Karen Li Markowicz
About
I am a violin teacher with almost 30 years of experience in music education and performance. I graduated as a National Music Teacher with a specialization in violin from the López Buchardo National Conservatory and have studied with renowned masters such as Ljerko Spiller, Francisco Hasaj, and Rafael Gintoli.
Throughout my career, I have been part of various chamber ensembles and participated in festivals and concerts at prestigious venues, such as the Carlos López Buchardo National Conservatory, the Metropolitan Museum of Buenos Aires, and the General San Martín Cultural Center. I was also a member of the Academic Orchestra of the Teatro Colón.
Since 1996, I have taught violin and chamber music both privately and in academic institutions, including my work as a teacher at the Conservatory of the City of San Pedro. My pedagogical approach combines solid technique, musicality, and emotional connection with music, adapting to the needs of each student so they can develop their maximum potential.
Teaching Style
Each student is unique, which is why I adapt my lessons to their needs, goals, and learning pace. My approach combines high musical standards with a close human connection, motivating students through their achievements and helping them to develop a method to take advantage from every single mistake.
Frequency and duration:
- I recommend at least one individual one-hour lesson per week, complemented with music theory if necessary.
- For those taking more frequent lessons, I organize learning into specific areas (technique, interpretation, repertoire), ensuring timely corrections and more solid progress.
- For young children, I adapt the duration and structure with games and breaks according to their concentration.
Class structure:
- I work on technique, repertoire, and sometimes I include sight-reading.
- I use recognized methods and my own material adapted to the student's level.
- I emphasize the importance of practice at home, establishing effective and sustainable habits.
Pillars of my teaching:
- Refined technique (including correct posture of the whole body) and interpretative expression.
- Confidence and motivation, helping each student develop self-confidence.
- Complete musical experience, encouraging public performance and making music with others.
My goal is for each student to grow musically while enjoying the process and discovering their own voice through the instrument.
Curriculum
- Teaching Philosophy – My approach is tailored to each student’s abilities, challenges, and interests, always integrating discipline, structured routines, and enjoyment of the learning process.
- Lesson Structure – I focus on bowing technique, scales, left-hand technique, and repertoire development.
- Materials & Resources – I use technical books such as F. Walfahrt, N. Laoureux, E. Arias, H. E. Kayser, D. Alard, M. Crickboom, Ch. Dancla, O. Ševčík, B. Bartók, R. Kreutzer, and H. Schradieck, as well as progressively adapted classical repertoire.
- Practice & Progress – I help students set a structured practice plan, defining how many days and how much time they should dedicate each week. They can send me questions or videos between lessons to optimize their practice. We also set clear goals, such as preparing a piece for a specific event, recording a video for social media, etc.
- What Makes My Method Unique – I create a strong connection with my students, combining high standards with motivation, and ensuring they enjoy the learning journey.
Credentials & Affiliations
I am a National Music Professor with a specialization in violin, graduated from the Conservatorio Nacional López Buchardo (Argentina) in 2001. I do not currently have the original diploma in my possession, as I left it in Argentina when I moved to Panama four years ago. However, the institution can be contacted to verify my credentials.
I held the violin chair at the Conservatory of San Pedro from 2004 to 2008. For this, I am attaching the registration document for the position.
