Joycelyn Choo

Introduction: While I love performing, my true passion lies in teaching violin I have been trained in violin pedagogy through a program offered at Biola University. I specifically love working with children. In my past experience with teaching children, I have had the privilege of seeing their simple joy and eagerness. I believe that children can best thrive and learn if their learning styles are catered to and if they are loved. One of my goals as a teacher is to discover how I can best help the student learn. Is the student a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner? Does the student better understand the technical concepts if I use helpful analogies? My greatest goal as a teacher is to love my students. Originally, Suzuki initiated his violin teaching program not for the purposes of raising musical prodigies (which incidentally ended up happening), but for the purposes of nurturing children into noble souls who eagerly engaged in the pursuit of goodness, beauty, and truth. I believe that since goodness, beauty, and truth are inherent in music; it has the potential to transform someone's life. However, without the catalyst of love, music can be rendered to a mere means of selfish gain. I believe that it is through the unconditional love that parents and teachers offer their kids/students, regardless of their skill, that the students begin to explore the beauty of music. As far as my teaching methods are concerned, I prefer using the Suzuki method to teach beginners. The Suzuki method is a highly esteemed violin pedagogy method that allows students to play pieces by ear (as opposed to reading music). I believe that the Suzuki method allows the beginner students to concentrate on technical concepts and ear training skills without the added complication of learning how to read notes. About half way through book 2 (out of the 10 suzuki books), I like to introduce the student to note reading with supplemental sight-reading, rhythm, and etude books. While there are 10 suzuki books, I will only teach up to book 5. After that point, I like to choose pieces that will best suite the student's technical needs. I also like to supplement the Suzuki books with additional positioning and scale books. About me: I have been studying the violin since the age of 5. I have studied at the Colburn school of music in Los Angeles with Dr. Chan Ho Yun and I currently study with Elizabeth Larson at Biola University (Violin Performance Major). My achievements include: soloing with the Loma Linda Academy Chamber Orchestra, leading the Biola String Quartet, performing in a masterclass taught by the world renowned Menahem Pressler (Beaux Arts Trio), and performing with the Biola Symphony Orchestra as assistant concertmaster.