April Atkinson Playing And Performance Coach
About
I was raised by two professionally performing musicians and took many lessons from several teachers throughout my life, starting at a very young age. The real treasure of my experience was being able to play with my parents as well as many other incredible musicians. These experiences taught me a lot about what is expected out of performers, regardless of where you are playing, be it in an orchestra, band, solo, or as a recording artist. My mother taught violin for the entirety of my life at home; This is invaluable for someone who also wants to teach. Music training is among the greatest workouts for the brain and body bar none. I know there is nothing more precious than a teacher who cares about the student's learning. Passion for sharing a love for ones learned and practiced gifts, is what makes a teacher greater, and the student all the better for the instruction.
I get a thrill out of being able to witness the pride people feel when they learn something new, especially when it is something they thought to be more difficult than it actually is. There is nothing that literally thickens the connections between both brain hemispheres as well as learning an instrument does.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to use the first lesson as a guage of how the student best learns and what their interests and intentions are, and then I can build on there already available motivations. Whether you are alone in yourselves/child's wish for success in the feild of music or not, I hope to inspire folks to pursue the things they want to accomplish so that practicing won't be a dread.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I was Suzuki trained for violin through book 8, as well as fiddle training from my mom, who studied with Suzuki himself as well as Earl and Max Collins in Oklahoma while she made a documentary about American fiddle music for the Smithsonian. I played in various orchestras in middle and high school. My mom was a violin fiddle and piano teacher after school as well as the orchestra teacher at many schools throughout my childhood, so I watched more lessons being taught than anyone would care to (which I appreciate now of course!). I got to witness her teaching methods every day after returning from school. My mother was a very dedicated teacher, and I am proud that she extended her knoweledge to so many people. I want to do the same.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Usually I give the first lesson for free, as my mother did. After that, I do $50 per hour, $25 for half hour for violin/fiddle. $20 per half hour/ $40 per hour for guitar. All of my previous students took lessons in half hour units as to avoid getting overwhelmed. *Studies say that practicing in smaller segments of time is a faster way to develope muscle memory.