Berkeley Parents Network: Violin & Fiddle Lessons

Berkeley Parents Network

Violin & Fiddle Lessons

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Classes & Lessons > Violin & Fiddle Lessons

Violin teacher for a 4 year old

Oct 2007

looking for a playful and fun violin teacher for a 4 year old - who has asked to play the violin. (she did not get this from her parents - dad plays the allman bros on his guitar) looking for someone who is warm and child centered. suzuki method is a must. (i have looked into, and do not feel the crowden center is appropriate for us at this time) Julia

Danielle Charboneau is near the Caldecott Tunnel in Oakland. She is very experienced with small children, and makes the early stages of learning violin fun. Be warned, though, that although the Suzuki method is effective, it can be a real commitment. Suzuki mom

I did not see your original post, but I have to take every opportunity to recommend our violin teacher! Briana Waters has been my daughter's violin teacher for almost 2 years. My daughter started taking lessons with her when she was 3. She LOVES Briana. Briana is very low pressure & patient w/ the kids. BTW- Briana uses the Suzuki method. She does lessons @ her home near Mills. Her contact info fiddlocity@yahoo.com (510) 336-9819 Virginia, mama to a violin (sort of) virtuoso!

Viola teacher for 11-year-old

August 2006

I am looking for a fun viola teacher for my 11 year old son. In the Berkeley, El Cerrito area. Any ideas? jc

The Crowden Center for Music in the Community offers private instruction on the viola, as well as string ensembles and instruction on other instruments. We are located at 1475 Rose Street (corner of Sacramento) in Berkeley. Please contact us at 510-559-2941 or ccmc@crowden.org for more information. We'd be happy to send you our brochure and/or tell you more about our programs and teachers Marion Atherton

Violin lessons for 2.5 year old

April 2006

I am looking for a violin and/or mandolin teacher for my 2 1/2 year old. My husband plays violin and mandolin with him and he loves it. Any one know of a teacher who is loving, patient, good with this age group and teaches kids this young. He is able to sit through music lessons for hours at time and loves music. Someone close or in Alameda would be perfect. THanks!

The Crowden Center for Music in the Community is starting a new Suzuki Violin program for children ages 3-7. The program will be directed by Goran Berg, the founder and director of the highly acclaimed Suzuki Strings Academy in Livermore. Mr. Berg is a dynamic and experienced music educator who is wonderful with young children. Please give me a call if your child will be three soon! Marion Atherton Associate Director, Crowden Center for Music in the Community (510) 559-2941

Patient Violin Teacher for 13 year old

October 2005

My 13 year old son would like to try a couple of violin lessons to see how he likes it. Recommendations for a PATIENT violin teacher appreciated. We are in El Cerrito. sukell

My son is taking lessons with Ondine Young, at her home near El Cerrito. She has a very calm personality, making me think she would be quite patient. She clearly has a lot of teaching experience.

Here's the posting from BPN announcements a couple of months ago:

ARLINGTON ARTS MUSIC STUDIO ($TBA sliding scale)
-------------------------------------------
submitted by: Ondine Young (ondinetyoung AT aol.com)

(Appropriate for all ages)

The Arlington Arts Music studio has more openings for the
fall/winter season. Ondine Young, William Skeen, and others teach
individual and group lessons for all levels of strings (violin,
viola, cello), beginning piano and recorder. Sliding scale fees
available, TBA. Locations in Berkeley and Richmond off of the
Arlington. We believe in using a variety of teaching methods to
suit the individual and group needs, from aurally-based Suzuki to
visually-based Orff-Kodaly; teaching both ''by ear'' and
incorporating elementary reading skills. The health of the body
and enjoyment of the music making process lead the way.
Ondine and William are free-lance musicians who also teach at
CCMC/The Crowden School of Music in Berkeley, lead the CCMC
Saturday Children's choir, and produce collaborative concerts at
St. David of Wales Church.
For more information on teachers, please visit
www.lamonicaensemble.com or www.thecrowdenschool.org (Ondine
Young, William Skeen, and others TBA). Please contact
ondinetyoung AT aol.com or call (510) 233-9403 for a trial lesson.

jen

Violin teacher for my child and I

June 2004

I'm looking for a violin teacher who can teach a group lesson to my son (5 years old) and I. We both have never played before so we'd need to rent violins also. I thought if we took the lesson together it would encourage both of us to practice as well as enjoy the experience together. Looking for a teacher in El Cerrito, Albany or Richmond.

The Crowden Center for Music in the Community has violin lessons for both children and adults. There are also chamber music groups for kids and chamber music concerts on Sundays throughout the year that are geared toward families with children. It's a great place to learn about music. Vickie

Violin Teacher for 3 year old

April 2004

I am looking for a Suzuki violin teacher in Walnut Creek area. My child is not 3 years old yet and still needs some time. But I would like to attend the children concerts or open classes with him. Any info is very appreciated.

The city of Walnut Creek has a wonderful arts education program: http://arts-ed.org/privatemusic.htm I can personally recommend one of their instructors, Rem Djemilev, who is great with kids, teaches private lessons and conducts several youth orchestras around the Bay Area. I'm sure there are other good teachers in this program, too. I don't know whether they would take a child as young as three years old, but it's worth a try. Music Lover

Violin teachers for young children

Sept 2003

I'm interested in hearing experiences with violin teachers Ann Marie Suderman and Ondine Young, particularly in working with young children. I only saw one post in the archives on Ms. Suderman. Anon

My son, a violinist from age 3, took lessons from Anne Marie Suderman back in 1987, after we moved from San Mateo to the East Bay. He was 8 years old and quite talented. However, whereas she was a competent teacher, she became enraged on one occasion when she saw him mistreating his violin and she grabbed the violin and hurled it across the room while screaming at him. He wasn't used to the ''artistic temperament,'' and we changed to a calmer teacher after a year.

Please email me privately regarding violin teacher Annemarie Suderman. deborah

Anne-Marie Suderman has been my daughter's violin teacher for two years. I have never seen behavior remotely like that described in a previous posting (relating an incident that happened 15 years ago!) Anne-Marie has always been patient, humorous, caring, and encouraging. She even bakes delicious coffee cakes at the childen's monthly Saturday group lessons!

We tried sample lessons with three other teachers before we chose Anne-Marie (for whom we had to wait 6 months to find an opening). Each of the other three was bizarre in some way - we were beginning to despair about the ''artistic temperament.'' We immediately clicked with Anne-Marie's mixture of caring, warmth, and seriousness.

Anne-Marie has taught several of our friends' children for many years. The children range from six years old to high school age, and some are very talented, some less so, but they all have become accomplished musicians and the parents think highly of her. Her concerts always emphasize support for each musician.

I think you need to have fairly long conversations with any potential teacher and have at least one sample lesson before you sign on with anyone!

Best of luck finding the right person. I feel very fortunate to have found Anne-Marie! =Another opinion!

Suzuki violin teacher for 6-year-old

April 2003

I did look in the archives but I didn't see what I wanted specifically: a Suzuki violin teacher for a six year old. Any recomendations? Winoka

Danielle Charbonneau is an excellent teacher for young children. She is teaching three of ours (5, 8, and 12 years old). She is young, friendly, and lively, and quick to understand a child's personality and tailor her instruction accordingly. She lives just off Highway 13 (Broadway Terrace exit). I'm not sure whether she wants to take on any more students, but if the location can work for you, it's worth a call: 510-923-1937. Good luck. Eirik

I would like to second the recomendation for Danielle Charboneau. My 8 year old has been taking lessons with her for the past year. Danielle is an excellent teacher. My daughter loves her, and looks forward to the lessons and concerts. Even though she still doesn't like to practice, her playing has shown great improvement over the past year! Danielle's phone number again is: (510) 923-1937 Mary

Violin teacher near Oakland or CC County

Jan 2003

I live in Antioch. I am looking for an experienced violin teacher for my daughter, preferably a Suzuki teacher. Do you know any violin teacher who lives in downtown Oakland area or in Contra Costa County (anywhere closer to Antioch)? Thanks. Helen

Try calling Julie Athayde (925.254.8661). She is a wonderful violin teacher; if she doesn't have openings she may be able to recommend someone else closer to your area. Another good teacher is Sharon Wood (925.825.9248). Elisabeth

We are very happy with Danielle Charbonneau, who lives in Montclair, near Lake Temescal. We have three children, ages 5, 8, and 11, taking lessons from her, and I would be happy to talk to you about our experience, with her and with other teachers. 654-5653 Eirik

Violin teacher for adult

July 2002

I am looking for a violin instructor for a musically inclined 35 year old who hasn't played the violin in 25 years. Danielle

I am a violin teacher in Berkeley and I teach adults as well as children. Feel free to give me a call and talk about what you're looking for, schedules, fees, etc. 548-3738 home/work phon I. Sazer

I highly recommend Jim Shallenberger. His specialty is teaching violin to adults. I started lessons with him about 6 months ago, never having played the violin before. He is patient and encouraging. His number is 524-6996. Jill

I am a violin and viola teacher with a large adult student population. I offer individual lessons as well as a chamber music class for adults who are at either a beginning or intermediate level. I love doing this and am always so impressed that adults can find the strength and fortitude to flourish on the path toward musical expression! My studio is in Southwest Berkeley. Phyllis Kamrin, almaduo at attbi.com

Online violin instruction: http://www.chrisbsmusic.com

Violin Teacher for 5 year old

Nov 2002

Does anyone have experience with the Holy Names Suzuki program for children that they could share with me? Any specific teachers there that that you recommend? Or, do you have a violin teacher for your child that you love? I live in Redwood Heights in Oakland and am looking for something fairly close to my house. This will be my son's first music instruction. He has expressed interest in playing the violin consistently for the past 2 years. Sheila

I highly recommend Danielle Charboneau, who lives near you (just off 13/Broadway Terrace) and just moved here from Chicago. She inherited many of Robin Reid's students (including three of my children, ages 5 to 11), when Robin stopped teaching last year. I have heard mixed reviews of the Holy Names program, but have no personal experience with it. Good luck. Eirik

Violin Teacher for Toddler

October 2001

I am hoping that someone might be able to recommend a violin teacher in the Berkeley area who specializes or at least has experience in working with toddlers; specifically, a 2.5 year old. A Suzuki teacher would be ideal, but I would consider other methods. I have been working with my child myself, but feel we could both benefit from some exposure to a specialist, as I am reaching the limits of my expertise. I have been told that there are people who focus their work on children this young, but they all seem to live a considerable distance away.

Try the Preparatory Department at Holy Names College, they have a large Suzuki Violin, Piano, etc. department there and could probably either help you there or recommend a teacher. But the advantage of the larger program (especially for violin) is being a part of the group classes and recitals, it's a real community. Amelie

The Preparatory Music Department at Holy Names College has a large Suzuki program, and I know some of the teachers take very young students. Cynthia

Annemarie Suderman in Albany is a kind, gentle and caring Suzuki violin teacher. She spends a fair amount of time accomplishing the proper position of the instrument, which I think is great so kids don't hurt themselves playing incorrectly, and incorporates melodies and songs appropriate to the child's abilities. Nori

Violin teacher in Oakland or CC County

January 2003

Suzuki violin teacher for 6-year-old

April 2003

I did look in the archives but I didn't see what I wanted specifically: a Suzuki violin teacher for a six year old. Any recomendations? Winoka

Fiddlekids

May 2003

In past summers, somebody offered ''Fiddlesticks'' a half day violin class on what else, but fiddling. I think this person was located in Richmond. Is this program still happening? We are looking for a fun strings experience for a 12-year old with 4 plus years of violin, that is local (Berk/Alb, EC,Richmond, N.Oakland), that would last 1-2 weeks. I searched for Fiddlesticks on the web site and came up with no hits. Does anyone have previous experience or a name/phone number to contact them by? Thanks for the help! (Cazadero won't work for us this year.) Lissa

Question was: Is Fiddlesticks still around?
Answer: YES! I am the director of FIDDLEKIDS and I assume this is what you are looking for. FIDDLEKIDS is a one-week intensive day-camp providing instruction in traditional fiddle styles with accompanying art and dance. One year minimum on the violin is required prior to camp and the camp is for kids ages 7-13. Further information can be found at: www.fiddlekids.com or email me at bobbinik at attbi.com
Bobbi Shearn Nikles

More Reviews

I would like to reccommend an excellent violin teacher: Zachery Carrettin, 594-4000, ext. 207. He is located in North Oakland, and teaches both jazz and classical violin.
Jill

We have Donna Lerew, a master violin teacher, for our daughter for the past 9 years, and we're very happy about her professional, gentle, and encouraging ways. Donna Lerew: 510-524-5203. She is on Hopkins Street. Good luck, Yoko (11/00)

My daughter has taken lessons from Carla Picchi for the past two years. Carla is a very talented teacher who plays more than one instrument and my daughter has improved tremendously under her tutelage and has really begun to enjoy music. I highly recommend her. Her prices are little expensive $50/hr but I think she is worth it. She lives off Broadway Terrace, close to Rockridge. Stella

My daughter (9 years old) has been taking Suzuki method lessons from Wendy Reid for three years. She's a wonderful teacher with high standards. She's teaches out of her house in Berkeley. Wendy is affiliated with the Preparatory Music department at Holy Names College. Call Holy Names at 436-1000 regarding their program and other teachers in the Berkeley area. I'm not sure if they offer group lessons.

Violin teachers: Edith Szendrey and Eugene Chukhlov, 510-758-7870. They are excellent musicians, are interested in teaching, and recently moved to El Sobrante. From South Berkeley it is about a 15 to 20 minute drive to their house. Ruth

From: Christina

Someone asked about a violin teacher -- Our 8 year old takes violin lessons with Edith Szendrey, 215-7810. She's been taking lessons for about a year, and it seems to be going well. I know Edith has students younger than our daughter, too. Edith lives in Mira Vista, a neighborhood in Richmond on the El Cerrito border.

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