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Instruction is available to intermediate and advanced students. Also, those who are perhaps not currently studying with a teacher, and/or who are looking for coaching or an objective opinion about their programs for a recital or competition are welcome to inquire. Please contact me at socalviolin1985@gmail.com

Teaching Philosophy
My pedagogical approach to teaching the violin involves a somewhat different instructional angle than that taken by most teachers. Eventually, a student will presumably become a professional player and/or reach a high level, and no longer study the instrument formally. So, the job of the teacher is not entirely to be a mechanic and "fix" the problems of the student's playing but rather, to give the student the tools to overcome the problems they encounter. That is - teach them to become their own harshest critic and best self-teacher...skills that will last a lifetime. This is done by objective listening and immediate feedback at regular intervals (i.e., weekly lessons). The great TV director James Burrows, who has directed television for nearly half a century has said, "I don't watch my actors much when I direct. Instead, I listen for the poetry, I listen to the cadence." The many actors who have worked with Burrows have attested to the fact that Burrows is like a conductor of a symphony orchestra. "When something isn't right, he'll have you back up and do it again." And this is all in front of a studio audience - although like musicians, the actors rehearse thoroughly first. While this analogy may sound somewhat corny or pedantic, it's not hard to see why it makes perfect sense. In my own teaching, I take a similar approach, as an educated listener.

Obviously, music is sound, so our job as musicians is knowing how to create it for any given piece, as humble exponents who are fulfilling the objectives of the composer.

When a performer plays in public, they are often faced with a roomful of hundreds or thousands of pairs of eyes all on them, and to go with their harsh eyes, most have even harsher ears - never-minding the fact that most of these people are not even musicians themselves. A musician has no career without an audience, so we have to give them not only music that they want to hear, but in the way they expect to hear it. Taking this a few steps further, our music making will hopefully stir them emotionally and even potentially be a life-changing experience. The highest compliment of all is someone telling you that your music somehow changed their life or altered their course in a positive way.

I draw on my own experience from studying with a number of outstandingly-trained performers who, likewise, have had many outstanding pupils who went on to great success in classical music - not an easy feat, in a field that is often vastly unforgiving!!

It should be added that most of the student learning will not occur in the lessons, it will be done at home while practicing. To this end, the lessons are geared towards instructing the student how to practice successfully and thus, perform successfully. Psychologists and psychiatrists who have studied the way people learn have also attested to the fact that people can even learn things while they sleep!

Private lessons and coaching are offered at a rate of $95.00 per hour for in-person lessons at student's home*. The rate is $80.00 per hour for Zoom lessons. Payment by cash or Paypal is accepted. Personal check or bank check is accepted only at instructor discretion, often after the first few months of lessons. *A small discount is given for 2-hour lessons. Pupil must be within a reasonable driving distance from Encino, California.

The first lesson, which takes the form of a 30 minute consultation, is offered (by Zoom only) at no charge. This gives the teacher an opportunity to find out about the student's objectives and goals, and their skill level as of the present time. If the student-teacher relationship commences, regular lessons will occur once every week for one to two hours depending on the student's needs and personal goals.

For further details, again, feel more than welcome to contact me at socalviolin1985@gmail.com