Practicing

Many times parents are unsure whether to encourage their children to practice their instruments on a daily basis. It can feel like a struggle to add in a practice session after a full day of school followed by after school activities and homework. In reality many feel they need to “pick their battles” with children in order to keep some semblance of order, meaning that one or more daily responsibilities may be put to the side so that a child will complete the other tasks at hand. This remains a pervasive manner of thought throughout our society. If a child doesn’t want to practice it might seem just fine to decide to choose this as an activity to eliminate so that homework or some other chore is done in it’s place. In response to this situation my father poses the question “if your child says they no longer want to eat or no longer wants to go to school do you allow them”? I do not believe in “picking battles” as this should not be looked at as a war, but as a guide to life both for the child now and for their development to adulthood. They must complete their daily goals and should not be allowed to stray from responsibility. It will play a monumental role in their lifespan development.

Playing the violin daily

For any violin or viola student it is far more important to practice or play the violin everyday for a short period of time rather than once or twice a week for a much longer period of time.

Learning to play the violin improves childrens intelligence.

I am presently accepting new students for violin as well as viola.  My lessons can include a wide variety of musical styles including classical, folk, fiddle, pop etc.