Ellie's Music Studio – Piano, Violin, & Viola Lessons

The process with each new student is unique, as it depends upon the student's place as a musician, on their instrument, and in life. I like to take a few lessons to get to know my student as a thinker, as a player, and as a human being who needs compassion and support.

In the first few lessons, I hope to find out what prior experience and standing knowledge the student has: Has he or she played piano/violin before, or is this her first time touching a piano or violin? If she already plays, has this student had lessons before? What was the previous teacher's style, and what were their expectations? Does the student have any method books?

Most importantly, I hope to discover where the student wants to go as a musician. Students are supported in learning the music that excites them, from classical repertoire to fiddle tunes to pop piano. This repertoire will be supplemented with exercises to help students develop the skills they need to make their music—our goal as a student-teacher team is to make the end song or piece easy!

Education: Bachelor's of Music in Viola Performance, June 2023 Certification: Suzuki Certificate Violin Book 1 certification, August 2017 Performing Experience: Newport Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Principal Viola, 2021 - present OSU Opera Workshop, Conductor, 2022 - 2023 Orchestra Next, Section Viola, 2019 - 2022 Oberlin Orchestra, 2018 - 2019 Corvallis-OSU Symphony, Section Viola, 2017 - 2023 Portland Youth Philharmonic, 2011 - 2017 Teaching Experience: OSU String Orchestra (MUS 164/364/564), Instructor, 2022 - 2023 University Symphony Orchestra (MUS 160/360/560), Teaching Assistant, 2020 Private Instructor (Violin, Viola & Piano), 2013 - present

$50 per hour lesson, $25 per half-hour lesson

I come from a musical family and grew up hearing my mother teach piano and voice lessons. At the age of 13, I began teaching my own students. I also coached middle school string quartets when I was a high school student at Alliance Charter Academy. From 2015-17 I served as String Ensemble teacher for Canby Community Education in Canby, OR, and taught intermediate middle-school viola students in Portland Youth Philharmonic's Peer Mentor program.

On piano, I have worked with children ages 3 and up using Nancy Faber's Piano Adventures series, and adults using both Faber and Bastien adult learner methods. On violin and viola, I have started students ages 3 and up from the beginning, and also taught intermediate and advanced students.

I love witnessing the moment when an ensemble comes together and really feels great about their playing. Nothing gives me more joy than the joy of my students!

I advise students to choose teachers based upon the teacher's skill level on the instrument, the teacher's goals for their students, and the teacher's kindness and compassion. It is essential for students and teachers to be on the same page regarding goals. For example, a student and a teacher who both want to work on Celtic fiddle music will work well together; a student who practices minimally will not work well with a teacher who expects the student to play concertos. Lastly, it is important for the student and the teacher to mutually respect one another. Teachers must have empathy and kindness for their students.

Students should assess how much they are willing to invest in their lessons in terms of time, effort, and finances. If a student doesn't want to practice at all, it is not worth taking lessons. However, not every student needs to have a goal of becoming a virtuoso. Students should assess their goals realistically, thinking about what kind of music they would like to play and what kind of work it will take to realize that goal.