ABOUT THE THE TEACHER

🎵🎻🎵

🎶 ABOUT ME 🎶

🎻

Hello! My name is Lisa Strayer, and this is my 24th year of teaching elementary strings. It is a pleasure to be working with your child! I am really excited to be teaching in the State College Area School District this year. I began my musical journey in Altoona, PA, where I began playing the violin at a young age. Throughout my career, I have taught both elementary and junior high orchestra/advanced chamber strings, 8th and 9th grade full orchestra, summer orchestra camps, orchestra clubs, K-6 Vocal Music, and private violin/viola lessons. I previously taught strings for 19 years in the Altoona Area School District in Altoona, PA. Before teaching in the Altoona and State College Area School District, I instructed 3rd-8th grade strings for three years in Hamilton, NJ.

Outside of school, I work as a piano accompanist/violinist on the weekends for St. Michael's in Hollidaysburg, PA and St. Rose of Lima in Altoona, PA. I enjoy going to the beach, watching movies, taking walks, reading, spending time with my family, and playing with my amazing goldendoodle Teddy! My favorite quote that I like to tell my string students is, "Practice only on days you eat!"

🎶 WHY I TEACH MUSIC 🎶

Music has always been a huge part of my life. Some of my fondest childhood memories involve playing in the school orchestra or singing in the chorus. When I became a music teacher, I knew I wanted to share my love for music with the students and help them to acquire the many benefits that music has to offer. I believe that playing an instrument can help students learn discipline, respect, confidence, teamwork, social skills, coordination, problem solving skills, listening skills, fine motor skills, and perseverance. I feel lucky that I can share my passion for teaching music and help the music students obtain so many of the life skills that they will need in the workforce as adults.

🎹🎻

Some teaching pictures below. Scroll to see more!

Elementary Orchestra Concert.mp4

Elementary orchestra students perform Samba La Bamba by William Owens (click video)

STRING INSTRUMENT STRATEGIES

Learning any instrument can be a challenging task! During the first several weeks of class, the primary emphasis will be on developing good playing position as well as correct posture. Your child will be learning new pieces at a faster rate as soon as we can accomplish correct posture and set-up.
Practice is needed on a consistent basis. It is needed to develop the coordination and strength necessary to play a string instrument. Your encouragement is a very important ingredient for your child's success. Even on those busy days, even a little bit helps!
Proper care of the instrument is important. Please see the instrument care section for lots of tips!
If a string breaks on your child's instrument, please take the instrument to the music store and have the store replace the string. It is a very easy fix if a string happens to break. I would be happy to change a string, however, if it means your child will not be able to practice for a number of days. Going to the music store will be quicker.