About
Dr. Svetlana Tsivinskaya is a violinist, a recording artist, concertmaster at the Livonia Symphony Orchestra, a member of the Flint Symphony Orchestra and at the faculty of Schoolcraft College. She is an accomplished violin and viola instructor of almost 20 years. She is a professional with performing experience of more than thirty years in Russia and the United States. High level of her professional education from St.
Petersburg Conservatory, Russia in violin performance and violin pedagogy (Bachelor and Masters degrees) was followed by Doctorate in violin performance from Michigan State University.
Teaching violin and viola is Svetlana’s passion and high professional expertise.
Svetlana’s violin and viola students benefit from taking lessons with her by becoming stronger and more versatile players and winning leading position at the Youth Orchestras or achieving goals that they never dreamt of. Number of Svetlana's students are accepted to Universities of Mid-West.
Svetlana provides kind, personalized and attentive care to her students and focuses on her students' technical growth that is pain and tension free. Unlocking natural musical senses is Svetlana's ultimate goal in work with her students.
Svetlana’s released CD "Schumann's Enigma" on Blue Griffin Recording earned critique’s recognition in 2017. Her solo with Max Bruch violin concerto in G minor in February 2017 was received with standing ovations.
Svetlana performs frequently on main stages of Metro Detroit concert venues such as Ecumenical Church of Detroit, Steinway Gallery of Detroit and Kerrytown Concert House.
She welcomes every student of any age and level to her studio and works on building her/his skills that are gratifying and sustainable through paced and individualized learning.
I enjoy learning variety of students that come to me and seek violin or viola lessons. Each and everyone got a gift, and it is a wonderful task and a privilege to open those gifts in my students. Also variety of personalities asks me as a teacher to be versatile in explaining similar tasks. And that makes me grow as in oder to help someone to learn, I need to learn what exactly that person needs in learning from me.
Highlights
Photos and videos
Reviews
Eric S.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
1. Interviewing a potential student.
2. Asking about his/her performing needs/goals.
3. Assessment of posture and set up(chinrest/shoulder rest) and/or building one through thorough analysis of a student’s body, strengthening posture and working on building skills that are effortless yet stable and sustainable.
4. Creating an individualized plan.
5. Building communicative atmosphere that fosters analysis and teaches to practice.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Doctorate degree in Violin Performance, Michigan State University
Additional Viola studies at Michigan State University with dr. Gandelsman
Bachelor and Masters degrees in Violin Performance, Violin Pedagogy, Chamber and Quartet classes from Saint Petersburg State Music Conservatory, Russia.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
30 min (7 year old students and younger) $35
45 min $45
60 min $60
How did you get started teaching?
Back in Saint Petersburg, at my former School of Music for children when I was 18.
What types of students have you worked with?
As young as 4 years olds and up to incredibly gifted and determined in their seventies
Accomplished players with professionally oriented goals.
Students with special needs.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
December concert of the Livonia Symphony Orchestra where I serve as a concertmaster. My studio’s master class that I organized with Yuki Mack, piano.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Research. Looking for an instructor who has a vision,a plan for a student, experience and expertise and kind care and attention to know and understand the student.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
1. Personal performing goals.
2. Fitness of the body.
3. Comfort/discomfort of technique/set up.
4. Repertoire and goals of that sorts.
5. Past learning/performing experiences.