Starting out

For beginners and younger students, our methods are oriented towards the development of a relaxed and proper playing posture as well as establishing an understanding of basic musical concepts – mostly while smiling and laughing! During this time it is especially important for students to develop positive and constructive attitudes towards practicing, and we ensure through a mixture of standard method books, individualized musical enrichment activities and exercises, and a bit of puppy time with our dog Henry, that students view their lessons and practicing as something to look forward to and care about.

Broadening skills

After students have played on their first few recitals, we introduce the study of scales as well as repertoire that gradually introduces more advanced techniques. Time management while practicing becomes an important skill as students manage their own progress through different books concurrently. At this stage we also encourage participation in school orchestra as well as extra-curricular youth orchestras such as GTCYS or MYS (Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies and Minnesota Youth Symphonies).

We draw upon our considerable knowledge of traditional books and methods to chart students along a proven path as they begin to explore higher positions, shifting, vibrato, and other techniques. The importance of breathing and active relaxation are maintained as we encourage them to think musically, work to establish consistent and compelling phrasing with the bow, and create stylistic differentiation between music of different time periods.

Perhaps most crucially, we make certain that students can understand and explain the principles behind executing each of these techniques and goals, so that they can independently apply them to their orchestral material and develop problem solving abilities while practicing.

Advanced students

Our older students (nearing or attending high school) continue to progress through a curriculum which prepares them for leadership positions within school ensembles, participation in top-level youth orchestras, and the study of advanced pieces from the standard repertoire. A particular joy of lessons with students at this level is the opportunity to work collaboratively with them to fashion a style of playing and musical interpretation that they can deservedly call their own. Years of our own experience taking auditions help us to successfully coach these young musicians as they pursue opportunities such as attending summer festivals, entering scholarship competitions, or pursuing their musical education beyond high school.