Sonia - Teacher #2251

Instruments:
- Violin

Services:
- Alexander Technique
- Ear Training
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)

Languages:
- English
- German

Teaching Philosophy

My approach to teaching emphasizes a positive atmosphere, musicality, technique and ease of playing. My past teaching experiences have shown me that a positive learning environment is the best way to keep my students inspired and motivated to learn. I believe that working on technique is important, and that developing musicality and creativity early on is equally valuable. From my own teachers I have adopted a physically relaxed way of playing to avoid injury and have even more freedom in music making. My studies in Alexander Technique contribute to this mindset and are a great teaching tool.

Musical Education

I recently earned my Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Ottawa. I grew up in Berlin, Germany and music was always part of my life from an early age. My main instrument is violin, but I received classical instruction in piano and voice as well. I am greatly inspired by the rich musical culture in Berlin, which influences my own music making and teaching. My main teachers include Yehonatan Berick, and I will begin my Master of Music at McGill University this fall studying with Axel Strauss.

Awards and Distinctions

Through violin performances and my dedication to my studies I received several awards:

2017: Rose Bowl Competition Halifax (1st prize),
Early Music Society of Nova Scotia Award,
HLMC Ida Pascal Memorial Award for Violin Sonata,
Fountain School of Performing Arts Summer Program Award

2015: National School Orchestra Award



Special Skills and Training

For young learners, I follow the Mimi Zweig String Pedagogy, which leans on the Suzuki method and focuses on ear training early on. Studying this method and applying it has been a great way to integrate my own experiences and teaching style into a more established system. I have studied Alexander technique privately for the past five years, with one-on-one sessions in the summers. This has allowed me to grasp the main concepts of the technique and apply it to my playing. Recently, I gained further experience teaching online by working with children as a VIPKid teacher. I learned how to overcome the typical challenges of online learning such as keeping children engaged and having a positive atmosphere.

Rates

30 Minutes: $39.00
45 Minutes: $49.00
60 Minutes: $59.00

There is a one-time registration fee of 25 $ charged with the first lessons. All Taxes are included in prices, if applicable

NOTE: Your Credit card will be charged ONLY when the first lesson is set up and confirmed with the teacher

Policies


1. Cancellation Policy

Lessons not cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice are billable to the client and payable to the teacher. This does not of course apply to travel fees unless the notice is effectively given at the door and the teacher has travelled to the location.

2. Cessation (quitting) Policy

A client must provide a 2 lesson notice period to stop lessons. So a weekly student needs to give 2 weeks of notice, a biweekly student works out to 3 weeks notice and a twice weekly student works out to a week of notice.

3. Illness Policy

Lessons cancelled due to illness or extraordinary circumstances with less than 24 hours notice remain billable to the client and payable to the teacher.

BAH teachers are encouraged to offer a make-up lesson at a future date in the interest of client relations and general goodwill. This only makes sense as teaching a student with the flu for example, will ruin the rest of your week's employment.

No more than 2 lessons may be made up due to illness within a 60 day period.

4. Rescheduling Policy

Any lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice.

Summer Vacation and Extended Absence Policy

Clients may schedule longer absences for trips etc. 24 hours notice is required.

It is normal and typical for students and about 20% of our teachers to schedule a break in the summer. We do not enforce a notice period (see cessation of lessons) at the end of a long summer break.

5. Evaluation Period

There are no free trial lessons with Beethoven at Home but we do offer a 2 lesson evaluation period where it is easy to try out a teacher. There are no free lessons during the evaluation period and clients may choose to discontinue the lessons at any time by providing the required 24 hours notice. After the student's 3rd lesson the required 2 lesson notice period will apply (see cessation of lessons above).

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