Gregory Durozel- Violin Teacher
About
Violinist Gregory Durozel, active as a soloist, orchestra, and chamber musician has performed solos with the Ars Flores, Sewanee Symphony, Coral Gables Opera and the Manhattan Symphony Orchestra. As a Chamber Musician, Gregory had the opportunity of collaborating with members of the American String Quartet, including private coaching with Lewis Kaplan, David Liesner and Oren Fader. Gregory has served as a principal player in the Juilliard Orchestra, Symphony in C, Manhattan Symphony, The American Academy of Conducting at Aspen Orchestra, and the Camerata Virtuosi of New Jersey. He performs regularly in Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher and Alice Tully. Being of Haitian descent, Gregory had the unique opportunity to perform for the former president of Haiti, Rene Preval. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Professional Studies Certificate from The Manhattan School of Music where he was a student of Peter Winograd and a Master’s Degree from The Juilliard School under Ronald Copes. He is currently a violin faculty member at the Rockland Conservatory of Music in New Jersey and The Performing Arts Conservatory in New York. He continues to work closely with renowned pedagogue Joey Corpus in the New York area.
I greatly enjoy teaching the violin to students and witnessing first hand their progress when they have overcome a technical difficulty or piece of music through hard work and disciplined practice.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When I am working with a student for the first time, I quickly assess their technical ability as well as the mechanics involved with properly drawing the bow across the string and I also check to see that there is a proper setup of the left-hand position.Depending on the current level and playing ability of the student, I always begin work on scales which I believe to be a most necessary foundation to violin playing. As for repertoire, I assign the pieces from Suzuki and the standard concerto repertoire as well as technical exercises from Sevcik and various violin methods depending on the needs of the student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I received my Bachelor of Music and Professional Studies Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music where I studied with Peter Winograd and I hold a Masters Degree from The Juilliard School under Ronald Copes. Mr.Winograd is the first violinist of the American String Quartet and Mr.Copes is the second violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet. . I am currently on the Violin Faculty at the Rockland Conservatory of Music and the Performing Arts Conservatory of New York. I am also a private violin instructor for Westchester Home Music. I have also taught students at the Classical Virtuosi of Miami Festival and I have worked closely for many years as a student of Joey Corpus who is widely considered to be one of the greatest pedagogues teaching in New York. Many of his students have gone on to have careers in the Metropolitan Opera and top orchestras in the United States and abroad. He is also the former teacher of the award-winning violinist, Lara Saint John.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For a one hour lesson I charge $70 per Hour and $45 per half hour if the student travels to me. If I travel to the student then I ask $55 per half hour and $80 per hour.
How did you get started teaching?
In 2009, My Late teacher Thomas Moore invited me to join the violin faculty for a summer festival that he began himself. It was a thrill to be able to teach young students and have the opportunity to perform for them. After moving to New York to study with Joey Corpus, I Learned many new techniques related to violin teaching from him and how to share that knowledge with other students.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students from ages 5-18.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I recently had the opportunity to perform with the New York Classical Players in a composers concert here in New York. The concert was a great success and we had the opportunity to share new and exciting music to an enthusiastic audience. New musical compositions are being composed every day and it is important to provide a platform on which these works can be shared.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Nothing is more important than the teacher you choose to work with. I have always believed that it does not matter which school you choose to continue your studies as long as you have a teacher that can not only work well with you but who is also someone you enjoy learning from. The teacher should have a complete mastery of the mechanics of the violin. They should be able to fix any technical problem and address any technical question that you might have. They should also have a clear plan musically and be bale to address your musical goals in order to help you reach them. I also believe that the teacher should have the highest expectations no matter what the level of the student may be. They should also be kind and patient with every student.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
How serious are you about learning the violin? Is it an instrument that you would like to play professionally or for the simple joy of playing? Realize that playing the violin requires the utmost discipline and dedication if it is to be done at the highest level. Also, how much work are you willing to do in order to reach your musical goals. If you would like to audition for a top conservatory, make sure that the teacher you consider is of the same mindset and can push you to reach that goal week by week.