It is my belief that every individual has the potential and propensity for musical development. It is my wish to help as many students as possible to realise this potential, and guiding them as they strive for musical excellence and an alternative voice for self-expression. Most importantly, it is my hope that the musical knowledge and experience imparted through my lessons would have far-reaching benefits for my students, even in other aspects of their lives.
Pedagogical Success
100% of my students in my teaching studio have scored either Merit or Distinction in their ABRSM violin examinations.
Click for [2023 ABRSM RESULTS]- Performance Grades
Click for [2021 ABRSM RESULTS] – Performance Grades
Click for [2019 ABRSM RESULTS]
Performances
Students are given the opportunity to perform solo and in an ensemble during the studio’s yearly concert. An annual fiesta with specially curated concert programming, every concert ensures a memorable experience for students and their invited guests.
Click for [2023 9th Annual Concert]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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THE PHILOSOPHY
The 3 Es behind the Philosophy
Exclusive Mentorship
Individual time with the student ensures exclusivity. With undivided attention (vs. a group class scenario), most students enjoy a faster rate of improvement.
Effective time management: Less time would be spent on a concept if it is easily grasped and absorbed. Likewise, more time can be spent addressing and eradicating specific problems encountered by the student. The rate of progress is really dependent on the individual student.
Methods of instruction for individual students are customised through a combination of different materials and teaching styles.
Individual Performance Objectives (IPOs) are meticulously set and practising habits are carefully cultivated for every student, taking into consideration the student’s temperament, practice environment and existing schedule.
Effective Education
1. Physical Aspect
A solid foundation is built: The establishment of an excellent violin playing posture and emphasis on correct muscle usage, eradicates any form of excessive tension while playing the violin.
Without immediate rectification, excessive tension could result in: Tendonitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI), Arthritis and other muscle-related injuries.
2.Mental Aspect
Mental Discipline is inculcated through exercises promoting heightened concentration spans.
Motivational tools are employed to ensure that the student is constantly driven to achieve technical and musical refinement.
Students are prepared physically and psychologically for optimum performance in auditions, recitals, concerts and violin examinations.
3. Musical and Technique Training
Students are trained in note reading from the beginner stages. This effectively circumvents problems encountered by many students who have phobias of Sight Reading (a mandatory component in the ABRSM violin exam).
Cultivation of critical listening skills for good tone production (ie: no squeaky sounds!) and pitch sensitivity.
Enjoyment of Music
Vast exposure to a wide-ranging repertoire (My sympathies lie with students who only learn 3 pieces a year for their violin exams and I will not condone this practice for my own students).
The ability to play the violin with ease and effortless mobility also directly contributes to self-motivation and musical enjoyment.
Students are constantly encouraged and motivated to explore different sounds, expressions and genres of music.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For Parents
1. I would like my child to take violin lessons with you. What is the “right age” to start violin lessons for my child?
I am currently only accepting students with existing violin background.
I take in students from 4 years and above.
Younger students with existing violin background would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Your child would be required to have a reasonably developed cognitive and physical ability to understand and follow instructions.
2. My child already has background in violin and would like to switch over to you. Would that be possible?
Yes of course! In my years of teaching, I have noted the common phenomenon for parents to switch over their child when there is “stagnancy” in the child’s progress. What usually lies at the core of this problem: a weak foundation resulting in difficulty managing the more advanced pieces, or in some cases, communication problems with the teacher.
All transfer students are required to come for an informal assessment before being accepted into my violin studio.
3. Where are lessons conducted? How long is the duration of each lesson? Do you conduct group classes?
Lessons are conducted from my home, located in Choa Chu Kang (5-min walk from Choa Chu Kang MRT).
I do not do housecalls.
Each lesson is 45mins. 60min lessons are applicable for advanced levels. Lessons are conducted once a week. Special arrangements can be made for students who wish to have lessons twice a week, subject to my availability.
I only conduct individual lessons.
4. In what language do you conduct your lessons?
I am proficient in both English and Mandarin. I am able to conduct lessons in either language which your child is more comfortable with.
However, as ABRSM violin examinations are conducted in English, the child will be required to understand and speak English by the time of his first violin examination.
5. When can my child start to learn the first song? Will my child be able to play a song by the 1st lesson?
The average time taken for a student to learn the first song is by the 3rd lesson or when the child has shown the ability to hold the violin and bow, comfortably and confidently. It takes a while for the child, or even an adult, in fact, to get acquainted with having a foreign object on the shoulder and to hold it for an extended period of time. Practice is essential to the development of muscle memory.
6. I want my child to take violin lessons but I have zero knowledge of music. Would that hinder my child’s progress?
Not at all! My parents did not have knowledge of music, but they sat in for my lessons and helped to take notes. They would also watch over me when I was practising to reinforce the teaching points. Parental supervision and active involvement in the child’s practice sessions, are key contributing factors to a child’s musical progress.
7. I just want my child to learn an instrument for fun. What is this thing about practising that you keep harping on?
Practice is crucial in a child’s musical development. As I will be providing Exclusive Mentorship to your child in the individual lesson, I can tell immediately if your child has been practising regularly and correctly. While the beginning stages might prove trying for everyone involved in the child’s learning experience, it promotes self-discipline and self-motivation from a young age.
Once the child gets used to the notion of practising, the progress curve immediately becomes steep and the child starts to enjoy the music being created by his or her own hands. That’s when the fun really begins!
8. Do you teach the Suzuki method?
Every individual is unique in both mind and body, and I am a strong advocate of providing a well-rounded education for each and every one of my students. While the Suzuki method has its merits (such as ear training and observational learning), optimum results can only be achieved through the combination of different methodologies which best suits each individual.
9. Do you teach music theory?
I teach the basics required for violin playing, at no extra cost. However, theory lessons are essential for intermediate through advanced levels. I will usually recommend students to start theory lessons when I find that they have grown more comfortable with the violin and are ready to move on to higher levels.
10. Any other pre-requisites?
A serious and earnest learning attitude towards lessons, as well as good manners.
11. What if I need to cancel class?
For changes to the class timing, notice would have to be given 48hrs in advance. For notice given less than 48hrs in advance of the scheduled class time, there will be no replacement class or fee refund. If your child is sick on the day of lesson and unable to attend class, a replacement class will only be given if a medical certificate is produced on the following lesson. Photocopies / soft copies of the medical certificate would be accepted. Failure to produce a medical certificate would be treated as a case of last-minute cancellation.
12. What is the fee structure?
Fees are payable on the first lesson of each month, on a per-lesson basis. i.e.: If there are 5 weeks in that month, you would pay for 5 lessons.
For Adult Students
1. Am I too old to start violin lessons with you?
Age is not a factor. While it is normal to experience a lack of dexterity in fingers and joints, this is something that can be easily rectified with due practice.
Before you start violin lessons, however, it is important to think about whether you can dedicate time for daily practice. It gets easier as you become more proficient on the instrument. My oldest student is in her 50s.
Do note that I’m currently only accepting students with existing violin background.
2. I used to learn a musical instrument when I was young. Would that help?
Yes it would, if you already have an existing knowledge of note-reading, pitch sensitivity and a good sense of rhythm.
3. I want to learn a song for my wedding/ my friend’s wedding. How long would that take?
I only take in students who are serious about learning the violin on a long-term basis.
4. Where are lessons conducted? How long is the duration of each lesson? Do you conduct group classes?
Lessons are conducted from my home, located in Choa Chu Kang (5-min walk from Choa Chu Kang MRT).
I do not do housecalls.
Each lesson is 45mins. 60min lessons are applicable for advanced levels. Lessons are conducted once a week. Special arrangements can be made for students who wish to have lessons twice a week, subject to my availability.
I only conduct individual lessons.
5. What if I need to cancel class?
For changes to the class timing, notice would have to be given 48hrs in advance. For notice given less than 48hrs in advance of the scheduled class time, there will be no replacement class or fee refund. If you are sick on the day of lesson and unable to attend class, a replacement class will only be given if a medical certificate is produced on the following lesson. Photocopies/ soft copies of the medical certificate would be accepted. Failure to produce a medical certificate would be treated as a case of last-minute cancellation.
6. What is the fee structure?
Fees are payable on the first lesson of each month, on a per-lesson basis. i.e.: If there are 5 weeks in that month, you would pay for 5 lessons.