Playing the violin isn’t about discovering a talent. It’s about developing a skill. Or to be more precise, a collection of many different skills. There’s the skill of drawing an even bow stroke; dropping the fingers in tune; shifting up and down the fingerboard. All these and more are teachable. At the heart of it, violin technique is the intersection of athletics (learning motor skills) and physics (learning the cause and effect nature of the instrument). Anyone who is willing to put in the work can learn to play the violin.

Becoming a great musician is about much more than studying the violin, though. In some ways it’s akin to becoming a great actor. Anyone can read the lines of a script. Their lips, teeth, and tongue can make the sounds perfectly. But it takes an actor to make the words come to life. Similarly, a violinist can play the notes of a piece of music and be “perfectly” boring. It takes musicianship to give emotional meaning to the notes. This musicianship needs to be cultivated away from the violin by listening to great musicians. Not just violinists, and not just this week’s practice homework.

But in many ways, learning the violin is actually the easy part. The real work is in developing the character needed to keep pushing your limits day after day. I’m here to help you with that, too. I see myself not just as a violin teacher, but as a sort of life coach of the violin. As important as it is for me to teach violin technique, it’s just as important for me to teach my students how to build a solid practice habit. Visit my blog to read more about this: https://www.advancingviolinist.com/building-a-solid-practice-habit-what-is-a-habit/.

Learning the violin has been a lifelong pursuit of mastery for me. Contact me today, and I’ll show you how great becoming a musician can be.

That depends on your own goals and aspirations. A good rule of thumb for those who are serious is “10 minutes per day for every year of age.” And never more than 4 hours per day. For those who are less serious, aim for a minimum of 1 hour a day, every day.

I don’t limit my studio to professional-bound players. If you just want to play as a hobby, I think that’s fantastic. Making music is a wonderful thing, and I enjoy sharing my passion for classical music with people of all skill levels. But if I feel that you’re not making any progress, it’s my job to get you moved on to a teacher who can connect with you better.

Monthly tuition is due at the first lesson of each month.

30 minute lesson (ages 5-12 only): $35

45 minute lesson: $50

1 hour lesson: $65

Please fill out the application HERE. I do my best to get back to inquiries within 48 hours.

If you are exposed to someone who tests positive, please let me know ASAP. I will offer virtual lessons while you are in quarantine/isolation.