My teaching philosophy is based on three core principles:

A “Suzuki-plus” approach. The Suzuki method is the main influence in my teaching (I was a Suzuki kid, myself!), and forms the basis of my violin curriculum. I am a registered Suzuki-trained teacher and have studied Suzuki pedagogy with Edward Kreitman, Charles Krigbaum, Daina Staggs, and James Hutchins through the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

Some of the core philosophies of the Suzuki Method that I use in my studio are:

• The belief that every child can learn

• A “mother-tongue” approach: Music is first learned by ear, as a child would learn their native language, through imitation, repetition, and positive reinforcement.

I also enjoy introducing other genres into my curriculum, whether it’s making pop arrangements of the newest Billie Eilish song, or a fun jazz or fiddle tune. 

Focus on fundamentals. I work hard to emphasize healthy playing technique. I am very focused on developing a relaxed and balanced position from the start, allowing for a much more enjoyable learning process with fewer corrections and frustrations along the way. 

Parent involvement and communication. Just like learning a language, parents are a crucial element to learning an instrument! The parent attends lessons and learns how to help their child practice at home during the week.