FAQs

• What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
  Your first lesson is a free consultation. You may take a sample lesson or observe. Students have an opportunity to experience a sample lesson at their instructional level while we design a lesson experience that meets their needs. Most of our students study at a more affordable rate as year-round members of the TEC studio. ***See below for details. Students who wish to study for a limited number of weeks may take instruction at the hourly rate which is $80. per hour. Private Instruction on Saturdays is $100.00/hr. ***For the most affordable instruction in our program please ask about becoming a year-round member of the studio: Lessons in the Irvine Studio can be scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays -- 10:00am-9:00pm or Saturdays -- 9:00am-3:00pm. PreTwinkle Violin Classes for preschoolers on Saturday mornings with 3-4 children is $200.00 per child every 12-week session. 30min. private instruction per week, every 12 weeks is $360.00. 45min. private instruction per week, every 12 weeks is $540.00 60min. private instruction per week, every 12 weeks is $720.00 Tuition can be paid in 4 week installments. Discounts are available on the year-round rate for families with more than 3 children in the program on weekdays.
• What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
  New students may come for an initial free consultation and sample lesson at their level. They may have the opportunity to observe other violin students. This gives you an opportunity to ask many questions about violin study in my studio and for me to evaluate your needs as a student. Then I can make recommendations about method books and violin equipment that would be appropriate for your needs. Even though I am a Suzuki Violin teacher, I have a BA in Music Education and I am familiar with the pros and cons of a variety of method books for the violin. It is important to learn as much about each student's needs in the first few lessons. If you are starting from the beginning the Method Books I recommend will depend on your age and development. I usually recommend parent-friendly materials for parents with young children who do not have a musical background. Some older beginners and adults without any other musical background also prefer these method books. Some beginning violin students have played other instruments, i.e. piano and are comfortable reading music and organizing their practice habits. I pretty much allow students to chose the method books in my Pinterest collection that meets their comfort level. If you have previously studied with another teacher I will ask you to bring all of the materials you have used to your first lessons in my studio. I am looking for the best way to transition you to the instruction you need most to make progress. I have all of the materials that New Students might need, linked to my Pinterest online. You can find the follow button for my Pinterest on my website. Each student level has their own collection of materials to get started with. I encourage you to obtain the recordings you need for instruction at your earliest convenience and start listening before you come to your first lesson. None of these Methods can replace the attention of a skilled violin teacher.
• What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
  Even after going to Japan and studying with Dr. Suzuki and graduating from his Institute with three years of study may seem to be the most complete teacher training one can receive in the Suzuki Method, I continue to receive more training at institutes with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. At every opportunity, I continue to add to my training with more teacher training workshops sponsored by the Suzuki community in the US. I have often been invited by local professors of the violin to observe their advanced college & conservatory students. I am always searching the internet looking for research-based teaching methods and collecting new teaching ideas from teachers around the world. Having a BA in Music Education is only a starting place for a violin teacher. It was a privilege to receive additional training with Kerstin Wartberg the publisher of Step by Step Materials and Alice Kanack who develops Creative Development materials. Alice's work has given me more insight about how improvisation can be made accessible to children. A desire I have held since my Jazz Violin studies with the late David Baker. At 92 years of age, Dr. Suzuki was still looking for better ways to teach the violin. He surrounded himself with innovative young teachers. I can only honor him by emulating that kind of curiosity. Every new student presents me with another opportunity to make the violin accessible to a budding new musician. Even though I love working with my advanced students, I am not afraid to work with students who have challenges. I must be a violin students violin student. If I can learn to make the violin accessible to a child with special needs how much more can I make the violin accessible to all students?