MY TEACHING BACKGROUND
I have taught privately in Bloomington, Indiana, Berlin, and privately in Toronto for over 20 years. After a maternity break, I have reopened my private studio. I teach all ages and levels. My students have been members of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Mooredale Orchestras.
I am certified as a Suzuki teacher and a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
I coach regularly for the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and participate as a mentor at the Brott Academy/National Academy Orchestra in Hamilton. Previously I was director of strings at Upper Canada College in Toronto.
I have taught privately in Bloomington, Indiana, Berlin, and privately in Toronto for over 20 years. After a maternity break, I have reopened my private studio. I teach all ages and levels. My students have been members of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Mooredale Orchestras.
I am certified as a Suzuki teacher and a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
I coach regularly for the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and participate as a mentor at the Brott Academy/National Academy Orchestra in Hamilton. Previously I was director of strings at Upper Canada College in Toronto.
MY PHILOSOPHY
In my teaching, I try to approach learning the instrument with a sense of play. Because the violin can be physically awkward, it is important to be patient at the beginning. Children are encouraged to become composers, dancers, and artists as a path towards learning how to play the violin.
Listening is paramount to success for any instrument. I encourage patronage of live music concerts of course! But when time and money are limited, then the internet is an incredible resource for seeing video footage of amazing artists, and finding a huge selection of recordings from the iTunes or other online stores. And of course we must listen to ourselves when we practice. I encourage my students, children as well as adults, to become their own best teachers. They will get so good at listening that one day they will be able to tell themselves what to do. As my former violin teacher, Lorand Fenyves, said to me "if you don't want to listen to you, why should anyone else?" Point well taken.
For young children I use the "Adventures in Violinland" series by Shirley Givens. These books are not inexpensive, but double as activity books and coloring books as well as violin method books. When children are ready I use the Suzuki books alongside the Violinland books. The first three levels are available here, and can be ordered online.
I also encourage parents to leave the instrument around and available for the child to "play" with when they feel inspired, not only for practice time. Their sense of ownership, curiosity, and discovery will be awakened.
GETTING AN INSTRUMENT
The best thing to do when beginning is to rent an instrument. I have had good luck with The Sound Post, with a rent to own program, Remenyi music, across from the Royal Conservatory, or Long and McQuade, found in different locations around the GTA. Ask that the student try the instrument for size, and check that the bow has enough hair on it, that it does not bend too far in any direction and that there are no cracks or warps in the instrument when you look at it.
I do not recommend purchasing an instrument until later when a student is committed and not growing so much! However, if you wish to go this route post on your neighborhood boards, look on Craigslist, and see if you can find someone who has outgrown their instrument and would like to find a loving home for it!
MY STUDIO
I teach from my home in Seaton Village, downtown Toronto (Bathurst and Bloor). It is easily accessible by TTC (Bloor subway line) or Bathurst Streetcar or Bus. I try to schedule two recitals a year.
If you would like to see if the violin seems right for your child, or if you need to see if we are a good match, the initial lesson is free. Feel free to contact me with any other questions you might have. Lessons are $40 for a half hour, $60 for 45 minutes and $80 an hour. I recommend half an hour for beginning students. If you are an intermediate or advanced student, we can discuss what is right for you.
I run an in-school program called play! which you can find out about on this website. I am focusing on young children and development in this program, and teaching the joy of learning an instrument!
In my teaching, I try to approach learning the instrument with a sense of play. Because the violin can be physically awkward, it is important to be patient at the beginning. Children are encouraged to become composers, dancers, and artists as a path towards learning how to play the violin.
Listening is paramount to success for any instrument. I encourage patronage of live music concerts of course! But when time and money are limited, then the internet is an incredible resource for seeing video footage of amazing artists, and finding a huge selection of recordings from the iTunes or other online stores. And of course we must listen to ourselves when we practice. I encourage my students, children as well as adults, to become their own best teachers. They will get so good at listening that one day they will be able to tell themselves what to do. As my former violin teacher, Lorand Fenyves, said to me "if you don't want to listen to you, why should anyone else?" Point well taken.
For young children I use the "Adventures in Violinland" series by Shirley Givens. These books are not inexpensive, but double as activity books and coloring books as well as violin method books. When children are ready I use the Suzuki books alongside the Violinland books. The first three levels are available here, and can be ordered online.
I also encourage parents to leave the instrument around and available for the child to "play" with when they feel inspired, not only for practice time. Their sense of ownership, curiosity, and discovery will be awakened.
GETTING AN INSTRUMENT
The best thing to do when beginning is to rent an instrument. I have had good luck with The Sound Post, with a rent to own program, Remenyi music, across from the Royal Conservatory, or Long and McQuade, found in different locations around the GTA. Ask that the student try the instrument for size, and check that the bow has enough hair on it, that it does not bend too far in any direction and that there are no cracks or warps in the instrument when you look at it.
I do not recommend purchasing an instrument until later when a student is committed and not growing so much! However, if you wish to go this route post on your neighborhood boards, look on Craigslist, and see if you can find someone who has outgrown their instrument and would like to find a loving home for it!
MY STUDIO
I teach from my home in Seaton Village, downtown Toronto (Bathurst and Bloor). It is easily accessible by TTC (Bloor subway line) or Bathurst Streetcar or Bus. I try to schedule two recitals a year.
If you would like to see if the violin seems right for your child, or if you need to see if we are a good match, the initial lesson is free. Feel free to contact me with any other questions you might have. Lessons are $40 for a half hour, $60 for 45 minutes and $80 an hour. I recommend half an hour for beginning students. If you are an intermediate or advanced student, we can discuss what is right for you.
I run an in-school program called play! which you can find out about on this website. I am focusing on young children and development in this program, and teaching the joy of learning an instrument!
