Mullers Music Violin And Viola Lessons

At the very first lesson, the student will be playing their instrument starting on day 1.  From there, skills and knowledge are taught quickly enough as to keep the student engaged, through game-theory-based methods of learning which are satisfying and fun.

Over the years of my teaching experience so far, I have explored and implemented countless method books, resulting in a unique curriculum combining only the best parts of many other methods, resulting in my own original materials.

Students will be exposed to many styles of music (mainly classical) and will have constant opportunities to learn and perform the music that they already love (usually not classical). Students will also be taught how, and encouraged, to write their own musical compositions and explore deeper musical concepts through music theory and history.

As a performer, I have travelled around the world performing as a soloist, chamber performer, and orchestra member (a career which I no longer pursue as extensively) and achieved my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Viola Performance from the University of Arizona.

I have served as an instructor and guest clinician at a number of schools and music programs including the Allegro School of Music, Tucson Summer Music, Sunnyside and Tucson Unified School Districts, the Fine Arts Youth Academy, and Tucson Jr. Strings.

One-hour lesson: $60 per lesson

30-minute lesson: $40 per lesson

Travel: $10 per lesson (exceptions apply)

My first experience teaching was as a sectional instructor for Tucson Jr. Strings, which I first started college in 2010, around which time I also begin offering private lessons to interested students (who had heard of me from my reputation as a performer).

Since then, I have constantly been working to improve my teaching strategies, materials, and resources to best support my students, their families, and my community.

I have experience working with students of all ages from 5-year-olds through adult working professionals.  I have valued my experiences working with students with disabilities, young children, school-aged students in middle and high school, and adults with the type of careers that require flexibility of lessons and practice.

Every student I have worked with has been unique, of which I am very proud, and value highly when customizing lesson plans for each individual in accordance with their interests and goals.

I was heartbroken by having to leave from my hometown of Tucson, where I was raised and had grown my musical community of my awesome students and their families over the course of my career.  Before moving out to Virginia, I put on a final recital for all of my students and felt overwhelmed by the amount of love and support I received!

Many students who found my teaching style irreplacable continue to receive lessons from me online; although, in-person lessons are much easier and my colleagues back home accepted many of my former students into their music studios.

I am very much looking forward to rekindling that feeling of mentorship and community, and to continue to learn as much from my new students as they will be learning from me.

It is extremely important that you like and respect your teacher as a person.  I know from experience what it's like trying to learn from someone with whom I didn't see eye-to-eye, and that's okay! Everybody is different and has different sensibilities; that is why I always offer my first lesson for free for us to get to know one another first to establish whether it will be a great fit.

Additionally, it is important that your musical goals align with the expertise and specialization of your teacher.  Students have asked me in the past about learning certain skills with which I am not fully an expert (for example, contest-level fiddling), and I tend to recommend friends and colleagues of mine who I know to specialize in their specific interest.  Likewise, I have accepted former students from friends and colleagues who have known me to be the expert (for example, viola and improvisation).

It may seem obvious to most, but be sure to use complete sentences in email and treat the teacher with dignity.  The teacher-student (and the student's parents, if relevant) is a many-year relationship and both sides must benefit from the exchange; please don't insult me or argue with me over loopholes; keep the big picture in mind always so that we can best help eachother.  My guess is that anybody who takes the time to read this is the type of person who doesn't need to be told :)

As for music-based needs, the student should always ask me any questions and make requests whenever possible. I have worked with students in the past who felt too shy or embarassed to ask for things that I would have complied instantly, had they only mentioned it (for example, learning a specific song, sitting down or standing up during lesson, taking it easy with practicing during final exams at school, aspiring to more ambitious music, etc.)