Teaching Method
A few words about my approach:
No two students are alike. We have different anatomies, different nervous systems, different temperaments, different learning styles, different needs and different goals. I start all beginners with the same set of movements to establish posture and positions, but once we get into learning music and violin technique, my approach is as varied as the personalities I encounter in my teaching practice.
For beginners, I work with songs and classical pieces from the first two Suzuki books, but I do not strictly adhere to the Suzuki Method. In addition to direct study on the violin, I use movement and vocal exercises to teach concepts of rhythm and pitch. Music theory and notation are typically part of my program, but the order in which I introduce these elements varies from student to student.
My first job as a teacher is to observe and listen to a student, gain some sense of his or her needs and learning style, and then offer instructions that evoke the clearest and most positive responses. My approach to violin technique reflects an amalgamation of my 45 years of study, performance and teaching experience. I have never found one template or pace that serves the needs of every student.
What matters to me:
Music is a language, an art form, and a form of personal expression. It’s a channel for feelings and a medium through which people connect to each other. I am a serious player, and a serious teacher. As with any language, it’s necessary to develop some vocabulary and grammar in order to make meaningful expressions. But there must be some aspect of joy and humor in the learning experience, or it goes nowhere and ultimately serves no purpose. If a student doesn’t smile and laugh at least once during one of my lessons, I haven’t done my whole job that day. I strive to end self-consciousness and find the balance between challenge, fun and authentic expression.
Developing musical proficiency is important. Developing a joyful, flexible, compassionate and problem-solving approach to life is essential, and music is one of the great forms of life-long practice.
