Learn How To Play A VIOLA!!!

About

Hi! I'm an active concert violist, playing 20-30 shows per year throughout the SF Bay Area - orchestra, chamber groups, quartets, studio gigs, flashmob, you name it!

Have you ever wanted to learn to play a string instrument? Why not try a viola, with its deeper, richer voice, but portable like a violin?

Specializing in helping adult starters who always wanted to learn to play music, and also for youth beginners.

Highlights

Serves San Carlos, CA

Reviews

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Ed W.

I would gladly recommend teacher Jay. My son needed to learn to play viola fast because there were too many violinists in his school orchestra. I played violin as a child, so I am somewhat familiar with violas. But I wasnt sure about teaching my son the right way. Alto clef and all!

We had a great experience. Jay is marvelously calm and patient. I dont know how he does it. My son enjoyed his lessons for sure. Although I suspect he may have fancied all the swords on the wall more than whats on the music stand.

We moved back to east coast. So we are no longer seeing teacher Jay. My son continues to play music, which makes me very happy and proud.

January 13, 2018

Jian C.

My daughter has been taking lessons with Jay. Shes recently turned 6. She has such a lovely time with teacher Jay. Hes funny, and caring. Very child friendly! He seems to keep a good track of my daughters progress and I can tell she loves learning viola playing.

September 09, 2017

Frequently asked questions

What is your typical process for working with a new student?

Viola is an instrument of compromise. Its larger size can be unyieldy, and ergonomically challenging. I like to start with posture correction, and developing proprioception before handling an instrument.

Unlike violin, there is no hard set standard on how a viola is constructed and proportioned. Every maker comes up with their own interpretation to acoustical/ergonomical/asthetical problems. And so we, the musicians, also must come up with our own solutions that allow us to express our own voice.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

My primary studies have been (and continue to be) with Leon Igudesman, the first violinist in the San Francisco Opera. I've also studied with, as opportunities rose, with various pedagogues (through lessons and masterclasses) such as - Don Ehrlich, Helen Callus, Anna Kruber and more.

Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.

Lessons are $30 for 30 min, and $60 for 1 hr.

How did you get started teaching?

I've always had a talent for teaching. From Jr/Sr high school days, I was a private tutor for sciences and math. My day job is a full-time fencing teacher with (inter)national results - i.e. veteran world champion, Junior Olympic bronze medalist, North American Cup medalists, Youth Pan-Am champion, etc. Great deal of that skillset transfers to my music making.

As a concert musician, I'd like to share what I've learned with budding musicians, and those aspiring to find their own voice.