Introduction: "After meeting Stan Antonevich for our son's violin lessons, we feel that we have discovered a true gem in our neighborhood. Stan is an incredibly gifted violin virtuoso. He has a unique way of conveying his deep mastery of violin playing to our son. In merely months of studying with Stan, our son has gained a noticeable appreciation of the violin sound quality as well as an effective way to improve it through proper techniques taught by Stan. Stan's teaching continues to spark our son's interest in classical music and inspires him to practice on a daily basis. "
-- Pei W., Chestnut Hill, MA
"I first met Stan while free-lancing in orchestras throughout New England where he usually served as a concertmaster or soloist. For more than 15 years, I’ve been continually inspired by his superb leadership skills and stylish, exquisitely elegant violin playing!
From our long professional acquaintance, I know that Stan is passionate about teaching and has the same extremely high standards for his students as he does for his own performing. This is a very rare combination which makes him an ideal teacher for students who wish to achieve and progress at the very highest level.
A few years ago I taught a young beginning viola student who was one of the most musically joyful and inspired students I’ve ever taught. She developed a beautiful tone very quickly, as well as the ability to play with flawless rhythm and intonation. When I discovered that she was simultaneously taking violin lessons from Stan, I immediately realized that Stan’s teaching was the reason for her great success!
Stan's artistic integrity and intensity as a teacher and performer are rivalled only by his unique and irresistible sense of humor! I highly recommend him as a teacher for any student who has the desire and commitment to excel!"
Scott Knopf, Violinist/Violist/Teacher
The violin is part of me -- it can express anything I feel, and these emotions are transmitted to the audience through the music. With my violin, I can touch people's soul, making them happy or sad. I often see people cry at my performances after sad pieces such as Schindler's List. As an artist, I can paint pictures with my music, that people can see in their mind as they listen. For example, ocean waves in Sibelius' violin concerto, or mountain meadows in Bruch's violin concerto. The interpretation of music is a much more artistic endeavor than simply reproducing the notes, and I feel that the violin gives one more freedom of interpretation than other instruments.
I started giving private violin lessons when was studying in the Masters' program in Violin Performance at the Longy School of Music. I was a recent immigrant and needed income. I found that I like teaching, and I was surprised to see how much I had learned from my own violin teacher -- not just how to play, but how to teach. A violin teacher is like a doctor, constantly diagnosing the student's playing and figuring out how best to improve it. Teaching and performing satisfy different aspects of my identity as violinist, and I need both of them for balance in my life. I really enjoy sharing my music with the audience when I perform, and I enjoy passing my knowledge to the next generation as a teacher.
