Violin, viola, and cello private lessons are tailored not just to skill level but also to each
student's particular desires and ideas. Some students thrive on Elizabeth Erickson's
eclectic core curriculum, while others gravitate toward anything from fiddling to jazz to
rock music. No one is too old or too young to begin lessons! Her students range widely
in age from under five to over fifty. Liz applies a lot of Dalcroze Eurhythmics and the
Suzuki method to her teaching, especially with children, and students also are taught to
improvise freely from the very first lesson. In addition, Liz encourages interested
students to compose something themselves for each week (beginning with very short
fragments and gradually getting more complex in step with growing technique) because
of the essential connection between reading, playing, and writing music.
Violin, viola, and cello beginner classes are held in 10-week sessions. They are open
to all ages including adults; those under 10 need a parent or guardian present for the
duration of the first class, and those under 6 need a parent or guardian to attend every
class. Students with musical background of any kind are welcome, but no prior musical
experience is expected. Classes are small, dynamic, and fun, with an emphasis on
musicality, note-reading, and technique to get beginners started on the right foot.
Graduates of the beginner classes are encouraged to continue, either with private
lessons or by arranging a semi-private lesson with one or more of their classmates from
the beginner class. Graduates are also eligible to join the orchestra, described below.
String Orchestra is held at a location in North-East Santa Rosa near Hidden Valley
Elementary School. While the group meets weekly, students have the option to register
for every other week instead. The ensemble is geared toward middle to high schoolers,
but older and younger students are welcome to join as well. Because all music is written
or arranged specifically for the participants, a variety of levels from beginner to advanced
are able to play together. The students are encouraged to suggest pieces to play from
any genre, and improvisation, composition, music theory, Dalcroze Eurythmics, and
conducting are all included in the curriculum. Please visit the orchestra page (link on the
left) for more information and to download an enrollment packet.
All students are invited to group classes throughout the year to get to know and support
one another and gain performing experience. These classes are free of charge and
students are expected to attend as many as their schedules allow. Typical class topics
include solo performance practice, ensemble playing, composition, improvisation,
problem-solving and peer teaching. Periodically, guest artists are invited to coach at
master classes, addressing a wide variety of playing and/or composing techniques.
Additionally, students are facilitated in playing small ensembles together, either with
regular coaching sessions at Liz's studio or on their own by arrangement. And all
students participate in the Composing Strings Concert each spring!
student's particular desires and ideas. Some students thrive on Elizabeth Erickson's
eclectic core curriculum, while others gravitate toward anything from fiddling to jazz to
rock music. No one is too old or too young to begin lessons! Her students range widely
in age from under five to over fifty. Liz applies a lot of Dalcroze Eurhythmics and the
Suzuki method to her teaching, especially with children, and students also are taught to
improvise freely from the very first lesson. In addition, Liz encourages interested
students to compose something themselves for each week (beginning with very short
fragments and gradually getting more complex in step with growing technique) because
of the essential connection between reading, playing, and writing music.
Violin, viola, and cello beginner classes are held in 10-week sessions. They are open
to all ages including adults; those under 10 need a parent or guardian present for the
duration of the first class, and those under 6 need a parent or guardian to attend every
class. Students with musical background of any kind are welcome, but no prior musical
experience is expected. Classes are small, dynamic, and fun, with an emphasis on
musicality, note-reading, and technique to get beginners started on the right foot.
Graduates of the beginner classes are encouraged to continue, either with private
lessons or by arranging a semi-private lesson with one or more of their classmates from
the beginner class. Graduates are also eligible to join the orchestra, described below.
String Orchestra is held at a location in North-East Santa Rosa near Hidden Valley
Elementary School. While the group meets weekly, students have the option to register
for every other week instead. The ensemble is geared toward middle to high schoolers,
but older and younger students are welcome to join as well. Because all music is written
or arranged specifically for the participants, a variety of levels from beginner to advanced
are able to play together. The students are encouraged to suggest pieces to play from
any genre, and improvisation, composition, music theory, Dalcroze Eurythmics, and
conducting are all included in the curriculum. Please visit the orchestra page (link on the
left) for more information and to download an enrollment packet.
All students are invited to group classes throughout the year to get to know and support
one another and gain performing experience. These classes are free of charge and
students are expected to attend as many as their schedules allow. Typical class topics
include solo performance practice, ensemble playing, composition, improvisation,
problem-solving and peer teaching. Periodically, guest artists are invited to coach at
master classes, addressing a wide variety of playing and/or composing techniques.
Additionally, students are facilitated in playing small ensembles together, either with
regular coaching sessions at Liz's studio or on their own by arrangement. And all
students participate in the Composing Strings Concert each spring!
KnightLizard Music
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Violin, Viola, and Cello Lessons
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| *All violin and cello sizes are European sizes, not Suzuki sizes. ~To determine arm length, hold left arm out 90 degrees from body, palm up, and measure from neck (on same side as left arm) to center of palm. |
Instrument Sizing Guide:
Past Guest Artists:
 | Shar Music | |
| Southwest Strings | |
| Sheet Music Plus | |
| Johnson Strings | |
| String ID Search Guide | |
| Hand and Wrist Exercises | |
| violinist & violist Erin Caplan | |
| cellist Nick Upton | |
| cellist Rachel Arnold | |
| cellist & composer Tom Kraines | |
| composer Melissa Carubia | |
| composer John Morrison | |
| Dalcroze Eurythmics instructor | |
| Jessica Schaeffer |
Useful Web Links: