Thanks to those who came to see “Come From Away” at Northern Stage, and welcome to my teaching site! And thank you, Jim Lowe, for the flattering review! “Notable is the so-called fiddler, Jane Bearden, one of the finest violinists in the state.” – Jim Lowe, Rutland Herald
I teach violin, viola and fiddle, and work with John Acosta on cello, for those in search of another local high-level cello instructor.
How this studio differs from other music schools and violin programs…
I approach learning, even for beginners, from two directions at once. I discuss proper structure and help students follow the complex set of directions to find the best technique. But at the same time, I make sure they are connecting with the most natural way of using their body and focusing on the sound they want to create. It is important to keep them moving forward and maintain an enthusiasm for learning, while allowing the technique to fall into place as they go. Learning violin is a long process, and I remain firmly fixed on the goal of creating natural players who are in touch with their creativity and are able to express their own “voice” with ease, through playing violin.
This will provide them with a life-long creative outlet, a way of connecting with others, and a unique voice that others find compelling, whether they pursue a professional career in music or not.
Why learn violin?
It is a complex accomplishment and proves a person’s patience and commitment. Weekly Violin lessons and daily practice gives learners and their parents an opportunity to work through challenges together. It is also fun of course!
My mission is to try to make learning simpler and more natural, while encouraging students to embrace the challenge. The look on my kids faces, after they achieve a level of mastery and conquered something difficult, is priceless.
General skills you learn through studying violin:
- Develop good daily practice habits.
- Practice solving problems and working through frustration.
- Get familiar with your current weaknesses and learn to prepare in order to overcome them.
- Work with others as both leader and follower.
- A unique intersection of rigorous physical training and creative flow state. Learn to gain control over different expressive techniques, and then let go of that control in order to focus on the meaning of the music.
And some more specific music skills you will learn:
- Reading music
- Improvising
- Playing by ear
- Suzuki repertoire, since it’s so universal (for beginner and intermediate)
- For early beginners, I like to use common folk songs and nursery rhymes and encourage kids to sing them as well as play them, (maybe even at the same time!)