Introducing: Group Violin Accelerator Classes in Canberra… curious?

When I first started my teaching studio, I had one vision in mind. To share the joy of music and all the positive wellbeing it brings to daily life.

And what I realised is that I can contribute to this vision by showing young beginners how amazing music is and getting them excited to learn with curiosity.

And just like my own philosophy on teaching music, I’m always RESULTS-ORIENTED.

So I’m restructuring my studio to provide a complete answer to keeping young kids motivated and engaged in learning their first instrument. In this case the violin!

This is me, you & a small community of like-minded parents and students looking for the best way to facilitate music education and engagement with violin.

And it’s only a good fit if you are a parent of a child who has expressed a desire to learn violin and wants to give them a positive first experience learning an instrument.

If you feel like this is for you, Here’s what we’ll work on together…

Encouraging curiosity: Together we will facilitate up to 3 group class experiences per week where your child can engage in the joy of playing violin. At home you can help by encouraging their curiosity by simply asking about what they have learnt and encouraging them to show you.
Simplicity: I have designed the classes to cover the practicalities of learning violin, ensemble playing and basic music theory. Your job is to simply commit to bringing your child to the classes prepared to have fun.
Impact: We cannot truly measure how much value there is in providing a safe, caring, nurturing music experience for your child. These connections and memories live on far beyond the end of the program. More than ever, positive social connections weekly are beneficial for everyone, and music is the perfect conduit.
Time & Energy: Where we put our time and energy is where we see great progress and growth. Committing to multiple classes a week will ensure your student progresses and is engaged through what they achieve. In one semester your child can progress more than they would in years of one-on-one lessons. Because the biggest factor in progress is simply supervised time playing the violin. It is that simple.

Overall more…social, engaging, and fun! The way violin lessons should be!

🎵 Step 1 Meeting your teacher…

Your first step is quite simple. Book a free trial lesson so we can meet in person and see if the program will be a good fit for you and your child. We can try a violin and have a look around the studio space and most of all have some fun!

🎵 Step 2 Sign up…

No-one likes too much admin so I have streamlined the process for us both. All I will need is some basic details to sign you up in My Music Staff and set up Direct Debits for the program. Read and sign the studio agreement and tada! You're all set to support your child in their desire to learn violin. I can help with recommendations to purchase or hire a violin. All music and other materials will be provided as part of the program. I will work with you to set all of that up. Easy as!!

🎵 Step 3 Begin classes…

Time to meet the other students and start the very exciting journey learning violin! I am so excited to share my many years of teaching and learning experience with your child. Because I know how important the first lessons are in setting up your child to succeed.

As in any new pursuit, there will be times when your child is super motivated and others when they are not. That is normal and expected. Simply continue to be consistent and don’t worry about forcing practice at home. Focus on connection, curiosity and being immersed in music. Listen to music together, sing together, be silly and dance together. And leave the tricky violin stuff to me!

🎵 Step 4 What’s next…

After completing the first year of group classes your child is ready to move onto private lessons and join Studio 6 Ensemble to continue the fun.

Private tuition is also charged as a membership fee per month starting at $220/month and includes weekly private lessons, Studio 6 Ensemble (1.5 hours per week) Music Theory Class (30 min per week) and end of year recital.

This is what it could look like at the end of your first year…

✅ Your child will have performed for you in a family friendly Recital. We will celebrate their progress and give them a fun performance experience.

✅ Your child will have made social connections and friendships.

✅ Your child should have some clarity if the violin is an instrument they would like to continue to learn or if another instrument would be a better fit, after giving it a fair go.

✅ You as the parent will feel satisfied that you fulfilled your child's curiosity and desire to learn the violin. That you have given them the beginning of a lifetime of participation in music learning and appreciation and all the wonderful opportunities and wellbeing that it brings.

✅ Your child will be able to hold their instrument correctly and use the bow (arco) as well as pluck the strings (pizzicato).

✅ Your child will be able to set up and pack away their instrument, and know how to care for it.

✅ Your child will be able to sing and play rhythms correctly using the four open strings and name them.

✅ Your child will be able to use all four fingers on the fingerboard and play one octave major scales.

✅ Your child will begin to read violin music and understand how music notation corresponds to the sounds we make on the violin.

✅ Your child will understand basics of how to behave in an ensemble and how to play together with other musicians.

So what does this look like week to week:

45 min Group Classes: Choose 3 group classes per week to attend at my studio in Palmerston. Come to class prepared with instruments, music and a water bottle. I will provide chairs and stands so we have minimal set up and pack up time.
Facilitate Home Practice: See if you can create a routine that involves 5-10 minutes of violin playing on the days that they do not come to a class. This encourages them to have ownership of their learning and to consolidate what they are doing in lessons.
Keep Connected: I am available to answer questions, help students who might find a particular part of learning stressful, or if your child has some extra needs. Reach out via text, email or in person after class. My aim is to work alongside you to support your child's learning and experience. So reach out and let's continue to communicate and troubleshoot!
Relax: All music and materials used in class are provided as part of your program.

This is NOT for students who:

Are not asking to learn the violin. A student who is pushed into learning violin cannot open up to learning in the same way as a student who is curious and open to engaging.
Want to stay stuck on one piece for weeks and weeks and do not want to progress fast.
Are overwhelmed or overstimulated in social or group settings.
Have many other hobbies and classes already during the school week. Committing to this program means making the time and space for it to succeed. Tired, overstretched students will not make the progress both you and I desire.
Consistently refuse to participate in the class respectfully. For all students it is important that respectful behaviour and participation are a standard expectation.

Why am I doing this?

Better and faster results for your child. What I’ve learned over the past 18 years of doing this is that the results don’t come from just the passing on of knowledge.

Beginner violinists need to be routinely playing their instrument. Every hour spent actively playing naturally skyrockets their confidence and mastery.

They also need to learn this knowledge in a fun and engaging way, where repetition isn’t a barrier but a tool.

Because playing violin requires mastery of fine motor skills that develop over time and with careful repetition. It is and never will be a quick fix, easy to do, can cheat the system task…

Plus, I wanna make sure it’s fun for both myself and the students! Teaching beginners one after the other in one-on-one classes can be tiresome and unmotivating.

On top of that, students don’t get to see how wonderful the violin is when played in an ensemble. String instruments are made to be played in ensembles and I believe that needs to be the focus throughout their tuition.

I’m looking for 30 interested beginner violin students who will be fun to engage with and who desire to learn all they can about playing violin!

So how does it work?

Commitment: 12 months (12 equal monthly direct debits)
Time: 3 group classes of 45 minutes each week and a family friendly Recital
Investment: $220/month

So that’s it.

Now you’ve read through, if you’re in, just reply to me with “I’M IN” and I’ll get in touch to schedule our first lesson and onboard you into the program!

And let me know if you have any Q’s and if you think this could be what you’re looking for!

Again, I’m only looking for 30 students to start Term 1, 2024, so secure your place now to avoid missing out.