Teacher - Conductor - Coach
My aim is to teach musicians to perform with confidence and enjoyment. During my student days I was the beneficiary of excellent school music programs, outstanding teachers and mentors and youth orchestras. I enjoy sharing my experience by nurturing and encouraging young musicians at all levels of accomplishment. I have enjoyed working on the faculties of Third Street Music School, Trinity School and having roles as string teacher, conductor, chamber music coach, and private violin and viola teacher. I have spent time as a teaching artist and mentor at a NYC public school in a new program. Summers at the Meadowmount School of Music have been spent guiding and coaching chamber music groups and have proved to be intensive work in an idyllic setting. I feel fortunate to work with accomplished, dedicated students and colleagues and am excited to serve as conductor of the Carnegie Hill Orchestra of the InterSchool Orchestras of New York. ISO produces performances in Symphony Space, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall, museums and school assemblies to much acclaim. My work with adults, in addition to adult violin and viola students includes current work conducting an adult string ensemble at Third Street Music School, conducting the orchestra at Stevens Institute of Technology and past leadership of the string ensemble at Baruch College, CUNY.
Composer and Performer:
I view orchestral music as an expanded form of chamber music, with particular stress on the dialogue of musical voices. In addition to the social and developmental aspects of ensemble playing, performing in large groups can be fulfilling to musicians through artistic interaction and through being a part of the ensemble's sound and musical textures.
I am energized by composing and arranging music. I have used styles as far-ranging as early music, pop and folk music, extending to twelve-tone compositions, I am pleased to have had music performed by student performers and professional players. Some of my compositions for children have been created for specific groups. I find project-driven works rewarding. My recent composition for solo violin, A Piece of Pi, has been performed in recitals, Pi-day celebrations and mathematical festivals. Published for solo violin and also viola, sheet music is available through Ovation Press (CLICK HERE FOR THE MUSIC).
I have written string parts for the indie band "The Baskervilles," and performed on their CD: "Twilight 14" (iTunes and other distributors). I have also performed in folk and bluegrass music as a fiddle player (and occasional singer) in The New Lost Faculty Ramblers (CD "Lost and Found" available on request).
Background:
I began musical study on piano while in elementary school but my main musical interest was soon sparked by the violin. My early training on violin in was with Mika Hasler and university study was with Fredell Lack with graduate studies with Sally Thomas. My principal conducting teacher was Igor Buketoff. I have played professionally in the Laredo Symphony, Lake Charles Symphony and the Alexandria Symphony along with extensive free-lance work.
My early experience with youth orchestras was in the Houston Youth Symphony, first as a student and later as recipient of a college student fellowship as section coach. I have had the privilege of coaching groups in the Vermont Youth Orchestra, under the leadership of the legendary Troy Peters. I have also worked with the dynamic educator and conductor Jeff Grogan, whom I consider important to me as a mentor and colleague.
My chamber music coaches have included Felix Galimir, Hans Jørgen Jensen, and Paul Doktor, among others, and I have performed in master classes with Josef Gingold and Julius Levine. In 2008, I was awarded a fellowship with trips to Berlin, Vienna and Prague to meet with violin makers (Jan Spidlen, Miroslav Komár, Tomáš Pilař, Pavel Hušek, and Petr Zdražil) and for research on acoustic properties of the violin. I was fortunate to have access to the Staatliches Institut for Musikforschung in Berlin, which houses an excellent musical instrument museum and research facility.
Composer and Performer:
I view orchestral music as an expanded form of chamber music, with particular stress on the dialogue of musical voices. In addition to the social and developmental aspects of ensemble playing, performing in large groups can be fulfilling to musicians through artistic interaction and through being a part of the ensemble's sound and musical textures.
I am energized by composing and arranging music. I have used styles as far-ranging as early music, pop and folk music, extending to twelve-tone compositions, I am pleased to have had music performed by student performers and professional players. Some of my compositions for children have been created for specific groups. I find project-driven works rewarding. My recent composition for solo violin, A Piece of Pi, has been performed in recitals, Pi-day celebrations and mathematical festivals. Published for solo violin and also viola, sheet music is available through Ovation Press (CLICK HERE FOR THE MUSIC).
I have written string parts for the indie band "The Baskervilles," and performed on their CD: "Twilight 14" (iTunes and other distributors). I have also performed in folk and bluegrass music as a fiddle player (and occasional singer) in The New Lost Faculty Ramblers (CD "Lost and Found" available on request).
Background:
I began musical study on piano while in elementary school but my main musical interest was soon sparked by the violin. My early training on violin in was with Mika Hasler and university study was with Fredell Lack with graduate studies with Sally Thomas. My principal conducting teacher was Igor Buketoff. I have played professionally in the Laredo Symphony, Lake Charles Symphony and the Alexandria Symphony along with extensive free-lance work.
My early experience with youth orchestras was in the Houston Youth Symphony, first as a student and later as recipient of a college student fellowship as section coach. I have had the privilege of coaching groups in the Vermont Youth Orchestra, under the leadership of the legendary Troy Peters. I have also worked with the dynamic educator and conductor Jeff Grogan, whom I consider important to me as a mentor and colleague.
My chamber music coaches have included Felix Galimir, Hans Jørgen Jensen, and Paul Doktor, among others, and I have performed in master classes with Josef Gingold and Julius Levine. In 2008, I was awarded a fellowship with trips to Berlin, Vienna and Prague to meet with violin makers (Jan Spidlen, Miroslav Komár, Tomáš Pilař, Pavel Hušek, and Petr Zdražil) and for research on acoustic properties of the violin. I was fortunate to have access to the Staatliches Institut for Musikforschung in Berlin, which houses an excellent musical instrument museum and research facility.
For bookings or requests for violin lessons:
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Conducting: The early years!
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I am told I enjoyed music even as a youngster.
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In my performance suit at around 6 years old.
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