For 2022, studio fees are at a flat rate of $80/h. I don’t believe in charging beginners less, or advanced learners more. Every learning level poses its own unique set of challenges, and this is further compounded by each student’s goals, aspirations, physical/mental aptitude and attitude. With that in mind, it is illogical to think that the beginning foundations of violin should be cheaper or easier to teach than more advanced techniques.
Music is at the core of what it means to be human – the sounds of human bodies and minds moving to create beautiful and unique stories. Nobody is too old or too young to learn music. My ultimate goal is to equip students with solid skills and performance technique, sound music theory knowledge, and a curiosity and love of music.
The most important thing that new students need to achieve is music literacy. While the ability to read notes may be tricky to master at first and seem to slow down one’s progress, nothing could be further from the truth. The ability to read and comprehend music provides a tremendous benefit in the long term, allowing literate students to improve faster and be able to relax and enjoy playing music. It is just like learning a language – the ability to read is just as important as the ability to speak it.
Apart from literacy, proper violin technique, bow hold and posture is of paramount importance. I help students in establishing strong and fluid fingers and joints that work together to produce a beautiful tone. There is an emphasis on fun and musically rich pieces ranging from classical to pop music, which will deal with various types of bow strokes, left hand and bow accuracy as well learning to control the instrument in a refined and focused manner. Beginner method books I use include the Oxford Fiddle Time Series, Eta Cohen’s Violin Method Books, Sassmannshaus Early Start on the Violin and Suzuki series.
Mary-Anne received her Bachelor of Music with High Distinction from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where she studied with Russian-American violinist Professor Mikhail Kopelman. She was also a full scholarship student at the prestigious Music Academy of the West Festival in Santa Barbara under the tutelage of the late Professor Zvi Zeitlin, a notable Russian violin pedagogue.
Mary-Anne achieved distinctions in the Licentiate diplomas of both the Royal Schools of Music as well as Trinity College London, and has been the recipient of numerous violin awards, including the Lee Poh See Foundation Award, and took the 3rd prize in the National Piano and Violin Competition in Singapore, and 2nd prize in the DynamicWorkz Violin Competition.
Mary-Anne has had extensive solo, orchestral and chamber music experience. Notable highlights include performing in the Singapore Lyric Opera, touring Italy with the Singapore National Youth Orchestra, the Eastman Philhamonia, as well as given performances as a piano trio in art galleries and museums in Rochester, NY and Santa Barbara, California. Mary-Anne also gives classical, pop and tango performances in locations across Sydney in both public and private venues,
Apart from maintaining her own private studio, Mary-Anne has also tutored school string ensembles, including the Anglo-Chinese School Independent String Ensemble and CHIJ St Nicholas Girls School String Ensemble in Singapore, as well as a casual piano accompanist at the Sydney Grammar Preparatory School St Ives.
Working With Children Check WWC1185108E Expiry 06/03/2027