Do you want to try a new instrument? Looking to advance your violin playing skills?
Open to students aged 4 and up!
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that learning music should be a positive experience, and that learning to play an instrument greatly enhances the quality of one’s life. Learning to play a musical instrument before the age of seven has been shown to improve connections between the two hemispheres of the brain (source), and there are many other benefits to learning to play music, from reading and improving math skills to teamwork and responsibility. For more benefits of music playing, see this list: https://www.learningliftoff.com/ten-benefits-of-music-education-for-students/. While teaching you or your child how to play the violin, I will also incorporate musicianship skills such as music theory, technique, ear training, and sight-reading. Above all, I will always maintain a positive learning environment. I will be using a combination of Suzuki method techniques and other methods (such as Mimi Zweig and Paul Rolland principles) and repertoire. Beginning students (who don't already know how to read music) will start learning by rote but I will also teach them to read music soon after starting the instrument.
Background
When I was four years old I asked my parents for violin lessons and that Christmas there was a tiny violin under the tree! I believe every child should get to experience the joy of playing a musical instrument. I am a professional freelance violinist with a bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from Miami University and a master's degree in Violin Pedagogy from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I play the violin for weddings, funerals, religious holidays, and other events. I have also released a Christmas album titled Snowfall, which is available on iTunes and Amazon mp3. Check out the videos tab for videos of me playing the violin, including a timelapse video from when I first started the violin.
Location
Billing Policy
Expectations: Practicing and Parental Support
Acquiring the Instrument
Violins come in different sizes for children and I recommend renting an instrument from a local violin shop rather than buying an instrument, as the student will grow out of their instruments until they reach a full size violin. It is very difficult to play on a violin that is too big for you, so it's important to get the right size.
Here are some local violin shops:
http://antonioviolin.com/
https://www.stringsnthingsviolinshop.com/index.html
http://www.baroqueviolinshop.com/rentals
After the student gets their initial violin size, I will be able to tell when it's time to move up to the next size. Also in my experience, if the student is frustrated by the tone of their small violin, it can be greatly improved by purchasing a set of Dominant strings, which I am able to put on the instrument. If you decide to buy a set of strings, be sure to buy the correct size!
You will also need to make sure you have rosin and a violin sponge. I use violin sponges rather than shoulder rests with my students because they allow for more freedom of movement when playing, and you should be able to get these at the violin shop as well. I will also have some options in stock so we can find the most comfortable fit for each student.
Studio Calendar
The studio calendar page will list when I am out of town.
If you or your child are interested in violin lessons this semester, contact me with any questions and to set up a lesson time!
Open to students aged 4 and up!
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that learning music should be a positive experience, and that learning to play an instrument greatly enhances the quality of one’s life. Learning to play a musical instrument before the age of seven has been shown to improve connections between the two hemispheres of the brain (source), and there are many other benefits to learning to play music, from reading and improving math skills to teamwork and responsibility. For more benefits of music playing, see this list: https://www.learningliftoff.com/ten-benefits-of-music-education-for-students/. While teaching you or your child how to play the violin, I will also incorporate musicianship skills such as music theory, technique, ear training, and sight-reading. Above all, I will always maintain a positive learning environment. I will be using a combination of Suzuki method techniques and other methods (such as Mimi Zweig and Paul Rolland principles) and repertoire. Beginning students (who don't already know how to read music) will start learning by rote but I will also teach them to read music soon after starting the instrument.
Background
When I was four years old I asked my parents for violin lessons and that Christmas there was a tiny violin under the tree! I believe every child should get to experience the joy of playing a musical instrument. I am a professional freelance violinist with a bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from Miami University and a master's degree in Violin Pedagogy from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I play the violin for weddings, funerals, religious holidays, and other events. I have also released a Christmas album titled Snowfall, which is available on iTunes and Amazon mp3. Check out the videos tab for videos of me playing the violin, including a timelapse video from when I first started the violin.
Location
- Contact me for my location in Cincinnati, 45248 zip code.
- I share a studio space with piano teacher Angela Birkhead-Flight: http://www.angelabirkheadflight.com/music-lessons.html
Billing Policy
- My lesson rates are $20/half hour, $30/45 minutes, $40/hour. Beginning students usually start with half hour lessons. This does not include materials (such as the sheet music, which you can order or I can order and bill you for).
- Lessons can be paid for at the start of each month, or before each individual lesson.
- Cancellation policy: if I need to cancel (for example, if I get sick) or if you need to cancel and notify me at least 24 hours in advance, there is no fee. If you cancel less than 24 hours in advance, you will still need to pay the lesson fee. Makeup lessons can be scheduled depending on availability.
- Recitals: There will be a $20 accompanist fee for recitals, which covers a piano accompanist playing with the student at the recital and rehearsing with the student in the lesson proceeding the recital. If you the parent are also a pianist, you are welcome to accompany your child instead if you prefer.
Expectations: Practicing and Parental Support
- Each lesson, the student will be expected to bring their violin and bow, rosin, a notebook, a pencil, and any music books that they have been assigned to work on.
- In lessons, I will be engaging with the student to create an inspiring, positive learning environment, and I will take notes in the notebook on what they need to work on for the next week.
- For young students under the age of 13, I request that the parent attend the lesson with them to observe what the student is working on and to be able to practice with the student at home. Practicing should occur at least 5 times a week and should be about the same amount of time as their lesson. We will talk about how to practice effectively in the lessons.
- I hope that parents will use a positive approach to motivating their students to practice, such as suggesting that they do not do other activities such as use electronics until their practicing is complete. This way, practicing is immediately rewarded with something they enjoy rather than just becoming a chore.
Acquiring the Instrument
Violins come in different sizes for children and I recommend renting an instrument from a local violin shop rather than buying an instrument, as the student will grow out of their instruments until they reach a full size violin. It is very difficult to play on a violin that is too big for you, so it's important to get the right size.
Here are some local violin shops:
http://antonioviolin.com/
https://www.stringsnthingsviolinshop.com/index.html
http://www.baroqueviolinshop.com/rentals
After the student gets their initial violin size, I will be able to tell when it's time to move up to the next size. Also in my experience, if the student is frustrated by the tone of their small violin, it can be greatly improved by purchasing a set of Dominant strings, which I am able to put on the instrument. If you decide to buy a set of strings, be sure to buy the correct size!
You will also need to make sure you have rosin and a violin sponge. I use violin sponges rather than shoulder rests with my students because they allow for more freedom of movement when playing, and you should be able to get these at the violin shop as well. I will also have some options in stock so we can find the most comfortable fit for each student.
Studio Calendar
The studio calendar page will list when I am out of town.
If you or your child are interested in violin lessons this semester, contact me with any questions and to set up a lesson time!