Violin Lessons
Starting Lessons
Welcome to my studio! Whether you are a parent or student, I look forward to connecting with you and helping you in your violin journey.
Playing violin is one of the most interesting and challenging experiences you will ever have. You will get to spend time listening to new pieces, exploring the set up of the instrument and how to hold it comfortably, and learning how to create beautiful tone.
One of the most important elements of learning is to build meaningful relationships. It’s important to have a teacher you trust and enjoy working with, and it’s also important to involve your family and friends to encourage and promote enjoyment of learning. If you are a parent, you will be spending extra time with your child and learning about how they process material and what motivates them. If you are a student, you will learn how to push through obstacles and build many different areas of skill. With curiosity, patience, hard work, and a sense of humor, you will experience improvement and enjoy playing for yourself and others.
My Teaching Method
My primary teaching method is the Suzuki Method of Talent Education, developed by the violin teacher and educational philosopher Shinichi Suzuki. He believed that every child can become a proficient musician in the same way that they learn to speak their native language, in a positive family environment that nurtures their talent. For Dr. Suzuki, talent is not a fixed quantity, but something that is developed through modeling, repetition and lots of positive loving encouragement.
His belief that every child can learn to play violin sparked a movement worldwide to make music lessons accessible to many children and create a family environment of developing musical ability.
The Suzuki Violin School books reflect a careful progression of musical and technical skills for which I have received extensive training and find to be very effective. I also use other books to supplement the individual student’s needs.
What to Expect
Before starting lessons, I will set up a meeting to get to know you, talk about lessons and practicing expectations, check on your instrument and books, and give you a mini-lesson on the violin to see how we will work together.
Most lessons are 30 minutes weekly (45 or 60 minutes for intermediate to advanced students), during which we will work on scales, technique, new pieces and review pieces. I also teach music reading and theory to go with the age and level of the student.
Daily practice sessions should be about the same length as the weekly lesson, with the goal of 6-7 days per week. This is easier for some students than others, but we will work on building positive habits and being flexible while getting used to the routine. We will make notes during the lesson for the student to have clear instructions on practicing.
I offer several fun practice incentives throughout the year to help accumulate more practice days and hours, as well as working toward combined studio rewards.
Studio Policies
2020 Thompson Violin Studio Policies
Download a copy of my studio policies for more information about scheduling, payments, required books, and where to find instruments.
