Christina’s nearly 20 years of diverse teaching experience, from private violin/viola teaching to teaching American History in public high school to stepping in for short stints as a masters rowing coach, have deeply informed her teaching philosophy. At the heart of it is the recognition that in order to learn, we need structure. However, structures are not one-size fits all.
She currently works as a performing violist and sees her teaching and performing life as inextricably linked. A lifelong student of her craft, she sees herself and her students as approaching similar problems every day. What is the best way to make beautiful sound? I have a musical idea; how do I execute it? How many times do I need to practice this to nail it in the performance?
Christina believes that learning violin is a tool to teach some of life’s most important lessons.
worthwhile goals take time and hard work
self-expression is achievable; it is not just for the ‘talented’
learning the ‘why’ of the rules helps you apply them in meaningful ways
your body and personhood is a thing of great dignity and power; performing is a way of learning to use it effectively
Deliverables
Depending on the age of the student, the content of the lessons will vary. For a more mature student, a one hour lesson may cover Alexander Technique, a short dive into global events at the time of the composition, and hard work with a tuner or metronome. For a younger musician, there may be exercises connecting musical notation to motion, games teaching pitch and rhythm, or guided practice teaching learning techniques to bring home. What you will always receive are clear goals for your next lesson, a roadmap for accomplishing them, and open lines of communication to unblock you during your week of work.
Example Structure of a 60 minute Lesson
1:00 - 1:05 Update on the week, open and prepare your violin, tune
1:05 - 1:10 Scales and technique refreshers
1:10 - 1:25 Etudes and slow work
1:25 - 1:45 Concerto, solo piece, music for the week
1:45 - 1:55 Extra music ~ orchestra, band, personal projects
1:55 - 2:00 Setting goals for next week, updating notebook
