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If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
My studio is located at 650 Union Square in Sandy.
I enjoy being able to teach and help my students understand (know for themselves) how to play the violin/viola with an optimal beautiful/round sound, play in the most ergonomic manner possible, practice efficiently, and improve rapidly in a short amount of time.
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Dr. Jeremy Starr has led a dynamic professional music career as orchestra conductor, violinist/violist, and strings pedagogue. He was Director of Orchestras and head of string studies at Emporia State University from 2009 to 2016, and he also served as music director of the highly regarded Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2011 to 2016. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from Brigham Young University and his Master of Arts and Doctor of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting from The University of Iowa.
He has guest-conducted various professional orchestras in the United States and internationally, and he is the founding music director of the heralded Emporia Symphony Orchestra. As a violinist, he has soloed with orchestras and in recitals in cities around the United States and in Mexico and Paraguay. He has twice won university-sponsored concerto competitions and led numerous university and festival orchestras as concertmaster. He played several years with the Orchestra at Temple Square during his studies at BYU, spent 2003 to 2004 playing in the Wichita Symphony, and performed the position of Principal Second Violin in the Dubuque Symphony from 2005 to 2006.
Dr. Starr has been an influential educator, giving over 150 orchestra and string clinics and guest master classes in the United States and internationally. His ensembles, small and large, have auditioned and been selected to perform at music conferences, and his students have won or been finalists in a variety of competitions. Dr. Starr has been a faculty member both as an orchestra conductor and violinist/violist at numerous summer music camps, and he co-founded and served as Music Director for the popular hybrid music and fine arts camp WoodFest. He currently maintains a full schedule teaching private violin, viola, and conducting lessons in Sandy, Utah, training up-and-coming musicians in the Salt Lake City area and online around the world.
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I love helping individuals have more fulfilling lives through becoming better musicians!
Overview
Hired 19 times
4 similar jobs done near you
Background checked
1 employee
9 years in business
Business hours
SunClosedMon1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, PayPal, and Venmo.
Services offered
Interested musical styles
Playing style
Classical
Fiddle
Work location
My customers travel to me
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
15 reviews
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Brynn T.
Aug 30, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack
Dr. Jeremy Starr is a phenomenal violin teacher! I’ve been extremely happy with and grateful for the progress I’ve made while taking lessons from him this past year. He expects a lot out of you and wants you to achieve a very high standard of playing, but is perfectly balanced with lots of kindness and encouragement. He’s very professional, very personable, and is so generous in the sharing of his knowledge.
I would highly recommend anyone seeking violinlessons, regardless of age or experience, to take from Dr. Starr. He’s awesome!
Details: 26 - 44 years old • 2 - 4 yrs of formal training • Yes, the student can read music • Classical violin • Classical • Yes, the student has a violin • 60 minutes • At the pro’s location
Violin Lessons
Joan A.
Jun 23, 2017
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Hired on Thumbtack
Dr. Starr is an excellent violin teacher who helps students understand and apply important techniques for improved proficiency. He motivates students to improve and teaches efficient and effective practice skills. I have had several violin teachers in past years, but I can see and hear improvement in my playing after just a few months of lessons with Dr. Starr.
Violin Lessons (for adults)
Daniela C.
Mar 21, 2018
I really love working with Dr. Starr. I have never walked out of his class without learning something new. One thing I really appreciate is that he takes the time to explain the violin/viola method he teaches. I gain a deeper understanding of technique once I know why. I have had many "Oh, that makes sense" moments. Another thing that makes class fun is that his personality is very buoyant, because he is very jovial yet earnest. He has never lost his frame of mind, considering I am a teenager. He always looks for my full effort and expects the best from me, which is something that has helped me personally. I took practicing lightly before I learned how to practice effectively. I highly recommend him to anyone who is thinking to take violin/viola lessons.
Kate D.
Mar 22, 2018
In merely seven months, our daughter has gone from not wanting to play because she hated the way she sounded on the violin, to playing with such beautiful tone and musical expression I have been moved to tears. Dr. Starr's understanding of the violin and natural technic is extensive, but what is more important is that he also understands how to communicate that knowledge to his students in unique and powerful ways and with effective exercises, many he has developed himself. He is very committed to his students and can assess with remarkable precision what is holding them back, and how to help them move forward. He provides many performance opportunities through master classes and recitals where he also works to create friendship and unity between his students and their families. He is exacting in the lesson, knowing that such a difficult instrument requires steady effort and concentration, but also tempers that with humor and kindness. His devotion to his student's progress is rare, and he makes himself available between lessons when there is any need for problem solving. Added to all this is his enormous ability to communicate profound beauty on the violin and viola. Unafraid to share music himself, he lifts and inspires his students every time he plays. We absolutely recommend Dr. Starr.
Yousun H.
Mar 22, 2018
My daughter and I love our teacher Dr. Starr who is enthusiastic about music, violin, and teachings in general. He knows how to inspire. He's not only good at teaching about skills and technique, but also knows how to make beautiful music. He will also teach you how to practice between lessons and provide helpful feedback along the way. We are really lucky to have Dr. Starr to teach us.
Credentials
Background Check
Jeremy Starr
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Monthly tuition rates are as follows: 30-minute lessons = $175 45-minute lessons = $210 60-minute lessons = $245 Lessons are paid monthly at the first lesson of the pertaining month. Please note that while the number of lessons fluctuates between 3, 4, or 5 from month to month, the monthly tuition remains the same. Monthly tuition is paid by students taking weekly lessons based on set lesson rates ($50/30-minute lesson, $60/45-minute lesson, and $70/60-minute lesson) with ten weeks out of the year not counted for holidays, vacation, etc (52 weeks minus 10 = 42 multiplied by the set lesson rate). Tuition also covers recitals, master classes, hours the instructor spends selecting repertoire, scheduling, phone calls and texts, Skype/FaceTime lesson follow-ups as needed, bookkeeping, and so forth. It also covers rental fees for venues and allows recitals and master classes to be held without charging students additional fees.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Set up a trial lesson to see if you feel I am a good fit for you as a teacher, then - if you wish to continue - lessons can occur as often or as little as you wish. I am also open to teaching those who would like only a few lessons to fit their particular needs or circumstance.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Dr. Jeremy Starr has led a successful professional music career as orchestra conductor, violinist/violist, and strings pedagogue. He was Director of Orchestras and head of string studies at Emporia State University from fall 2009 until spring 2016. He also served as director of the Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2011 to 2016. He has performed as conductor and soloist with several professional orchestras both in the United States and internationally and has served as orchestra conductor and violin/viola instructor at numerous summer music camps (including the Mountain Springs Music Festival here in the Salt Lake Valley). As violinist in the Great Plains Trio, he performed and gave guest master classes in Mexico and Paraguay.
