About
My favorite moment in a lesson was when I praised a little 5-year-old violin student for picking up a tune so quickly. I said "You have a good ear!" to which she replied in all seriousness, "No I have two good ears."
I especially love to teach beginners, because I love seeing their expressions when they learn something new. And I love young children! Yes it's difficult and there will be frustrations, but I will stick with you if you’re willing to work!
Being a mother of three myself, I relate well to kids. My daughter plays the violin, and my sons play the guitar.
I teach both traditional and Suzuki style. I have taken Suzuki teacher training courses, and I teach both note reading and memorization. I also include scales, ear training, interval recognition, sight reading, and a smattering of music history.
I love music, and I believe that everyone can learn to play an instrument. I play for work and my work is playing!
I am a graduate of Oberlin College, and I was a faculty member at the Dutchess Community College Music School in Poughkeepsie, Hudson Valley, New York.
Here in Florida, I’m concertmistress of the Pinellas Community Orchestra (Art Hansuld, conductor) and the Suncoast Symphony Orchestra (John Bannon) suncoastsymphony.org. And I play with the Tampa Bay Symphony tampabaysymphony.org (Mark Sforzini). And I play at weddings solo, with my string quartet, or with my pianist colleague.
Most of all, I enjoy playing along with a student and making music. With beginners I will play the same part; with intermediate and advanced I will play the harmony. Once a student reaches a certain level of playing, he/she will keep that for the rest of his/her life, and no one can take that away. I encourage my students to work toward that level and not give up!
My husband Jim plays the trumpet, and we have been playing together at weddings for years. Visit paradiesensemble.com.
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karen W.
Elizabeth R.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, I ask if they want to hear some fast or slow music. While playing, I demonstrate forte (loud), piano (soft), arco (with the bow), and pizzicato (plucking).
Depending on the age of the new student, I teach how to hold the violin before the bow. The hands do two different things!
I encourage listening to violin music -- on the car radio, Pandora, Youtube, Spotify, and those old antiques called CDs!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I hold a Bachelor's degree from Oberlin, where I also studied the Baroque violin technique and played an authentic 17th century violin and bow.
Certified in the Suzuki method, I have taught for 28 years.
Able to teach beginners (Twinklers) through advanced (shifting, vibrato, concerti).
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My prices are "the going rate" for the Tampa Bay area:
$25 for 30 minutes -- beginning students
$37.50 for 45 minutes -- intermediate
$50 for 60 minutes (one hour) -- advanced
How did you get started teaching?
I started private violin lessons when I was 7 years old, and played in school orchestras thru college. I’ve played in orchestras since then. In my 20s, before my kids were born, my niece and nephews took Suzuki lessons and I was so impressed at their ability, I pursued the Suzuki teacher training.
What types of students have you worked with?
All ages, boys and girls, men and women.
The youngest was three. He paid attention for about 10 minutes, and the remaining 20 minutes I taught his mother.
The oldest beginner was in her 50s.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My kids love learning about dynamics. Dylan loves to release some energy in this way: we begin by whispering "pianissimo", and increase the volume of our voices as we go through piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte, forte, and finish by shouting fortissimo!!!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
A teacher should have:
a sense of humor
understanding that learning a new instrument is challenging
patience
appropriate expectations
high standards
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
How long are you willing to stick with the lessons?
Learning music is cumulative. Just as we need to learn how to count in order to do math, we need to learn the basics of music before we really play. We can't take one year of math and say that we know it all. Similarly, we can't take one year of violin lessons and really play.