FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My rates are $35 for 30 min, $45 for 45 min and $50 for 1 hour. Add $5 for an extra student.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The first thing I always want to know is what the student's ideal learning process is. Most people can't express this very well but they can tell me about a violinist/fiddler they heard that made them want to play, or if they've been playing for a while they can tell me what they're struggling with the most and what they're yearning to be able to do with their instrument. If the student is brand new, I'll jump right into how to hold the instrument and a little bit of bowing. If they're not totally new, I'll have them show me what they know. Usually while they're doing that I'll see/hear something that needs attention and I'll know where to begin. From there my goal is to keep them excited and challenged, gaining confidence as they gain technique and sensitivity.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been playing violin for 25 years and teaching for about 5 years. I was classically trained through high school but when I discovered my Irish roots around age 9, fiddle became my passion. Now I play all kinds folk music from Swedish to Brazilian to Old-Time and I dabble in swing and blues and other improvisational genres. I was lucky enough to study with Anna Schaad for 8 years until I moved to Virginia for school. There, I began my fiddle teaching career and was a three time consecutive winner of the State Fiddle competition. Most recently, I self-released an EP of original songs I composed while traveling by bicycle and busking my way through Europe. I currently play in 2 local bands: The Wandering Seas and Marie.