongoing basis • Willing to work around teacher's schedule • Need some more information before hiring • I travel to the violin teacher • The violin teacher travels to me

Violin Lessons (for adults)

Peg Y.

Apr 19, 2019

Hired on Thumbtack

I can't say enough good things about Mr. Kitzis, just to name a few - Mr. Kitzis know how to prevent injuries. He teaches all important positions (how many violin teachers out there can do this or even bother to care about this for a student? Not too many, perhaps, very difficult to find. But Mr. Kitzis emphasizes this and he teaches everything he knew.) He explains the rationale clearly which helped me to be able to integrate his knowledge to my personal conditions. (He really wants his student to learn as much as they can. He's generous and loves what he's doing.) Mr. Kitzis also noticed the 4/4 violin does not fit my body size so he helped me to replace a 3/4 violin. (most other teach would not even notice such details. In fact, most teachers do not understand how to tell whether a violin fits you or not. Again, because he is a top pro.) Actually, I start out without any prior knowledge of violin but this is not a problem for Mr. Kitzis. He used very easy and intelligent method to allow me to learn and enjoy violin (not all teacher can do this. Mr. Kitzis can because he is a top pro in his field.) Now, I have been going to Mr. Kitzis' classes for about 6 months and will continue to my violin study with Mr. Kitzis. Every violin class with Mr. Kitzis I gain and I improve. Most importantly, each class is a joyful learning time. Thank you for teaching me violin, Mr. Kitzis! :)

Details: 26 - 44 years old • No formal training • No, the student cannot read music • What the teacher recommends • Classical • Jazz • No, but the student is planning to purchase a violin and would like the teacher's advice on it • 45 minutes • I travel to the violin teacher

Violin Lessons

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Gregor Kitzis

Gregor Kitzis (Teaching)

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