Try the length you’re considering
Your first lesson can be 30 or 60 minutes. Tell me your student’s age and we can decide what makes sense.
Violin lessons
with room
to grow.
Private violin lessons for children and teens, shaped around their age, experience, and goals. Meet at my Highland, Utah studio or talk with me about lessons in your home.
30 or 60 minutes. Time to play, ask questions, and get to know each other.
Hi, I’m Derek.
Suzuki training from childhood.
Individual attention for your student.
I began violin at three and graduated from the Suzuki program at nine. Today, I pair Suzuki repertoire with studies, scales, and listening, choosing work around each student’s current ability and goals.
Concerto competition winner with the Salt Lake Symphony, Utah Valley Symphony, and Lyceum Philharmonic.
I want students to understand how music works while feeling encouraged to keep going. We take technique seriously, and make room for the enjoyment of learning a piece and hearing it come together.
My training and performance background
My performance experience includes the Lyceum Philharmonic, Utah Valley Symphony, University of Utah Philharmonic, and the Utah Symphony student side-by-side program. I have competed in the Utah Valley String Festival, Utah’s Music Federation, the UMTA Competition, and high school Solo & Ensemble.
Teachers and training
I studied with Shauna Burt, Dr. Monte Belknap, Dr. Judd Sheranian, and Dr. Blanka Bednarz. My teachers’ backgrounds include study or work at Juilliard, the New England Conservatory, Brigham Young University, and the University of Utah.
Awards and achievements
- Utah State Orchestra: four times
- High school state Superior rating (Score 1): four times
- Utah Valley String Festival Superior rating (Rank 1): three times
- Salt Lake Symphony Concerto Competition winner
- Utah Valley Symphony Concerto Competition winner
- Lyceum Philharmonic Concerto Competition winner
- Forum Music Festivals Outstanding Musicianship Award
- Full music scholarships to the University of Utah and Utah Valley University
Your first lesson,
without the guesswork.
There’s no charge for the first lesson. It gives us time to understand where your student is and where to begin.
Bring the violin and recent books
Bring current books and any older books studied recently. If your student is just beginning, bring their violin.
Leave knowing where to start
We’ll talk about experience and goals, spend time playing, and discuss a starting point for lessons.
Three ideas for your practice.
Reminders we’ll work through together in your lesson.
Play in Utah.
Stay parallel and close to the bridge for a clear, projecting sound.
Take it slowly.
Work through the passage carefully at 60 or 80 bpm.
Listen before you play.
Find a favorite recording of your piece and listen before you pick up the violin.
Reviews
“Derek has so much patience working with kids, which makes a huge difference in their learning experience.”
Lesson rates
and locations.
Meet at my Highland, Utah studio, or text me your city to talk about lessons in your home.
Private violin lessons
Lessons with Derek at the Highland studio.
30 minutes
$40per lesson60 minutes
$50per lessonAge helps determine the right length. We’ll talk about your student before choosing 30 or 60 minutes.
Monthly tuitionDue at the beginning of each month. We’ll confirm the amount for your lessons.
ReschedulingPlease give at least 24 hours’ notice when you need to reschedule.
SchedulingText me to talk about lesson times and arrangements.
Before we meet
A few things families often want to know.
Who are lessons for?
I teach children and teens, from beginners to students building on their experience. Text me the student’s age and what they’ve played so far, and we can talk about what they need.
Can you travel to us?
Yes, I offer in-home lessons as well as lessons at my Highland studio. Text me your city so we can talk about scheduling and travel. In-home lessons include an additional $10 travel fee per lesson.
Does my student need a violin already?
Yes. Please bring their violin to the first lesson, along with their current books and any older books studied recently. Beginners don’t need to guess which books to buy before we meet.
Which books should we buy?
Use the book and edition I assign for your lessons. The student resources page has links and edition notes, so there’s no need to guess.
How do we pay tuition?
Tuition is due at the beginning of each month. The student resources page has the studio’s Venmo link and payment instructions. Use the amount arranged for your lessons.
Let’s find a time
to meet.
Try a free 30- or 60-minute lesson. We’ll talk about your student and choose a length together.
Text Derek to get startedA few details are all I need.
Tell me the student’s age, their violin experience, and a few days and times that work. If you’d like lessons at home, include your city.
We’ll find a time
I’ll text you back to arrange the first lesson and answer your questions.
Bring the violin and recent books
Bring the current books and any older books your student has studied recently. For beginners, bring the violin.
Already part of the studio?
Your lesson books, listening resources, music opportunities, and tuition information are all in one place.