About
I have 33 years of experience studying violin, 26 on piano and 22 on organ. I have a degree in violin performance from Western Connecticut State University, where I graduated summa cum laude. I have played all three instruments professionally for over 20 years, and have 18 years of experience teaching private lessons.
I have been the concertmaster of orchestras through the collegiate level, as well as played professionally for the Waterbury and Wallingford symphonies.
Without any other student preferences, I teach in the traditional style that I learned in. On strings, I use the Suzuki method books for their progression of repertoire and techniques, but I am a firm proponent of music literacy, so I teach note reading immediately. At the intermediate levels, I find most students enjoy mixing some folk or popular music in with the traditional repertoire. On piano, I have used both the Alfred and FJH series of method books.
I am also happy to accommodate student goals - I have taught students who are specifically interested in a style of fiddling, for example, or who need to focus on a specific technique such as shifting or vibrato.
I like to keep the student playing as much as possible in our time together. My vocal interjections are to point out mistakes, describe how to practice to correct them, and then the student is using their instrument again. The only occasions where I allow longer periods of talking are when teaching a new theoretical concept (time signatures, key signatures, physical techniques, etc.).
On strings, I use the Suzuki method books at the beginning and intermediate levels; on piano, I accept the Alfred or FJH methods if either is easier for the student to obtain.