About
Music is my first love! After experimenting with several instruments, the violin and viola stole my heart. I've been playing for over 17 years, and teaching for 10.
As a teacher, I am flexible and fun-loving. I believe that music should always be fun, even when it's hard. My job is to foster a lifetime love of music, and work with students to design a custom program just for them.
I'm classically trained, but love all music, especially baroque, renaissance, and Celtic styles.
I am available for online lessons all over the world, and I'm happy to record them so you can review them all week long.
Also, I am excited to be named one of Lessons.com's top 10 violin instructors for Fort Worth in 2020 (https://lessons.com/tx/fort-worth/violin-lessons/)!
Mostly everything. Whether I'm working with adults and helping them through the struggles of being a beginner again, or working with kids, and the pure joy they bring to the things they learn - these are blessings that I wouldn't trade for anything.
I love "Aha!" moments! You know the ones, where you've worked and worked, learned and learned, and suddenly, it all makes sense.
Highlights
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Ariana
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I'm always excited to meet a new student! If you're brand-new to your instrument, I'll start with teaching you how to care for it. Vioilns and violas require a bit of care - nothing too complicated, but still important.
If you're not new to it, we start by assessing your current level of progress.
No matter what your level, I'll ask about your goals, and what music you would like to learn. I prefer to tailor a program that suits your goals than followa stock process.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
The first lesson is free, it helps you decide if my teaching style works for you.
Lessons are a flat rate per month - the first month is often only a partial month, so I pro-rate it, based on the number of lessons you attend.
30-minute lessons (4per month)
In-studio or online - $100/month
60-minute lessons (4/month)
In-studio or online - $200/month
How did you get started teaching?
Purely by accident! My twins (they're 14 now) had this great pre-k teacher who wanted music in her class, but didn't have the necessary skills. So she asked me. I, being the over-achiever I am, bought enough recorders for the class, found music I thought I could teach, and went at it!
That's where I discovered that I really like teaching - and I'm really good at it. So I started also teaching violin and viola privately.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with all ages, from the very young (4) to the more mature (81). I have also worked with kids with learning differences - ADD/ADHD, dyslixia, Irlen syndrome, Autism, Aspergers, etc.
Most often, I find that it isn't the ability or disability of the student, but the love of music that makes the difference.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I was working with a little girl, she was 5, she loved music, but I couldn't quite get her to slow down and focus for even a split second. Finally, when I just wasn't sure things would work with this student (it had been a couple of months), she looked at me and said, "I get it!"
And proceeded to play exactly what I had been asking her for the last 2 weeks.
It taught me that you just never know when something will click, and patience pays.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find one with whom you get along. There's nothing more sad than seeing a student's light dim because they picked a teacher, and then were afraid to change when it just wasn't working. I'm not the perfect teacher for everyone, and I won't be offended if we discover that another teacher would be better.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I would love to have students think about their goals. Do they just want to play a little and have some fun, or do you want to go to conservatory and pursue career?
What sorts of music do you like? Do you have favorite bands/styles/composers?
In young students, parents need to remember that kids blow hot and cold on things, and you just never know what's going to happen. I recommend committing for 6 monhs to a new instrument, much shorter and you haven't given it enough time to start clicking.