Each student who enters my studio brings with them a unique artistic spark and a desire to give voice to their musical imagination. My calling is to help that voice grow into a vibrant, confident presence in the world. Grounded in the time‑honored traditions of string pedagogy and enriched by current research on healthy movement and learning, my teaching centers on three guiding commitments:

 

Healthy Movement as the Cornerstone

Drawing on Paul Rolland’s motion-based pedagogy, I guide students toward balanced posture, fluid gestures, and efficient biomechanics. When the body moves freely, tone blossoms, technical freedom follows, and injuries are prevented—habits that support a joyful, sustainable life in music.

 

Holistic Technique in Service of Expression

Scales, études, orchestral excerpts, and coordination exercises are never an end in themselves. Each gesture is tied to musical intention. My students learn not just how to play, but why each technical choice serves the expressive whole.

 

Expressive Playing from the Start

Tone color, nuance, and phrasing are emphasized from the very beginning. Whether shaping a lyrical line or navigating a contemporary score, students learn to communicate musical ideas with emotional depth and intellectual clarity.

 

Inclusive, Diverse, and Individualized Learning

A thriving studio reflects the world around us. We study works by composers from a wide range of cultures, eras, and perspectives; use accessible teaching materials; and incorporate culturally responsive practices. At the same time, I design a personalized course of study for each student—honoring their strengths, addressing challenges, and supporting their unique goals, whether in performance, teaching, arts leadership, or beyond.

 

Collaborative, Reflective Practice

Studio classes, chamber coachings, and community engagement projects create space for shared learning and mutual encouragement. Students are encouraged to record their practice and performances as tools for guided self-reflection and growth.

 

Formation of Artist-Citizens

The habits nurtured in the studio—critical thinking, joyful resilience, and creative responsibility—equip students not only to play at the highest level, but to become artistic leaders and compassionate contributors to their communities.

 

My teaching brings together the wisdom of established pedagogy and the innovation of forward-looking strategies—nurturing musicians who play beautifully, think deeply, and make meaningful contributions to the world around them.