Cost of Lessons
Who Can Take Lessons?
Lena currently teaches violin and viola at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. She also teaches beginning and intermediate piano students. She will accept students as young as 5 years old, though younger children may be considered.
Location
Please contact Lena to discuss an appropriate location. Currently, lessons can take place at a local church in Baltimore or at the student's home.
Teaching Philosophy
The core of Lena's teaching philosophy is to guide her students in developing the foundations to play naturally and effectively from the first lesson. If the foundations are laid early, in a systematic approach that builds technique and musical understanding step by step, the student can enjoy music whether he or she wishes to make playing music their professional career or an integral part of their personal life. We will use an adaptable system using a variety of methods, tailored to each student's needs and goals.
Lesson Schedules
Lessons will take place at a regularly scheduled time, once per week. Students who must miss their regular lesson may be able to schedule a make-up lesson if Lena's schedule allows. Summer and holiday schedules are more flexible to allow for traveling and camps.
Length of Lessons
The length of the lesson can range from 30 minutes to 60 minutes, and should depend on the age and level of the student. Recommended lesson lengths:
30 minutes: for beginning piano students, or for beginning violin and viola students under the age of 7
45 minutes: beginning violin and viola students, or intermediate piano students
60 minutes: intermediate and advanced violin and viola students, and advanced-intermediate piano students
Sheet Music and Accessories
The Books and Supplies page provides the full list of sheet music that may be used in Lena's studio. Lena will discuss which books are required, and which purchases are optional. The page also provides links to metronomes, music stands, shoulder rests, peg drops, strings, and other accessories that may be useful to the student.
Instruments
To purchase or rent a violin, viola, keyboard, or acoustic piano, check out these Maryland music shops:
Perrin & Associates Fine Violins: Lena's recommendation for violin and viola purchases, rentals, and repairs. Located in Baltimore on North Charles Street. Contact Perrin to make an appointment.
Additional locations for keyboards, repairs, and accessories
Music & Arts: A music retail company with several Maryland locations.
Bill's Music: A family-owned music shop located exclusively in Catonsville
Menchy's Music: A music retail company with several Maryland locations
Online Stores: specific links found on the Books and Supplies page.
Beginner Lessons
Beginning strings students will learn proper playing position and how to care for their instruments. Early lessons will focus on drawing the bow across the strings. After a few months, students are ready to add the left hand fingers. Students will be taught basic rhythms and music theory, and how to read music. Lessons will draw from the following materials:
The Sassmannshaus Tradition: Early Start on the Violin, Volume I
The Doflein Method: The Violinist's Progress, Volume I
The Young Violinist's Repertoire Book, by Paul de Keyser
Solos for the Young Violinist, Barbara Boxer
Bela Bartok, 44 Violin Duets
Beginning piano students will learn basic rhythms and music theory and how to read music. They will learn to play simple melodies with each hand. Students who have been playing for several months will be ready to learn new positions and keys. Lessons will draw from the following materials:
My First Piano Adventure by Faber, Level A, B and C
Piano Adventures by Faber, Primer Level
Piano Adventures by Faber, Level 1-2A
Piano Adventures for the Older Beginner by Faber, Level 1-2
Recommended lesson length: 30-45 minutes for strings, 30 minutes for piano.
INtermediate Lessons
Intermediate strings students will work on developing tone production, vibrato, shifting, and a variety of bow strokes. They will also learn scales, arpeggios, and etudes in a variety of keys. Students who wish to apply for county and all-state orchestras will receive coaching for the auditions. Lessons will draw from the following materials:
The Doflein Method: Volume II, Volume III, and Volume IV
Etudes by Wohlfahrt, Mazas, Trott, and Kayser
Preparing for Kreutzer, Harvey Whistler
Solos for the Young Violinist, Barbara Boxer
Bela Bartok, 44 Violin Duets
Selections from the standard violin and viola repertoire
Intermediate piano students will learn to play scales and chords in a variety of keys, and learn to use the right and left hands simultaneously and independently. Lessons will draw from the following materials:
Piano Adventures by Faber, Level 2B-3A
The Developing Pianist: Piano Sonatinas, Level 1-4
The Developing Pianist: Piano Literature, Level 1-4
Other selections from the standard piano repertoire
Recommended lesson length: 60 minutes for strings, 45 minutes for piano.
Advanced Lessons
Advanced string students will learn to play scales, arpeggios, and double stops in all keys. They will also study advanced etudes and expand their repertoire. Students will be prepared to audition into county and all-state orchestras, music festivals, and competitions. Lessons may draw from the following materials:
Bach, 6 Sonatas and Partitas for Unaccompanied Violin
Kreutzer, 42 Etudes and Caprices
Dont, 24 Etudes and Caprices
Paganini, 24 Caprices
The Doflein Method: Volume V
Leopold Auer, A Graded Course of Violin Playing
Concertos, sonatas, and concert pieces from the standard string repertoire
Recommended lesson length: 60 minutes, once or twice per week
Special Needs STudents
Lena has experience teaching young students who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Schedule a trial lesson to find out if Lena is the right fit for your child with special needs.
Recitals
Students are given the opportunity to perform on several recitals a year. Performing on the recitals is free of charge, though some advanced strings students may need to hire a piano accompanist.