Love for music/people has led me through my master's and 10+ years teaching violin. My expertise is in working with beginners and intermediate violin players. Let's learn violin together!

Learn more about Austin

• 1) When did you first develop a passion for music and your favorite instrument?

  My parents had a great way of encouraging music in our family. As a child, I grew up listening to my brothers playing instruments, and when I was old enough, my parents asked me which instrument I wanted to learn. It was an expectation that I would learn an instrument (like my brothers), but I never felt like it was an obligation. I was happy to have the choice of which instrument to learn. I ended up choosing the violin, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! After I started, it’s pretty much always been a passion of mine, and now after 22 years of playing, I still love it, and I love teaching it :)

• 2) Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  I tend to go through periods of listening to the same music over and over. Right now, I’ve been listening to Jupiter from Gustav Holst’s “The Planets.” I find it really fascinating!

• 3) Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  I think the most complex course I could give a student has to do with violin, but extends far beyond the violin. It is discipline and self mastery. I believe this is something we will be learning and perfecting for life (and I myself am definitely still learning this). In the context of violin, this discipline and self mastery will help us be consistent in our practice, and it will help us keep pushing for our goals especially when we don’t feel like it. This is what will help us actually master the violin with all of its complexities (although this too is a path of learning which never actually ends).

• 4) What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  I think that every instrument has its own things that make it difficult, but I would say that the human voice is the most complicated instrument to truly master. I believe this is due to the fact that all the adjustments that need to be made are internal and not visible with the eye. A great deal of internalization and control are needed to master this amazing instrument we have been given.

• 5) What are your keys to success?

  My keys to success are:
  
  The right attitude towards music. If you want to be a good violinist, you kind of have to learn to be a perfectionist. Not attaining your ideal can be very hard at times. So, if you keep the reason behind playing music in mind, this can help when you face frustration.
  
  My personal reasons for playing are to glorify the One who made music (God), to play for the benefit of others, and to play for my personal enjoyment. The amazing thing is that even if I make mistakes when I perform, these things can still be accomplished (if I give it my best). So, these are my keys to success for playing the violin, enjoying it, and sharing the joy of music with others.

• 6) Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  First of all, something personal about me is that I don’t go to bars 😅 That aside, three musicians I would love to meet are:
  
  Gil Shaham - For many years I have admired Gil Shaham not only for his amazing musicianship, but even more so for his humility and what I see as his genuine care for others.
  
  Rafael Payare - As I have delved into the world of orchestral conducting in my recent studies, I have looked for great conductors to emulate. I greatly admire Rafael Payare for how he combines exceptional work ethic and artistry with a great dedication to his family. Seeing that dedication to his family makes me admire him so much more.
  
  Augustine Hadelich - For many years now, I have admired Augustine Hadelich and his absolutely amazing performances. I would love to meet him and hear his story first hand of overcoming great difficulties and recovery in order to be where he is today.

• 7) Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  When I was studying in undergrad, I had the privilege of being accepted into a student program with a professional orchestra (New England Symphonic Ensemble) that regularly performed at Carnegie Hall in New York.
  
  For these concerts, we would usually have one rehearsal the day before the concert, and then we would have a dress rehearsal, break, and then the concert the day of. On one occasion when we finished the dress rehearsal, I went outside of Carnegie to the main street to find something to eat, and I came across a little girl playing the violin outside. I stopped to listen and talk to her parents, and after a little bit, I pulled out my violin and accompanied the little girl as she was playing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". The little girl really enjoyed it, and her parents did too. This was a really great experience for me, since I got to share a little bit of my own musical experience with a little girl who was just starting. I don’t think I will ever forget this experience.

• 8) What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  The little touches that I try to give each of my students are my time (not only in the classroom), my attention to details (to help them), and my patience/encouragement in working with them. I don’t see my students as my students only when they are taking lessons with me. I try to build genuine teacher/student relationships with them that extend past the classroom. I am willing to help however I can as a teacher and resource for years to come.