Lesson Feesfrom $35.00 / 30 Minutes
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About
I'm a Suzuki-trained violinist and singer, a graduate of the University of Houston, and have studied music for the majority of my life! I'm based in Houston and have performed in opera and with various musical theater companies in the Houston area. Even though I've focused on classical music for most of my career, I love branching out into different styles, particularly Celtic, Texan, Jewish, Romani, and even a bit of Zydeco. When it comes to other creative pursuits, I am familiar with the Meisner and Adler schools of acting and have training in analyzing and performing Shakespearean monologues.
I've performed in several orchestras at the college level and competed in a variety of fiddle contests throughout the state of Texas, most recently the Fiddler's Frolics in Hallettsville, Texas. I have been a volunteer after-school violin instructor in the Houston Independent School District (Roosevelt Elementary, Gallegos Elementary, and Martinez Elementary) and local Jewish community centers. I'm also very active in the Houston opera and theater communities and have performed in nearly a dozen productions in the area, often in small accompanying orchestras and as a soprano and/or actress.
My teaching style is very patient and encouraging and I can tailor my lesson plans to suit each individual student. Although building technique and comfort are extremely important, I find that the most essential aspect of learning an instrument is to study the music that you love.
Training:
B.A. University of Houston, 2018
Violin:
Suzuki Method, 1992--2012, Erika Lawson Studio, Houston, TX
Violin, University of Houston, 2012-2016
Violin, Mimi Dye Studio, 2019--Present
Voice:
Classical Voice and Musical Theater, Erin Lorraine Studio, Houston, TX, 2013--2017
Classical Voice and Musical Theater, Laura Coale Studio, Houston, TX, 2018--Present
Theater:
University of Houston, 2013-2015
Meisner Method of Acting, Kim Tobin Acting Studio, 2015-2016
Shakespearean Monologue/Scene Study, Kim Tobin Acting Studio, 2017
Violin, Vocal, and Theater Performance Resume:
Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway, Second Place Vocal Finalist, Jones Hall, Houston, 2014
Sweeney Todd, Beggar Woman/Lucy Barker, Inspiration Stage, Houston, 2014
Jekyll and Hyde, Emma Carew, Inspiration Stage, Houston, 2014
Fiddler on the Roof, Fiddler (live performance), Inspiration Stage, Houston, 2014
Rossini's Il Turco in Italia, Soprano/Violinist, Frenetic Theater, Houston, 2015
Amadeus, Katerina Cavalieri (Soprano, live performance), Stageworks Theater, Houston, 2016
Oliver!, Chorus, Stageworks Theater, Houston, 2016
The Gondoliers, Waitress/Violinist, The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston, Houston, 2017
A Christmas Carol, Belle/Soprano, Revels Houston, Houston, 2018
A Victorian Panto, Margie Dunn/Soprano/Violinist, Revels Houston, Houston, 2019
I was taught with the Suzuki method when it comes to the basics of technique, but I'm happy to adapt to your particular interests. My first priority would be to find out your level of comfort with the basics of the violin and music reading. If you're new to music, I'd focus extensively on ear training, music reading, and learning to play the violin comfortably without physical strain. Scales and exercises are necessary but can get old very quickly, and I find it very important to strike a balance between developing technical skill and learning to play the music you enjoy. For recommended texts, I like to start with Suzuki Book 1 and the Mark O'Connor Violin Method Book 1.