If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
I teach violin and viola from beginning up to an advanced level and cello and piano to an intermediate level. I love helping music students of all ages improve their skills and techniques, with patience and flexibility, so that they can produce beautiful music and feel proud and confident. I have a Music Education degree from West Chester University in Pennsylvania, and I have Teacher Certification in PA and NJ. I have also had teacher training in the Suzuki method at Ithaca College and incorporate a lot of ideas from that training and use the Suzuki repertoire when it seems appropriate for the student's age, experience, and interest. I have decades of experience, so I know how to help students avoid or correct some of the bad habits that hinder good sound quality. I also encourage (but don't require) a parent or caregiver to observe the student's lesson, particularly when the student is younger than 10 years old.
I teach at home in Washington Township (Gloucester County) about a mile from the intersection of Route 42 and Sicklerville Road (Exit 7). I teach generally on weekday afternoons and evenings. Weekend days may be occasionally used for a makeup lesson.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge of music and seeing and hearing the improvement in the student's playing skills as they progress, especially when the student shows enthusiasm for what they are learning.
Overview
Hired 6 times
Serves Blackwood, NJ
Background checked
15 years in business
Business hours
SunClosedMon1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, and Zelle.
Services offered
Interested musical styles
Work location
My customers travel to me
I travel to my customers
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.
Excellent 4.9
11 reviews
5
91%
4
9%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%
Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our review guidelines.
Read reviews that mention:
Christian M.
Oct 7, 2025
Ms. Pearl is one of the best music teachers out there. She’s patient, passionate, and truly cares about her students’ progress. My sister has learned so much from her and has really grown as a violinist. Ms. Pearl makes every lesson fun and encouraging, and you can tell she loves what she does. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great violin teacher!
Leigha B.
Aug 15, 2025
I've been having lessons with them for almost a year now and they're the best lessons I've ever gotten. They push you beyond your limits, not a lot but just enough so that you get that push you need in the right direction. I would 100% recommend to my friends and family who play instruments or are just starting out on one.
Karin B.
Dec 7, 2017
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Pearl is an excellent teacher she is patient, polite, and she works with the student to accommodate the student's musical level. I am so glad that I have found a professional that affords me the opportunity to learn the violin and enjoy my instructors teaching.
Details: No formal training • No, the student cannot read music • 45 - 64 years old • Classical violin • Classical • Yes, the student has a violin • Once a week • 45 minutes • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Saturday • Friday • Sunday • Late afternoon (3 - 6pm) • On an ongoing basis • As soon as possible • Ready to hire the right teacher now • I travel to the violin teacher • The violin teacher travels to me
Violin Lessons (for adults)
Alexis G.
Jun 11, 2023
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Pearl has been great with my 7 year old son. She has incredible patience and knowledge. In just a couple months, my 1st grader is showing confidence and genuine interest in piano and reading music!
Details: 6 - 9 years old • No, the student cannot read music • No formal training • What the teacher recommends • Yes, the student has a piano • 30 minutes • My home, venue, etc. • At the pro’s location
Piano Lessons
Danielle M.
Jul 12, 2025
My daughter has been in piano lessons with Pearl for the past 7 months. Pearl is knowledgeable and patient. She has worked with my daughter to teach her the foundational skills to play the piano so she can continue to learn how to play. Pearl is reasonably priced, flexible and helpful.
Credentials
Background Check
Pearl Nickel
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Lessons are paid for at the beginning of each month for the whole month. A month of half hour lessons is $120 OR a month of 45-minute lessons is $180 OR a month of hour-long lessons is $240. I am open to the possibility, mostly for adults, of two hour-long lessons per month at $120 for the month.
Twice a year, if there are five lessons (30 or 45 minute length) in the month, the fifth lesson will be at no extra charge. Hour-long students may receive one free lesson per year.
If you refer a student to me, you will receive a $20 discount to one lesson after the referred student pays for their fourth month of lessons.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
At the first "lesson", I like to spend time getting to know the student, learn about their previous musical knowledge and experience, and find out what their goals are for their lessons. It is also a time to evaluate the student's instrument (violin, viola, or cello students) and assess their playing skills, if not a beginner. This "lesson" is at no charge to the student.
With a beginning string player, I prefer to start them off with the basic skills of learning to hold the instrument and bow correctly and establish good habits before starting to read music. I have videos that teach the beginning skills, so that the student can watch them as many times as necessary. This also allows the student to move along quicker by watching a video of what might be taught in the next lesson, without having to wait for that lesson. They learn how to place all of their fingers properly from the beginning so that they learn to play in tune. And they learn how to produce a good sound with their bow. With these good habits developed first, then the student is able to proceed to learning to read music and play more songs.
Piano students are also started with some basic skills of proper finger placement and position (no flat fingers) before proceeding to a book, but it is a much quicker process than with string players.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a music education degree from West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Violin was my major instrument, but I have also played viola since 10th grade (that was a long time ago) and I now play viola in orchestra and in a string quartet. I also took as much piano instruction as possible while at WCU.
