Narain’s Bay Area Violin Studio
About
Since I a child, I always loved the violin, but teaching is what really drew my interest the most. Even though I recently graduated with my BA in Music from Bard College, I have been teaching violin students privately for almost six years now. I am currently pursuing my MM in violin performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. I bring to my studio years of performance training and hands-on teaching experience. I believe that all students are capable of becoming great musicians, and I hope that my studio help students realize that potential. Students can expect weekly lessons, monthly studio classes, and daily online practice coaching.
I love seeing my students grow in skill and confidence. A lot of times, kids will approach the violin like some alien object during their first lesson. I find it incredibly gratifying to see these same students comfortable handling their violin with ease just a few weeks later. Perhaps more than anything though, I enjoy getting to know my students and developing relationships with them
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The trial lesson is always free, and an instrument will be provided for the first week. Depending on the student's age and abilities, I will design a custom curriculum for every student, drawing repertoire from Wolfhart, Suzuki, Sassmannshaus and Sevcik. Students have weekly lessons and submit short videos of their practice every day for me to review and provide same-day feedback!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a BA in Music and Psychology from Bard College, and have been teaching violin privately for about 6 years. I am currently pursuing an MM in violin performance from San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My standard rate is $60 per session, although I do adjust depending on the situation. When determining rates, I factor in travel time, family income, and student age. No matter what though, if we agree to work together, we'll come to an arragement that works for everyone!
How did you get started teaching?
I actually started my teaching "career" in eighth grade when I became the (unoffical) tutor for my math class. It really wasn't my job at all, but my math teacher saw that I was doing a good job and let me continue. Before long, I realized that I could combine my two passions for music and pedagogy and become a violin teacher. I soon found work as a violin tutor, and a year or so later started teaching privately.
What types of students have you worked with?
In different capacities, I have worked with all types of students from ages 3-16. As assistant teacher at Enriching Lives through Music and at the Villa Sinfonia, I was in charge of teaching classes with kids of all ages and abilities. Currently, my youngest private student is 6, and my oldest is 15. Some of my students are even overseas! I teach one of my students online from Canada and another from Hong Kong. In short, whatever your child needs, I will to my best to provide!
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I recently attended a San Francisco Opera concert with my Fiancee! Because of the pandemic, we hadn't attended a large orchestral concert in a long time, so it was a joy to experience music-making live once again.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
There are three main qualities I would suggest parents look for in a teacher. The first, and in my opinion most important, is kindness. I think that kindness is at the foundation of everything we do as teachers. Find a teacher who seems sincerely invested in your child's well-being and education. Secondly, I believe you should find a teacher with a broad and deep knowledge of the violin. There are so many ways to play the violin, and a teacher that is only well-versed in one system will not be able to adjust well to your child's needs. A truly knowledgeable teacher should be able to explain their own methodology thoroughly while also demonstrating familiarity of other systems of playing and teaching. Lastly, find a teacher with a plan. A good teacher shouldn't be "winging it" during the lessons. Find a teacher who has a clear idea of your child's growth and educational trajectory.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
If the student has any specific needs pertaining to their learning, any good teacher should be willing and open to hear them! As long as the student is respectful, I believe that they should all feel the agency to shape their own learning environment.