Violin And Fiddle Lessons With Tara

First, I will discuss the student's current ability level and prior experience. This could include prior lessons, self-teaching, musical literacy, or study on other instruments. Next, we will discuss what goals the student has for our time together.  This could include specific skills/techniques to master, a specific piece they want to work on, an audition to prepare for, etc.  If they are not a beginner, I will ask them to play a prepared piece or excerpt for me so that I can assess their current technical ability.  I may also provide an additional exercize for them to sight read to help provide me with a more complete picture of their ability level.  Following this assessment, I will discuss with the student their goals in relation to their current status, and work out our plan to achieve those goals!

Bachelor of Music Education with Violin Emphasis, Missouri State University (2013)

Master of Music Education, University of Oklahoma (2015)

Published Masters Thesis: "Fiddle Music in the Public School Orchestra"

Co-Author: The Ultimate Etude Guide for Violin

3 Years Orchestra Director: Lamar Middle School Fine Arts Academy (Austin, TX)

4 Years (and current) Orchestra Director: Lindbergh High School (St. Louis, MO)

4 Years (and current) Director: Lindbergh High School Strolling Strings

10 Years Private Violin Teaching Experience

$35/30 minute lesson

$55/45 minute lesson

$75/1 hr lesson

Currently I have availability on Wednesday afternoon/evenings.

I have worked with so many types of students!  Here are specific examples of just a few:

-6 year old beginner

-elementary, middle, and high school students who were involved in their school orchestra, but who had never taken private lessons before

-adult beginner who wanted to learn fiddle music

-competitive high school upperclassmen, who wanted to audition for the competitive Texas All-State Orchestra

6 of my students at LHS won a seat in the All-State Orchestra!  We had a blast, and the concert was incredible.

Also, I presented the Ultimate Etude Guide for Violin at the American String Teachers' Association!  The presentation was well attended and recieved, and I was humbled to meet so many amazingly talented educators from around the country!

Over the summer, I found out my Symphony Orchestra has been accepted as a performing honor ensemble at this year's Missouri Music Educator's Conference. What an honor, we are so excited!

Make sure you find someone who specializes in your instrument.  Although well-meaning, someone who teaches violin, guitar, piano, and voice will not have the appropriate depth of knowledge in any one of those content areas.  Also, make sure the teacher is willing to hear what YOU want to learn, instead of plugging you into a pre-set program of study.

Imagine yourself playing your violin in 5 years.  What are you playing?  What skills have you mastered?

Don't hold back.  Dream big, and we will put a plan in place.