teaching

Zoe received her Suzuki training from Edward Kreitman and Charles Krigbaum. Her teaching has spanned internationally, serving as violin instructor and chamber coach at Peace Music Academy in Khon Kaen, Thailand, then teaching violin and piano for the Berrien Springs Public Schools Parent Partnership and running a private studio in Berrien Springs, Michigan. In the Los Angeles area, she has coached as a Teaching Artist for the Harmony Project's EXPO Center location. Currently, she teaches private lessons at FreshStart Music Studio in Irvine, CA, and runs a studio located at the Palos Verdes Music House in Palos Verdes, CA. 

teaching philosophy

Guided by a heart for joy and excellence, Zoe empowers students to listen conscientiously and create enthusiastically. Her pedagogy incorporates standard Suzuki training with current research on learning, motivation, and injury prevention. She believes that every child has an innate creativity and the ability to produce a beautiful sound on their instrument. Her responsibility as an educator is to nurture their inquisitiveness, inspire their artistry, and build up their skillset for both music and life. To attain this, she prioritizes trust, honesty, efficiency, clear communication, positive habits, and a safe learning environment.

With her background in psychology and music, Zoe combines both disciplines to help students learn holistically and efficiently. She implements research-based performance techniques, mindset strategies, and principles from cognitive and developmental psychology to help students succeed onstage. Drawing from both art and social science, she strives to make learning music as engaging, understandable, and fulfilling as possible. 

methods

Beyond a system of books, the Suzuki philosophy emphasizes that every child can learn to play regardless of any "inborn talent." Learning an instrument is much like learning a language: children learn their native tongue effortlessly through immersion in the language and plenty of practice. Children similarly can learn an instrument beautifully but this requires lots of listening, a safe environment, and parents/caretakers fully engaged to help the child learn and grow from mistakes. The teacher provides the knowledge and guidance for your child, and the parent/caretaker creates the enriching home environment by helping the child practice and listen to recordings. Students learn to play by ear before reading music, but teachers implement note-reading exercises early on so that students also learn to sightread proficiently. 

Interested in scheduling a lesson? Reach out here for studio policies, pricing, and availability.