Julie Paradies Violin Lessons

Julie Paradies Violin Lessons

5.0(2 reviews)

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.


Highlights

Hired 2 times
1 employee
35 years in business
Serves Seminole , FL

Payment methods

Cash, Check

Specialties

Do you own a violin?

Student who has an instrument, Student who is planning to purchase an instrument and would like advice

Years experience

No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience

Able to read music

Student can read music, Student cannot read music

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Instrument interested in

Violin

Photos and videos

  • Francie and Julie
  • A student with Julie
  • Greg, Julie, Jim
  • Julie, Gregory
  • A bit of Pachelbel Canon
  • A bit of Pachelbel Canon

  • Reviews

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    KW

    karen W.

    Julie Paradise is a wonderful violin teacher! She takes the time to explain how to properly hold the violin, place your fingers on the strings, etc. She plays each new song on her violin so my 9 YO daughter can hear what it sounds like. She also takes the time to walk through each song, pointing out different bowing and fingering positions. I love that she plays the violin with my daughter because it really helps her hear when she may not be playing exactly the correct rhythm or note.
    Julie also takes note of personal things she hears my daughter talking about. For example, she mentioned that her grandmother’s birthday was coming up, so Julie took the time to find the music for “Happy Birthday”, printed it out for her & taught her how to play it. It’s now one of her favorites & she likes to play it for friends & family on their birthday.
    Julie is a well-versed musician and even plays in three different orchestras! She has been teaching violin for 34 years and is trained in the Suzuki method through book 4, and will be completing more training this summer. She is very professional, an excellent teacher and also makes lessons fun. I wholeheartedly recommend her!
    ... Show more
    May 23, 2023

    ER

    Elizabeth R.

    We love working with Julie! Shes a fantastic, intuitive teacher who responds to students needs and meets them where they are. She keeps lessons and learning violin fun and interesting for my stepdaughter. Julie also takes the time to send additional learning and listening resources for students to access beyond lesson time. She is very flexible with scheduling, which is a must when accommodating blended families. Were very lucky to have her as our childs teacher!
    ... Show more
    April 21, 2023

    Frequently asked questions

    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!

    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).

    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

    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. 

    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.

    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!!!

    A teacher should have:

    a sense of humor

    understanding that learning a new instrument is challenging

    patience

    appropriate expectations

    high standards

    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. 


    Services offered

    Violin