About
Hello,
I'm Israel Carrillo, I've been giving violin and music lessons for 7 years. I've been fortunate to participate in many music festivals in the United States, Costa Rica, Panamá and México as a teacher. I work with students of all ages (it doesn't matter if they are 3 or 80), I strongly believe that music should be fun and enjoyable for everyone and as long as you want to learn, I will work with you.
I'm currently pursuing a master's degree in music performance at Cal State L.A.
I enjoy performing and teaching. Over the years I've been inspired and helped by great musicians, so I like giving back and trying to help people to achieve their musical goals.
Photos and videos
Reviews
Jessi M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I ask them if they have played or received violin lessons before.
If the answer is affirmative, then I like to listen to them play so I have an idea of their level and what to work on.
If they have never played before, then I just explain to them the basics, like how to hold the violin and the bow properly, how to produce a nice sound and stuff like that.
It is also important for me to know the goals of my student, so I know what to expect. For example, if you want to play for fun, then I'll make sure you learn but also have fun doing it. If you want to win a competition... then I will try to help you win the competition. But I need to know, so I can prepare accordingly.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I've been playing since I was 7. I studied in the Conservatorio de Castella in Costa Rica, I got a bachellor's degree in music performance at Valdosta State University and a master's degree in music performance at Cal State L.A.
I've participated in a bunch of music festivals and I've played in various professional orchestras in Georgia, Florida and Costa Rica.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Depending on how far you live I charge $50 to 60 an hour.
How did you get started teaching?
I started giving private violin lessons when I was 16. Then when I was getting my B.M in performance at Valdosta State University, I worked in the South Georgia String Project, where I got a lot of experience working with a lot of different people.
Since then, my liking for teaching has increased every day.
What types of students have you worked with?
All types.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Choose somebody who is willing to help you achieve your goals. I have had a bunch of different teachers myself, and although I did learn something from all of them, I know there were a couple that did not care about my growth as a musician nor as a human being.
Also remember, a great musician is not necessarily a great teacher... luckily, I'm both!