Dear Faculty, Parents and Students:
Welcome to our new after school enrichment music program at Immaculate Conception School in Monrovia! Our program will teach Beginning Violin. This is an opportunity for students to appreciate and eventually master the most beautiful instrument in a classical orchestra! The violin has the power to uplift your spirit, make you laugh, and reach the depth of your soul!
The classes will be held on Tuesday after school at 3:15 until 4:30 p.m. for students who are interested. Our classes will be small with between 4 to 8 students per class. This will ensure a high quality, individualized lesson for the students. Learning the violin is challenging but also fun. It increases a person’s sense of beauty and is intellectually enriching. In most cases, learning to play an instrument leads to better test scores at school!
About me and the student teachers
I have been a lifelong resident of Monrovia and started my violin career here. I currently play for the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, New West Symphony and have been concertmaster for the West Coast Symphony and the Hour of Power – Crystal Cathedral Orchestra. I have also enjoyed recording for many pop and classic artists as well as movie soundtracks and commercial recordings. I’ve taught since I was 16 years old for private students as young as 4 years old and as old as 80! I have also taught at colleges, universities, as well as in primary and secondary schools. It is my goal to give back to my own community and bring a high standard of music education to Monrovia at an affordable cost.
I will be teaching these lessons with some of my most talented students to help them further their abilities to teach and help them earn enough money to go to colleges of their choice. This program will keep the costs down for the I.C. students while still providing access to a professional musician and young emerging artists. $5 per student per lesson will be given to I.C. School for hosting us.
Tuition and Rentals
The group lessons will cost $30 per week per student. Tuition is due in semester increments; the total is $270 for 9 weeks of instruction. This is due by April 12, 2016. If you are paying by check, make it payable to: Avanti Ensemble. There are no refunds but, in certain cases, make-up sessions will be scheduled or a private lesson may be scheduled for an additional fee.
I am available as soon as possible to secure a rental instrument with you, or help you buy an instrument if you wish. I have worked with Metzler Violins in Glendale and they have some very nice instruments available. The rental fees range from about $27 to $50 per month with a 3 month minimum. I will personally assist you so that you get the best instrument possible for your money.
Musical Goals
During the coming weeks, the students will learn:
- How to read music
- Ear training
- Memorization techniques, and finally
- How to perform.
At the end of the term we will present a small concert. At that time, students will perform together on some small songs.
If you would like to have private lessons, we can make arrangements for that as well. The prices range from $35 to $80 per hour.
We look forward to training the new students of Immaculate Conception School! I can be reached for questions at my office (626-358-5939), via cell phone (626-644-1919) or by email: AvantiEnsemble@aol.com.
