Discover the joy of learning an instrument!

To get on the waitlist, tell me a little about yourself and what you’re looking for. I’ll send you more details and you can ask me any questions that you have or let me know about your experience!

All private lessons are taught from out of my home which is in the North End of Halifax - you can click on the map for my address and directions

 

Private Lessons September 2024 - June 2025:

My studio is full at this time, but to get on the waitlist for an afternoon/evening spot you can fill out the inquiry form!

Private violin lessons are taught online and/or in person! Students enrolled in private lessons have a weekly 30, 45, or 60 minute lesson depending on your age and experience level. We get to know each other week to week to work through new challenges, develop your technique, and dive a little deeper into what draws you in to make music. We do a lot of laughing along the way!

What’s included in your tuition:

  • 36 lessons

  • 5 bi-monthly 45 minute group classes for students

  • 2 (or more!) recitals

  • Community outreach - bring music to those in their later years

  • Monthly studio projects to keep parents and students connected!

Private lessons are for every age and I teach children as well as adults!

Most of my beginners are taught using the Suzuki Method, which is training that I specialize in. Students learn by ear until their arms, ears, and sense of rhythm are coordinated and parents learn with their child by attending lessons and helping as a practice partner at home. The three of us work together to foster an environment of creativity and dedication in lessons which, with a parent or guardian’s help, continues into your daily practice.

For students, practice is a time to grow, learn, try your best, and have fun!

For parents and guardians, practice is a moment to connect with your child - you’ll help them take on new challenges, refine their skills, support their goals, and you’ll even get a little silly. To see through the eyes of your child, to put yourself in their shoes as you both learn something new, is a gift!

Summer Lessons: Accepting new students for summer lessons only!

New and returning students can sign up for a lesson package of 4, 6, or 8 lessons in July and August and you choose the dates that work for you!

Learning through the summer is a drag can help you learn so much! Playing an instrument year round is the best way to guarantee that you’re always moving forward and ready to take on new challenges. When students learn during the summer, we work on reviewing familiar favorites and diving deeply into the kind of music that you’re interested in!

My summers have been full of requests to learn video game music, Taylor Swift,
and the Beatles lately and I’ve had a lot of fun working with students on
composing!

FAQs

  • You don’t need to buy a violin and I recommend renting your instrument when you’re staring out. Long and McQuade has a great collection of instruments to choose from with a rent-to-buy program. Renting is an especially good idea for children and as they grow and get larger size violins, it’s easy to swap them out with the shop that you’re renting from!

  • I teach my beginners using the Suzuki Method which is where we approach music like learning a language. We learn by ear, listen throughout the week to the pieces that are coming up next, learn from other students in group classes, and parents sit in on lessons so that they can be a practice partner at home. As their ears become more discerning and the way they move their arms becomes second nature, we introduce reading music!

    Adult students or beginners that are in their teens will take a more traditional route where we learn how to read music right from the beginning. We’ll work through pieces that you’re interested in plus lots of added material to help you develop your skills.

  • The youngest students that I take on are 4 years old and it depends on their personality. While there are many benefits to starting a string instrument when they’re young, it’s more important to me that the student is expressing interest in the violin and has a willingness to learn.

    I teach around 40 students and most students are 5 - 16, but I also have some adult students! Some are students coming back to violin after taking a break throughout college and I have some retired folks who always wanted to play, but never had the time.

    It’s never too late to start!

  • I teach the majority of my students in person, but some students live out of town or in another province. We have our weekly lessons over Zoom!

    I offer online lessons for my students that live in town as well! Sometimes a student is too sick to come in person or there’s a scheduling conflict here and there - using an online lesson where we need it helps us learn consistently during the year!