Why we’re here.
My journey began when I asked for a violin and lessons for Christmas in 1999. I’ve never looked back since! The musical journey I have been on for the last twenty-five years of learning, performing and teaching (from beginners to advanced students, both children and adults) has inspired me to create an online space where string players and especially students can learn from each other and find solutions, resources, and a sense of community.
Look through the blog and check us out on Instagram for inspiration and discussion!
More of my story.
I had my first lessons with a Suzuki instructor back in 2000. Throughout my junior high and high school years, I had two other teachers and also played in youth orchestra. By the time I graduated from high school I was sure I wanted to continue studying music.
As I studied in college, bad habits I had formed in my earlier years of playing began to crop up. I had problems with tension, pain, and debilitating performance anxiety.
It was not until I began post-graduate studies with Eric McCracken, now retired from the the North Carolina Symphony that I set out on a personal journey to rebuild my technique and approach to playing.
After four years of researching, backtracking, and rebuilding, I finally reached a place where I felt comfortable as a violinist and musician. That journey has made me a better teacher and it is my passion to share the things I have learned with others.
I want Minnesinger.com to be a place where students and their parents can find helpful information, opinions, and discussions that might help them avoid forming bad habits as I did in my early years of playing.
Join us in your own search for solutions and share your own insights in comments and discussions.