I like to think about a teacher as being both a teacher of an instrument as well as a life mentor. Lessons should be a safe space for people of all ages to open up some about what's going on in their lives. Art is so personal that I feel it's negligent to not know what else is going on. My background as an educator is mostly based on my own personal experiences with my own professors and my life experience. My background is in Suzuki, but I always take other methods and implement them into my teaching. Student development often comes from the use of studies and technical exercises, on top of pieces, both student and teacher chosen.

I have had a series of playing related injuries, including most recently, a herniated disc in my neck in December of 2022. This was hugely transformative for me, both in my playing but also in my teaching. Now, why would you want to study with someone who’s had so many playing related injuries? Well, to me the answer is simple: I now know what not to do. Violin playing is done in truly an unnatural body position, even when done correctly. My playing now is virtually tension free, and *knock on wood*, I don’t see anymore injuries in my near future for the first time in a long time. In my teaching, I spend a lot of time on setting the student up for success, both physically and mentally. This is incredibly important to me. I like to set goals with students, both short and long term in order to have things to look forward to. I also like using Alexander Technique and my physical therapy experience and implementing them into lessons in order to stay relaxed. I also believe teaching every individual student is different: not one concept works for everyone in life, why would it in violin? I cater lessons to whoever is in the room. 

If you ever have any questions, I allow myself to be open during the week to emails, texts and calls.