Julia C. TakeLessons Instructor Music, Cello, Piano, Violin Austin, TX

A native of Montana, Julia is currently pursuing her doctorate in cello performance from the University of Texas at Austin.  She began piano lessons at the age of four, cello lessons at the age of ten, and violin at 22.  After studying at Indiana University with Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Emilio Colon, and Janos Starker, she traveled to Austin to join Bion Tsang's studio and build her own.  This year she will finish Suzuki training, and also teaches movement methods influenced by Feldenkrais and Alexander techniques.  She teaches for the University of Texas String Project, Amadeus Home Music School, Briarcliff Music School, and privately, as well as for Take Lessons.  Besides teaching, she is a frequent performer with Austin ensembles, including string quartets and bands. 

Julia takes a holistic approach to her lessons, with the belief that all aspects of musical education are important.  A typical lesson, as well as instrumental technique, will also include theory, history, ear training,  and instrument maintenance.  While classically trained, Julia's emphasis is on music making, no matter the genre.  As well as classical music, she also teaches rock, popular, jazz, and folk, all with the same guidance in technique, tone production, and reduction of stress while playing.  For young cello and violin students, Julia uses Suzuki's native tongue approach, teaching each piece aurally first, and then adding the printed music.  This decreases the amount of things young students have to concentrate on at each given moment.  As reading abilities and comfort with the instrument increase, this is altered to include more emphasis on reading.  She is a patient and energetic teacher, willing to try any number of techniques to teach a given skill.

My methods are influenced by Suzuki, Feldenkrais, and Alexander. I will be finished with Suzuki certification this spring.

Music, Cello, Piano, Violin