Samantha Peng Viola Lessons
About
I am a passionate believer that musical talent is not innate or inherent. It is grown through hard-work, self-discipline, proper guidance from caring teachers. As a private teacher, I believe in the potential of all my students to achieve their goals. Maintaining a positive and honest relationship with my students is an important aspect of my teaching philosophy.
I have been teaching viola/violin for a year in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, traveling to high schools and middle schools to give private lessons. So far, I am very proud of the students I have taught the longest who work hard and have a lot of progress to show for it.
Link to my website: https://samanthapeng.weebly.com/
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
In first lessons, we (teacher and student) will introduce ourselves and share a little about ourselves. Also, what our ultimate goals with taking private lessons are.
I terms of playing the violin or viola, I have students play a scale (1-2 octaves) and gauge what area of understanding (intonation, rhythm, tone, technique, etc.) needs to be addressed the most. Books I typically use are the Suzuki books, Barbara Barber scale books (for beginning-early intermediate), and materials of my own as needed. The biggest issue I work through with my students is technique and playing tension, based off of my exposure to Karen Tuttle coordination.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I received my Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance at the University of North Texas and have been studying viola for 14 years. I have studied with Helen Fall, Dr. Daphne Gerling (UNT), Dr. Susan Dubois (UNT), and Ann Marie Brink (former member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra of 20 years).
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
1 hour lessons = $60
45 min lessons = $45
Travel cost flate rate = $10*
*if I travel to your home
How did you get started teaching?
The head director of a great high school orchestra program communicated with me about teaching viola lessons at her school and through my work with her students I branched out to teach at other schools in her area.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with middle school and high school aged students. I am also open to working with adult amateurs who are just picking it up or want to pick it back up again.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Every day I teach lessons I usually come away with many moments to be fond of, but recently...
my students having their Solo & Ensemble competition and reflecting on the progress of their hard work and practice. It makes me happy to see their satisfaction with themselves.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for a teacher who challenges you to do more and opens your understanding and appreciation to what the music world has to offer.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Is this a problem I can solve on my own first? Is this a problem my parents or musician friends can help me solve? Has my teacher told me how to address this problem in the past?
All practicing is, is problem-solving, so having questions is a natural part of the process.