Parents are encouraged to take an active part in music lessons. I’m thankful that you have decided to make playing a musical instrument a part of your child’s life, and I invite parents to attend lessons and to ask questions about the process and benefits of learning to play violin or viola.
New Students
If you are thinking about starting violin lessons or viola lessons for your son or daughter, I accept new students throughout the year. Please call or email me with questions.
Many parents wonder if their child is old enough to start taking lessons. This is a natural question, and it varies with each child. I have started many students at the age of 3, but some aren’t ready until they are four or five years old.
The wonderful news is that learning to play a musical instrument helps children developmentally, so even if violin or viola lessons aren’t appropriate for you right now, I can tell you about music programs specifically designed for very young children.
Scheduling
I currently see students in my private studio in Oakland, CA, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Each student is given a specific time in my schedule. Lessons are 30, 45, or 60 minutes long.
I am unable to travel to students’ homes to give lessons, and many parents, much to their surprise, have found that their child has a better experience going to a music teacher’s studio for his or her lessons. The teacher’s studio is a special place for many students, and these students are free of any distractions there may be at home.
Studio Policy
Music lessons are about teamwork. The teacher, student, and parents all work together to achieve the musical and personal goals of the student. I have a fun, friendly teaching studio where students are encouraged to ask questions and be creative.
For lessons to be successful, everyone on the team needs to be part of the process. We all need to focus during our time together, to communicate openly about goals and progress, and to do some work in between lessons so that the student is getting the most out of the process. For a copy of my studio policies, please click here.
Practicing Guidelines
I work closely with each student to come up with a practice plan that will work successfully. The goals for the week are clearly laid out in the student’s Practice Planner book at each lesson.
Benefits of Music Lessons
The benefits of playing a musical instrument continue to be documented in study after study. Among the benefits showing up in this research:
–Higher levels of self-esteem and self-motivation.
–Better grades, higher test scores, and higher graduation rates.
–Comfort performing and speaking in public.
In addition to how fun it is to play a musical instrument, these benefits give parents many more reasons to encourage their children to study music!
Instruments
Families are encouraged to work with me to help them select the best instruments for students. There is an enormous range of both quality and price for violins, violas, bows, and instrument cases. Sometimes, the higher-priced instruments are not better quality!
Before you decide to rent or purchase an instrument, please talk to me. I’m happy to make recommendations!
Tools for Musical Success
There are several tools to be successful playing music. Beyond the instrument and bow, here are a few must-haves:
–Music Stand
–Metronome
–Musician’s Practice Planner notebook
–A means to listen to recordings: CD/mp3 player, computer, IPod, etc
Sheet Music
I develop a specific list of sheet music and music books needed for each student. Please feel free to discuss these materials with me. You can purchase music for lessons from my website.
