Elyse B. TakeLessons Instructor music, Violin, Viola Big Rock, IL

I have been teaching Violin and Viola for 2 years.  It is my passion to share my love of music with others, which I get to do almost everyday as a teacher and a member of a band.  When I teach my students, I focus on them and their needs.  The lessons are individualized based on the student's needs, strengths, and weaknesses. 

I was classically trained on violin and viola, and have played for 18 years.  As a young violinist/violist I was interested in playing more than just classical music.  I began to explore other styles of playing the violin.  I went from Irish Fiddle, to American Fiddle, to Jazz, and then to Rock Violin.  Although I do teach classical violin/viola, I can't wait for the opportunity to teach a beginning or intermediate violinist/violist how to play violin/viola with modern music. 

In my 18 years of playing, I have been involved in many ensembles.  I was a member of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra from 1996-1998.  I was also a member of both my high school and college orchestras.   I have played in a weekly church worship team, and most recently joined a rock band in the fall of 2007.  We have several shows coming up this summer, which is very exciting.

During our first lesson together I like to get a feel for what the goals are of the student.  What are they wanting to get out of learning the violin/viola?  Then, we begin!  I do not limit myself to one curriculum, because I feel this is too limiting for students.  I make the decision on what curriculum to use based on the students level of ability, their interests, and their needs as a musician.

I am a firm believer that to become a great violinist/violist you must put the time into practice, but I leave this up to the student.  If a student choses not to practice or practices minimally, they will get minimal results in their abilities, and of course the opposite is true of practicing purposly and putting in the time.  I equip students with the skills to have successful practice time at home, but I not "punish" students for not practicing.

Fiddle, Jazz, Classical, Rock

Community High School - - 1994-1998
College Of DuPage - General Education - 1998-2000
Kishwaukee Community College - Medical Billing and Coding - Jan 2007-May 2008

music, Violin, Viola