About
I teach violin lessons on the North Shore of Staten Island. I prefer to teach in my home, but am open to travelling to my students if they're within biking distance. Zoom lessons are also possible, for students with at least one year of experience.
My lessons are well-rounded, including classical repertoire, basic music theory, sight-reading, and other genres the student is interested in. I teach all ages.
About me: I have been playing violin since 1997. I taught my first lessons over 10 years ago, and have been regularly teaching students in Staten Island and Brooklyn for almost two years. I studied classical violin at Sarah Lawrence College (2011), and also hold a master's degree in songwriting from Bath Spa University in the U.K. (2014). I am a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and recording artist, as well as a teacher, and am very passionate about music.
I was blessed with a well-rounded and extensive foray into music, and I love paying it forward to another generation. You never know what's going to happen with each student, and I enjoy thinking I could be an influence on a future musician. It's also just tons of fun being able to do what I love for a living.
Highlights
Reviews
Karen S.
Dan G.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I'll ask the student how much experience they've had, and ask them to play a song or sightread some music so I can gauge their level and find the right place to start. If the student is a complete beginner, I will begin by teaching basic violin technique, as well as how to read sheet music.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I played violin throughout public school and college, playing in orchestras, small ensembles, solo repertoire, participating in local competitions, pit orchestras, and performing as often as I can in genres encompassing classical, rock, pop, and jazz. While violin is my best instrument, I am a multiinstrumentalist, holding a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College ('11) and a Master's in Songwriting (M.Mus) from Bath Spa University ('14).
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$30 per half-hour lesson / $50 for one hour
I also offer ukulele lessons for $20 per half-hour lesson
How did you get started teaching?
I taught my first students throughout my freshman and sophomore years of college (2007-2009). Following graduation, I continued teaching private lessons as supplementary income to my other work, until 2018 when it became more than a side-gig.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have mainly taught children from age 4 to 16, with a few adult students. I'm open to teaching anyone, as long as they're interested in learning!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
1) Be prepared to practice! As a beginner, aim for 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days per week. You can increase this time as you gain experience and interest.
2) Don't cram! Practicing for two hours one day, and then not practicing the rest of the week, is worse than practicing a few minutes every day. You will improve through consistency--not cramming.
3) Buy a music stand! I have seen too many students waste their time, struggling to balance their music on chairs/tables/bookshelves, and straining their eyes to see, when they could have been spending that time playing music. You'll make it easier on yourself by buying a music stand early on.
4) Download a metronome app and tuner. It used to be necessary to purchase these as physical devices, but now they are available as free apps--perfect for a beginning student.
5) Be open to buying a shoulder rest. I try to teach without a shoulder rest at first, but some students end up needing one.