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A Letter from Ariana

"Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music form the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. They get a beautiful heart." - Dr. Shinichi Suzuki 

I care deeply, not only about the music, but about my students and their well-being and development. Dr. Suzuki's words resonate with the core of my teaching philosophy. I have the privilege of working closely with children and parents for many years (often from elementary school through high school), so I become your child's mentor and your family friend.

I firmly believe that learning an instrument is not only a great creative outlet to be enjoyed for many years to come, but the learning experience itself is key to becoming a well-rounded and kind individual. As a professional violinist with comprehensive training to teach everyone (from young beginners to very advanced students) I offer a unique opportunity: Students under my tutelage will be given all the tools and skills to be able to perform at a high level (and can go on to becoming professional musicians, if it is their calling) and, in the meantime, they will: 

  1. Learn self-discipline, goal-setting, and commitment

  2. Gain confidence (Especially with public speaking) and patience

  3. Practice compassion for themselves and others

  4. Develop and improve fine motor skills and body awareness

  5. Improve reading skills, increasing vocabulary and language ability

  6. Develop listening skills, aural awareness, abstract thinking and imagination

  7. Improve memory skills, building focus, concentration, and attention span

  8. Learn about many cultures and music from all around the globe

  9. Make life-long friends and learn to work as a team 

In order to receive all the benefits of my teaching and music lessons, students are expected to practice a minimum of 5 days per week. Practice expectations will be detailed during lessons and I will always provide a practice plan to help students make the most of their time. 

Since I develop such a close relationship with all of my students and families, it is important to make sure we get to know one other to ensure that we are a good match. All prospective students are invited to interview and audition prior to enrollment.  

Credentials & Performance Bio

 

       Ariana founded her private studio in 2008. To give each student a high-quality experience with

personalized attention, she maintains a small studio of no more than 5 students at a time. 

 

      Ariana received her Master of Music in Violin Performance with Suzuki Pedagogy Emphasis

from The Hartt School, one of the nation's pre-eminent programs for Suzuki pedagogy. Her MMus.

degree included intensive, long-term teacher training in the Suzuki Method. This concentrated two-

year program includes in-depth study of the repertoire in Volumes 1-8 of the Suzuki Violin School.

There, Ariana completed over 80 hours of lesson observation, a teaching mentorship with a Hartt

Suzuki faculty member, and a lecture recital presenting pedagogical concepts with the Suzuki

philosophy throughout the repertoire. Trained under world-renowned pedagogical notables Teri

Einfeldt (Chair, Suzuki Association of America), Ed Kreitman (Noted author of Teaching from the

Balance Point and Teaching with an Open Heart), and Michelle Higa George, Ariana is certified for

Suzuki Violin volumes 1-8. In 2020, Ariana began teacher training in Kaleidoscopes Method. She

has since completed the Kaleidoscopes Practicum and been trained to teach through Kaleidoscopes

Book 2.   

     With a great passion for performance, Ariana an avid freelancer who performs on many of Connecticut's premiere concert stages. She's a tenured member of Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra,  Wallingford Symphony Orchestra, New Britain Symphony Orchestra, and performs with Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra, Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra, Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, CT Philharmonic, Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, and Hartford Opera Theater. 

      Ariana is the President of The American Federation of Musicians (New London Local) and serves as Union Steward for the Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra. Ariana has served as Secretary of Connecticut - American String Teachers Association and been honored to judge the CT-ASTA Young Artists Competition. 

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