Introduction: I am a classically-trained, professional-grade violin and viola instructor. However, I approach all students with the same level of dedication to improving their craft, regardless of skill level or age. I'm very aware of the fact that the whole point of learning music is to enjoy it, so I don't take myself too seriously and I will work with you to make the most progress without discouragement. Teaching violin and viola is my sole source of income, and has been for the last 9 years; most of those in Sacramento. I'm proud of this -- it's allowed me to accumulate an impressive amount of experience. At the end of the day, though, the reason I stand out as an instructor is simply because I try very hard to be a great instructor. Every student is vastly different from the last and needs a different lesson plan. I don't use templates; every step of the way, your learning experience is entirely personalized, whether you are a brand-new beginner or an accomplished semi-pro. Don't practice enough? We can work around that, or find a solution for it. Motor skill deficiencies? We have drills for that. Lack of tone recognition? We'll play around with singing and piano familiarity in addition to the violin.
Don't underestimate your ability to learn!
Besides being a professional-grade violin and viola teacher with a wealth of experience, I have invested heavily in making sure that my students have access to every possible amenity that they might need. While my strongest trait as an instructor is my ability to teach well, having access to proper equipment can make a significant difference in how quickly and comfortably a student learns, whether they are new to the instrument or already advanced.
I have an in-house collection of different shoulder rest styles so that we can find an optimal playing position, regardless of the student's clavicle angle or neck length. I also have access to many different chin-rest styles, and am very well versed in which chin-rests work for which people. For example: did you know that being left-eye dominant tends to make a center-mounted chin rest more desirable?
I have my own rental program with a line of violins that I have found to be absolutely optimal for a beginner. Of course, no one is obligated to rent from me and I have many other sources for rentals if that is the choice of the student. I only offer it as a convenience.
If you are looking to purchase your own instrument, I have experimented with many different brands of violins and have found the ideal instruments for different budgets and playing styles. I have personally played violins that range in price from $50 to $300,000, so I have a very good idea of the range of violins that are available. Although I generally recommend that a brand-new student rents for a while until they develop a taste for what they want out of a violin, I do have a few great starter-brands that I've had good success with.
I love teaching. To me, every student is a totally different challenge, so it keeps me on my toes. But nothing makes me as happy as seeing a student make music. I try to get students playing duets with me as quickly as possible because it really demonstrates how enjoyable the musical experience can be. It's a conversation with another musician, really. And with more advanced students, we can delve further into the artistic aspects of what we're doing. We can turn a good performance into a great one. That's another special moment.
Even just learning the basics can be turned into an art if we go about it the right way. It's a novel experience for me with each different student, and I always look forward to discovering the music inside a new student. Your first note, your first song, your first duet, and your first concerto are all landmarks to me.