Classes & Lessons

All lessons are available in-person and also via online means through FaceTime, Skype or Zoom.

 

Violin & Viola Lessons

My primary training has been a mixture of Russian School and Hungarian School techniques. I believe that each person is unique and that a “one size fits all” approach does not effectively work when teaching music. When I meet with each individual student, I assess their technical level and create an individualized curriculum for them. The curriculum will consist of:

 

• Scales
• Technical Exercises
• Student Selected Pieces
• Applicable Musicianship Exercises

As part of the ear training, the students will learn how to notate and play their favorite songs as a means to provide a tangible connection between the written theory, ear training, and instrumental performance. They will also learn how to write their own duets for pieces that they know well.

 

Music Theory (AP and General)

Music theory is the foundation upon which music is built. It gives an understanding of the innate structure of music. The students will learn:

 

• Solfege
• Scales
• Chordal Structures
• Circle of Fifth’s
• Forms
• Basic Composition

Because of the nature of the material and student’s goals, I will tailor the curriculum to the level, interest, and needs of each individual student.

 

Musicianship/Aural Skills (Ear Training)

Musicianship is the aural (listening) component of music theory. For most student’s, it is sorely neglected in their musical studies until they begin learning it at the university level. I use the solfege system (with movable “do”) (do re mi fa sol la ti do) in order to teach sight singing. Solfege is a wonderful tool, which allows the student to understand the relationships between any two notes. The students will learn how to:

 

• Sight Sing (accurately sing a melody upon first sight)
• Hear chord progressions
• Accurately Hear and Notate Melodies
• Improvise
• Compose

 

Music History

I offer tutoring/small classes for students interested in an overview of Western music history. History helps to give insights into the factors that have led to music to evolve since antiquity. I use a modified version of the Norton curriculum for this particular course. This would also be an excellent class for any university student looking to reinforce their musicology knowledge.

 

 

Kodály Musicianship Classes (Ages 4-12 approx.)

This is the perfect introduction class for younger children as it uses a combination of folk songs, games, and pedagogical manipulatives (written exercises) in order to introduce the basic concepts of music theory. The students learn how to:

 

• Sing with Proper technique
• Sight Sing using Solfege
• Understand Rhythmic Structures
• Understand Basic Musical Terminology (e.g. tempi and dynamics)
• Perform in a Supportive Environment

All of the concepts presented and practiced in these classes are applicable in any musical context, whether that be singing for fun at home or performing with the London Philharmonic.

 

Chamber Music Coaching

I fell in love with chamber music as a teenager and I have been an avid performer ever since. The collaboration of two or more people is one of the most rewarding experiences a musician can have. I offer coaching to students who are interested in creating music together. As a group, we will select appropriately challenging pieces and rehearse on a regular basis.

 

 

For current rates and available lesson slots, please email

theresa@studiosauvage.net

or call

415- 735-1624