teaching philosophy

My Teaching Concept rests on four interconnected pillars—Nature, Nurture, Knowledge, Necessity—which together support the full artistic, technical, and personal development of young musicians.

1. Nature

Understanding the naturalness of violin playing means cultivating comfort, physical balance, and awareness of each student’s unique physiology and psychology. Early training prioritizes healthy posture, instrumental setup, physical freedom, and focused concentration. Establishing these fundamentals creates a shared language between teacher and student and forms the basis for the development of virtuosity, reliability, and artistic confidence. This clarity is especially important in aligning technical and artistic maturity with emerging professional goals.

2. Nurture

Building Blocks of Artistic Development

My nurturing methods follow a structured system of technical development that integrates traditional and modern technique through historically informed approaches.

The in-depth study of repertoire utilizes and strengthens this work by exploring / covering the major solo repertoire, including important contemporary and chamber music repertoire.

Weekly studio classes—live or virtual—provide performance experience, critical reflection, and collegial exchange. For over a decade, online teaching has expanded access, support, and international connections.

3. Knowledge

Broadening students’ intellectual and artistic horizons is central to their growth. I promote the parallel study of masterworks from diverse musical styles together with inter related disciplines such as visual art, literature, and theater, and I assign analytical lectures on the associated repertoire.

Historical and cultural understanding—treatises, instrumental evolution, stylistic practices—deepens interpretive insight. I advocate intensely exploring contemporary composition as well as lesser-known historical composers, believing that intellectual rigor and emotional depth bring masterpieces truly to life.

4. Necessity

It is essential that young artists discover and understand the varied career paths open to them and the specific skills each path requires.

• Solo performance careers demand virtuosity, resilience, secure knowledge of repertoire, competitive experience, and constant performance preparation.
• Orchestral careers require ensemble skills, audition readiness, repertoire knowledge, both leadership and partnership understanding, and familiarity with differing traditions and expectations.
• Chamber music demands tenacity, collaboration, artistic unity, and practical awareness of the ensemble’s professional realities.
• Pedagogy constitutes an additional key element in the career selection process. My work in establishing the Vivaldi Program in Germany, Austria and here at UNCSA—demonstrates the social values of teaching and the essential role hands-on experience plays in shaping responsible, community-minded artists.

Coda

My philosophy aims to build strong foundations for successful and varied musical lives. Yet no method can fully express the individualized care, creativity, and flexibility I bring to each individual student. Supporting a young musicians’ evolving needs, strengths, and aspirations is both my deepest responsibility and my greatest joy.