About
When I was nine I decided to become a teacher. Got my Music Education, K-12 degree in 1983. Been teaching music in public schools (seven years) and privately ever since. I love working with students of all ages and levels! We work on playing student's favorite music on violin, viola, 'cello, or piano, music theory, and composition.
https://www.facebook.com/HappyViolinViolaCelloAndPianoTeacher/
I love to see people bloom. Music opens up their hearts, makes their minds work, strengthens their abilities, determination, discipline, and confidence. It's also as fun as it is beautiful!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
This is the exciting part! Holding your instrument for the first time, learning the parts, plucking or playing the keys, learning the language of music. We want to start improvising as soon as possible!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I decided to become a teacher at nine, found the violin at ten, started playing professionally at seventeen, got my Music Ed., K-12 Bachelor's Degree, and started teaching private lessons at a sweet Montessori school. I went on to teach for seven years in public elementary, middle, and high schools. I taught for another seven years at a lovely studio in NC, for twelve years at The Music Emporium in Charlottesville, VA, and at the same time at Stevens School of Music and Arts since 2014. I love teaching and playing!
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
We work on a quarterly basis. Students may pay by the month, quarter, or lesson. Each quarter has twelve weeks in it with eleven weeks of lessons and one make-up included. If students don't miss any lessons, the twelfth lesson is an extra lesson. We are very flexible with rescheduling lessons since we want to keep our momentum going!
How did you get started teaching?
I went to my favorite elementary school and asked for an instrument. Violin was available. I fell in love the first time I held it. I'll never forget how special the violin was and how magical it felt to simply hold it and gently pluck it. I decided to teach the year before when all my dolls needed to learn how to read.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have had the honor of starting people on the violin from age 5 to 85. We've played Baroque, Classical, Fiddle, Jazz, Country, Worship, Disney, Pop, K-Pop, my student's compositions, and Improv. I love working with people on music.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Oh, I have fond memories that are formed daily by bright, talented, sweet students finding their musical way! In specific, the memory of a student's first eye-closed improvisation comes to mind. She just played and played. The music just flowed and her face was serene. It was beautiful.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Meet your teacher. Talk to them. Let them know what you want. You may not know what you want at first, so work together to find your musical path!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Do you want to work? Learning is hard work. Playing a musical instrument is hard work. Any skill worth learning is challenging And Rewarding. Music gives a lifetime of beauty, expression, and joy.