Teaching philosophy

Anyone can learn to play an instrument.

I will gladly teach anyone with an interest in the violin or viola, and a desire to learn. Currently, my students range in age from 4-81, and I quite enjoy the variety. Any amount or musical background or playing experience, even none at all, is fine. I teach from the level of absolute beginner up through the pre-college level.

I respect that people have many different reasons for wanting to play.

Some of my students are serious about their playing. These students participate in competitions, devote large amounts of time to practicing, listening, playing, and going to concerts, and want to major or minor in music. Others decide they want to play recreationally, others have a goal of being able to play in a group, and still others play simply because their parents want them to.

All of these reasons, and many more, are fine! I strongly believe that learning music can be an enriching personal experience for anyone and everyone. Anyone can learn to play, and make progress through small and thorough steps, and a commitment to practicing.

I teach only music that I can teach well.

I grew up playing the Suzuki repertiore, and I have completed Suzuki Teacher Training Units 1-8 through the Suzuki Association of the Americas. The Suzuki books provide a solid technical and musical foundation, but so does lots of other music. I freely add pieces and musical styles according to the student's interest.

There are so many rich musical traditions in the world! I see no reason to be tied to just one. I am particularly experienced with Baroque/Classical/Romantic/Contemporary violin and viola, Irish fiddling, old time, bluegrass, and country.

If I am not familiar with a style you wish to learn, I will refer you to someone who is. In order to provide the highest quality of instruction, I am committed to teaching only those styles in which I have adequate expertise.

I believe in what music is, as well as in what music does.

Teaching and learning music for music’s sake is a worthy goal all by itself. Music is a unique and universal form of human expression, and is something everyone can connect with in some way.

I strive to help all of my students to build a strong foundation of musical skills and to help them to participate in music in a way that is meaningful for them. However, my central belief about teaching is one I share with Dr. Suzuki:

“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens, noble human beings. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth and learn to play it, he develops sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart.”
-Shinichi Suzuki, Nurtured By Love

In other words, if a person develops the sensitivity to truly listen to the tone of an instrument, to be able to make minute adjustments in intonation (as one example), then he or she surely has the capacity to be sensitive to the needs of others, and to help where he or she is needed.

If a person can have the discipline to practice daily whether or not he or she feels like it, then he or she can discipline him/herself to do anything.

Frustration is a part of life, and everyone experiences it, no exceptions. This is also true of learning to play an instrument. To accomplish anything in any area of life, one must learn to endure frustration, and learn to persist when it would be easier to quit.

Learning to play an instrument is a powerful way of finding and strengthening these qualities within yourself, while developing lifelong musical skills at the same time. There's no time like the present...