Violin and viola lessons in your home in Berlin or online anywhere in the world.
Use the contact page to schedule a free 30 minute trial lesson or to request rates
Experience
Holly is a dedicated teacher who has been teaching for over 10 years. She has experience working with children as young as age 3 through to the collegiate level and beyond. She has held faculty positions at the Frankfurt Music Community, the Rochester Academy of Music and Art, the el Sistema-inspired program ROCMusic, the Music Store, Inc., as well as teaching in her private studio. In addition to practical teaching, Holly enjoys sharing music with children and non-musicians by leading outreach presentations at schools and community centers. As an outreach presenter, she has appeared as part of Eastman “To Go”, Music for All, Music for Everyone, the Hershey Symphony Festival Strings, and Ensemble Modern, among others. Holly has a Bachelor and Master of Music from the Eastman School of Music and is writing her thesis to complete a Master of Contemporary Music from the Frankfurt Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst.
Teaching Method by Level
As a teacher, I strive to create individualized approaches for each student so they maximize their learning while developing their imaginations and musical ideas. All of my students learn to read music from the very beginning and are encouraged to experiment and discover what makes music fun.
For the youngest students, the focus is on learning games, how to hold the violin and bow properly, as well as ear training and singing. My students start learning to play real songs almost immediately so they don’t get bored by only playing exercises that don’t sound nice. The idea is to learn the basics in a fun and memorable way. Parents are encouraged to learn as well to help the students practice and review at home.
For intermediate level students, the focus turns to reading fluency, intonation, rhythm, technique, ensemble parts (when applicable), and solo repertoire. I also encourage my students to participate in recitals and school ensembles. To maximize progress, I make sure to help my students develop skills to practice on their own between lessons.
For my most advanced students, the focus is on preparing for auditions and university entrance exams by learning advanced repertoire, phrasing and musicality, scales and etudes, extended techniques, and more. We also discuss audition and performance strategies to maximize success and manage anxiety.
For adult beginners, lessons are customized to their level and past knowledge of music. Many adults feel like it is too late to start playing an instrument, but that is not the case. Often adults progress faster than children and I help each student find a way to feel comfortable and excited while learning this new skill at their individual pace.
In addition to teaching violin and viola skills, I encourage all of my students to listen to music and to learn about different styles of playing and composers to foster an enjoyment and love of music. I also make sure that my students learn music theory and ear training in order to develop a well rounded musical education.