FAQs

I teach Suzuki Viola and Violin with influences from Alexander Technique, Performance Psychology, and traditional viola and violin pedagogy.

I have experience teaching students as young as 3 years old and as old as 70 years. I believe anyone at any age can learn to play viola or violin.

I offer weekly 30-minute and 60-minute lessons. Lesson length is determined based on the individual students’ goals, attention span, and level.

Students will need a metronome/tuner or metronome app, rosin, instrument, bow, and case. As part of the Suzuki Method, students will learn to play their instrument the same way they learn their native language through daily listening. The official Suzuki Reference Recording with Hillary Hahn is available for purchase on Apple Music.

Zelle, Venmo, Cash, or Check are all accepted. Lessons are billed monthly on a recurring basis. If you are unable to attend your scheduled lesson, you may swap lesson times with another student. In cases of illness, students may move their lessons online.

I offer both online and in-person lessons. I teach lessons in my home studio in Gaithersburg, just a 2-minute walk from the Kentlands lakes and shopping. I also offer lessons in Ellicott City.

Just as children learn their native language, Suzuki students learn viola and violin through the mother-tongue approach with daily listening of the Suzuki repertoire. Suzuki families attend lessons with students and serve as the at-home teacher during practice throughout the week. Positive environment and encouragement are integral to the method. The goal of the Suzuki Method is to support young people as life-long learners with kind hearts. To read more about the Suzuki Method, click here to view the Suzuki Association of the America’s Website

Yes, I love helping students with their school orchestra music. I started playing viola in my Maryland public school orchestra in 3rd grade. I did not have viola lessons until the 7th grade. It is very rewarding for me to help fellow Maryland students with their music!

The Free Consultation is a 15-minute Zoom call to discuss the student and parents’ goals for lessons, policies, and rates. The Consultation serves as an orientation to the studio to see if the student and family are a good fit for the studio.

Generally, I find lessons are more enjoyable for the student when they practice throughout the week. Without at-home practice, it can be difficult to progress technically and musically. The most important thing is to practice efficiently and consistenly. The length of the practice session is not as important. Even as little as 5 mintues of daily, focused practice can make a big difference. Personally, if I tell myself I only have to practice for a few minutes, I am more likely to pick up my instrument and get started. Typically, I end up practicing for much longer than anticipated when I use this method. The difficult part is getting started.

Ideally, for beginner students, 15-30 minutes of daily practice is recommended. That being said, I would rather a student have a short goal-driven, focused practice session than 30 minutes of mindless practice. If one practices without much thought, they may just reinforce bad habits.

In lessons, I will work with students and parents to brainstorm ways to practice effectively and by utilizing the Suzuki method and techniques proven by sports psychology.