About
I enjoy being able to teach and help my students understand (know for themselves) how to play the violin/viola with an optimal beautiful/round sound, play in the most ergonomic manner possible, practice efficiently, and improve rapidly in a short amount of time.
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Dr. Jeremy Starr has led a dynamic professional music career as orchestra conductor, violinist/violist, and strings pedagogue. He was Director of Orchestras and head of string studies at Emporia State University from 2009 to 2016, and he also served as music director of the highly regarded Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2011 to 2016. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from Brigham Young University and his Master of Arts and Doctor of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting from The University of Iowa.
He has guest-conducted various professional orchestras in the United States and internationally, and he is the founding music director of the heralded Emporia Symphony Orchestra. As a violinist, he has soloed with orchestras and in recitals in cities around the United States and in Mexico and Paraguay. He has twice won university-sponsored concerto competitions and led numerous university and festival orchestras as concertmaster. He played several years with the Orchestra at Temple Square during his studies at BYU, spent 2003 to 2004 playing in the Wichita Symphony, and performed the position of Principal Second Violin in the Dubuque Symphony from 2005 to 2006.
Dr. Starr has been an influential educator, giving over 150 orchestra and string clinics and guest master classes in the United States and internationally. His ensembles, small and large, have auditioned and been selected to perform at music conferences, and his students have won or been finalists in a variety of competitions. Dr. Starr has been a faculty member both as an orchestra conductor and violinist/violist at numerous summer music camps, and he co-founded and served as Music Director for the popular hybrid music and fine arts camp WoodFest. He currently maintains a full schedule teaching private violin, viola, and conducting lessons in Sandy, Utah, training up-and-coming musicians in the Salt Lake City area and online around the world.
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I love helping individuals have more fulfilling lives through becoming better musicians!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Set up a trial lesson to see if you feel I am a good fit for you as a teacher, then - if you wish to continue - lessons can occur as often or as little as you wish. I am also open to teaching those who would like only a few lessons to fit their particular needs or circumstance.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Dr. Jeremy Starr has led a successful professional music career as orchestra conductor, violinist/violist, and strings pedagogue. He was Director of Orchestras and head of string studies at Emporia State University from fall 2009 until spring 2016. He also served as director of the Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2011 to 2016. He has performed as conductor and soloist with several professional orchestras both in the United States and internationally and has served as orchestra conductor and violin/viola instructor at numerous summer music camps. As violinist in the Great Plains Trio, he performed and gave guest master classes in Mexico and Paraguay.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $40 for a 30-minute lesson, $50 for a 45-minute lesson, and $60 for an hour lesson.
How did you get started teaching?
I was violin/viola professor, head of the strings area, and director of orchestras for six years at Emporia State University in Kansas.
What types of students have you worked with?
All ages and all levels.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I can help students make noticeable improvement in as little as one lesson.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Set up a trial lesson to see if you feel you are a good fit with the teacher.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What would you like to accomplish? What are some of your overall goals?