Gregor Kitzis

I teach anyone; from children and adult beginners to professionals preparing for auditions, anyone dealing with repetitive use injuries, older people who always wanted to do this but thought it would take more time than they had, and especially everyone who thinks it's too hard or takes too much time or, even worse, think it will be more work than fun.

I've performed regularly at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, performed and recorded with David Bowie (Heathen) and played lots of chamber music and contemporary music concerts. I've toured nationally and internationally but always lived in NYC.

While I studied with Jascha Heifetz protege Erick Friedman to get my BM and MM from Manhattan School of Music, Charlie Castleman at The Quartet Program and Chris Lee when he was concertmaster of NJ Symphony, my teaching is based on the realities of what I've learned as a performing musician. Working with great players showed me what they all had in common versus what were just my teacher's idiosyncrasies. This is why it's so important to be a good player if you're going to be a good teacher. You can't teach what you don't know so never take lessons with someone unless you like how they play.

To parents and beginners, I promise that my students don't make that typical, squeaky, beginner violinist sound that you dread. I can prove it to you in our first lesson! Making a good tone ALWAYS comes first.

Using your body efficiently to avoid injury and without pain is at the core of what I teach, which is why I've studied something called The Alexander Technique for so many years (look it up!). Playing well in your 20's is entirely different than having learned through experience and study how to avoid injury and play well in your 50's and 60's. Lots of teachers say "relax" and "play without tension" but don't know how to teach you to actually do it, especially as quickly as I can. It's never too late to correct old habits if you know how to do it and if you're a beginner there's nothing better than not learning bad habits in the first place!

If you don't own a violin yet DO NOT BUY ONE. That would be like buying a car before you know how to drive. Save your money and rent until you develop your taste in violins and decide whether you're going to stick with this or not. I can put you in touch with a luthier who rents the best sounding violins I know of for only $35 per month and if you decide you want to buy it then 100% of your rental payments for up to a full year apply to the purchase price. Beat that.

I teach in a modern and quiet doorman building on Riverside Drive in Manhattan just 5 minutes from the George Washington Bridge.