General Information

It is a pleasure to be working with your child.  I have been teaching in  the State College Area School District for over 30 years.  I retired in June 2023 and I am subbing for the first few weeks.  I also taught in Bellefonte for 5 years and Illinois and New York(my home state).  My husband and I have four children and we live on a beautiful farm with horses, sheep, chickens and pigs.  

I started playing a string instrument when I was in fourth grade in a public school in Western New York!

String Instruments Strategies:

Learning a string instrument is a difficult 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.

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.

Proper care of the instrument is important.  String instruments are fragile and care should be taken when handling an instrument. The bridge is not glued on the instrument.  When placing a shoulder pad on the violin or viola be careful to place the instrument between your legs so that the bridge rest between your legs.  Never place any instrument with the bridge side down on the floor or a hard surface. Students will  be shown how to handle the instrument so as not to harm it.  I suggest that no one else handle the instrument unless they have your permission and your child's instructions.

If a string breaks on your child's instrument please take the instrument to the music store and have the store replace the string.  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.