Frequently Asked Questions

Rates are here

No, Sorry. Violins are sized for specific ages and sizes of players. A rental violin and shoulder rest are required for all beginning students for the first lesson and the student must be fitted for the appropriate size. Under no circumstance should a beginner student purchase a violin before meeting with the teacher. 

Please read the Obtaining a Violin section before scheduling your intro lesson for more information.

An adult is required to attend lessons for students under 10 years old and is welcome to attend after that. Parents are an integral part of their child’s music education. Observing lessons will help you understand how to best help your child practice.

Please note that it is imperative not to interject or give instructions to your child during lessons. It is crucial to the student's success that they only receive instruction from the teacher, and that only the material presented in lessons is practiced at home. You are welcome to take notes and ask questions at the end of the lesson. 

Unfortunately it is unlikely. Please read the Obtaining a Violin section before scheduling lessons or purchasing a violin.

I prioritize children over 8 years old for lessons. However, I am willing to consider a younger student, pending availability and an introductory lesson. This lesson will help  us to determine if violin is appropriate for the child at this time, and for the parent to get a sense of how they will need to support their student during the lesson. It should be taken into consideration that children are not developmentally able to practice on their own until they are at least 10 years old. Until they reach this age, constant parental involvement (both at lessons, and in home practice) will be necessary for the child's success.

If the student is not yet ready for private lessons, there are a variety of resources designed for younger children, both for violin and music in general.

Before starting instrumental lessons of any kind, I would strongly recommend a general music class, like "Music Together." Classes are a great way for children to garner a musical foundation, and for them to practice the listening and concentration skills required for instrumental study. If the child is specifically interested in violin, "Suzuki" violin teachers start children as young as 3 years old. A violin shop can provide a referral.

The first lesson is a chance for us to determine if I am the right teacher for you or your child. If either of us feel this is not the case, I am happy to make a referral to a more appropriate activity or another teacher. The intro lesson is $40 (30 minutes).
I do not offer complimentary “meet and greets”. I feel that the best way to determine if my lessons are right for you or your child is to take a lesson. As such, the student must rent a violin prior to the first lesson to be able to get an accurate feel for lessons. Please see the “Obtaining a Violin” section to select the appropriate sized instrument for the student.

All tuition rates are a flat monthly amount. You pay the same amount each month, September-June (kids) or year-round (adults),  regardless of the amount of lessons there are in a given month.

These rates are calculated based on a pro-rated formula. For youth students, I count the total amount of lesson days we have in the school year. I do not include school holidays or vacations in this number, as we do not have lessons on those days, so I do not charge for them. I also add a few extra lessons to the total that you may use during the summertime.

(Example:  If the school year starts on September 13, there are 39 lessons total in a year, including 4 summer lessons. Lessons are $45 each. I multiply the rate times 39 and divide by 10 months (September-June) so that the rate is the same each month. In July and August, you may use your prepaid summer lessons on a schedule of your choice.

Adult tuition rates are calculated using the same formula as above, but are based on a 12-month schedule (41 lessons total per year, divided into 12 equal monthly payments; no lessons on holidays or school vacations/no charge on these dates).

Adult students who wish to attend on a more flexible schedule during the summer may do so. 

Yes, there is an annual Spring Recital for students of all ages. Friends and family are welcome!

Regarding the physical instrument, there is no difference. "Fiddle" can be used as a nickname for violin, or to denote a particular style of music played on the violin (Irish Fiddle, Bluegrass Fiddle) as opposed to classical music. I consider myself a "fiddle" teacher because I teach a variety of fiddle genres.

When a student is first learning to play, the approach of a classical violin teacher and a fiddle teacher may be very similar; the foundation and techniques required to play the violin are essential before specializing in a particular style (posture, technique, ear- training, rhythms ).

I primarily use the Mark O'Connor Method during the first two years. This curriculum is analogous to the Suzuki Method used by classical teachers, which also uses folk music to introduce the fundamentals. After the student has developed a solid foundation, the approaches of a fiddle teacher and a classical teacher are different. Fiddle teachers teach the different styles and techniques of folk genres. In contrast to classical music, which is primarily learned by reading music, we often learn pieces by ear and from recordings or videos.

I also strongly believe that learning to read music is an important skill for all musicians, and I consistently work with my students on reading in the foundational years.

*For beginning students enrolled in school orchestra programs, our lessons will focus on learning the pieces assigned by the student's orchestra teacher and improving sight-reading and music theory skills.

It's not too late to learn to play! While violin is a technically- difficult instrument, there are many people who learn to play as an adult, and it is not necessary to have a musical background. While it is true that children are "sponges", there are many advantages to being an adult learner, and many musical skills that adults learn quicker than children.

I do not teach multiple children or children and adults together in a combined lesson format. Adults and children of different ages (especially young ones) learn at dramatically different speeds and require different areas of focus according to their developmental phase that are best served in separate instructional periods. However, parents who observe their child’s lessons often find they are able to pick up enough information to begin playing themselves.

Lessons are offered in-person or online via Zoom Conferencing. All in-person lessons are at my studio in Northwest Olympia near the West Olympia Food Coop.

 General hours for lessons are Mondays- Wednesdays with start times from 10am to 7pm. Saturdays are offered twice monthly for adult students depending on interest level. 

Sadly, no. I don’t know how to play the viola. Viola and violin are related, but it is best to receive instruction directly from a viola instructor. Many violists play violin as well, if you would like to study both instruments. Please contact RL Violin Shop for a Viola teacher referral.

Of course! For students who would like additional support with their orchestra music,  I prioritize their assigned orchestra music in our lessons and provide relevant supportive curriculum.