Greta Bonvini

My focus and passion is helping my students to set the right foundation for violin playing, to 'do it right' from the start. In fact, one's potential for playing beautifully will always depend on the level of accuracy of one's technique. Upon request I will also teach the musical language, the basics of music theory in order to play any instrument.

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My violin lessons are about building the right foundation for violin playing. (My beginner students may also learn the necessary basics of musical language: reading notes, rhythms, and orienting oneself in music theory. ) Violin lesson will also address basic problems when needed, such as wrong habits that one might have previously acquired.

It is not enough if I tell to my students, 'do it this way'; instead, explaining the principles behind it will make the learning process more clear and more interesting, motivating students to do more.

Also, learning how to practice and how to keep one's enthusiasm  are important elements of this process. I teach my students to think correctly about their practice, helping them to slowly develop their own discernment and understanding in relation to it. I believe in cultivating in each student a creative attitude towards slowly becoming one's own teacher, finding one's personal exercises and routines. It is a creative process in itself.

I can offer musical training to:

1) any beginner musician who wants to learn the musical language: reading notes, rhythm and solfege, reading and singing simple melodies in tune, plus any aspects of music theory such as the circle of fifhts, intervals, chords, keys, etc.

2) beginner violin students wanting to ‘get it right’ from the start, that is acquiring the proper set-up, and the basic elements of technique from their very first steps of violin playing while developing a practice 'protocol', and a 'mind over fingers' attitude,

3) beginner/intermediate students who are struggling with wrong habits (e.g. set-up, bow hold, posture, left hand frame...) or who would like to learn the methods to secure a perfect intonation, or who might be wanting to give up their shoulder rest, and so on. Students who are willing to work hard in order to change, make progress, getting rid of any mistakes or technical limitations.

"[Musical] Interpretation is the final goal of all instrumental study [technique], its only raison d'être." (Ivan Galamian). Without knowing the right way of building violin technique, one may 'advance' over time, however one's technique development most likely will be incomplete, one's sound production will be poor, and  any technical limitations will eventually impair one's abilities and become an insurmountable obstacle. One's potential for playing beautifully will always go hand in hand with the level of accuracy of one's technique.

Can you teach yourself the violin?  It all depends on what your aim is. For the students who understands the necessity to 'do it right', working without a teacher is not realistic. Eventually I have chosen to study with a Julliard School's graduate, a former pupil of Ivan Galamian--one of the main violin pedagogues of the last century. I am now learning in-person a comprehensive and valuable violin systems from the golden age of violin, to be passed on to the next generations of violinists. After four years with my violin professor, I have managed to patiently fix issues previously acquired. I was also able to give up my shoulder rest, which changed my relationship with the instrument. I am learning the secrets of perfect intonation, sound production, and the methods required to patiently achieve them.

As a Conservatory graduate in piano who took up the violin, I can safely say that violin is arguably the hardest instrument to learn, and it requires utter passion, determination, and a meticulous attitude.  I hope I'll be able to help any willing violin students to set the right foundations for their future playing.

After earning a Conservatory piano degree in Italy followed by experiences with teaching and performances, I took up the violin. I have been privileged to work almost from the start with one of the most prominent violin professors in the US, who currently serves as Co-Chair of the Department of Music Performance at a renowned US University while teaching violin to students around the world. I will be able to share his in-depth knowledge to willing and passionate violin students.

- I teach violin by suggesting how to achieve one's goals, while explaining the reasoning behind each movement.

- I teach my students how to organize their daily practice with the aim of making it efficient and comprehensive.

- I make available to my students a variety of methods and exercises, personalizing them according to their needs.

- I can propose to my students unique props that will help them with set-up and basic exercises.

- I also offer music theory lessons (note reading, solfège, and all theoretical knowledge that is necessary in order to play an instrument) upon request to those students who need it.

Choosing Piano vs. Violin

I welcome new students who desire to get acquainted with classical music, learn its language, and perhaps choose between violin and piano. I will be happy to offer a comprehensive perspective regarding piano playing vs. violin playing.