Heidi Castleman, Viola Professor, the Juilliard School
Music can enrich every life: that is the basic philosophy with which I approach teaching. Playing an instrument can lead to greater emotional and physical awareness, and the mental challenges posed by study of music can improve memory and problem solving skills needed in all areas of life. I am also convinced that a player needs to be at ease physically in order to perform at their optimum level on the instrument, which is why every student is approached on a highly individual basis, and each student receives instruction and exercises customized specifically for them.
Throughout history there were numerous books written about violin and viola technique, and a number of different approaches have dominated during various times. While there is a wealth of practical and historical information to be learned from these works, the precise physical setup of every one of these systems does not always work for every person. Differences in size, flexibility, and strength must be taken into account when developing playing technique. These and other factors are always taken into account when a student begins to work with me. In addition to the obvious physical traits, student's many abilities and tendencies are noted, worked on and developed at all times through combination learning.
Key to combination learning is to work on several facets of musical and individual development at the same time. While the main focus remains the study of violin or viola, additional areas of focus, such as ear training, music theory, music history, composition, folk violin and performance psychology are covered on a consistent basis. Lessons take place in a friendly supportive atmosphere, with latest state of the art equipment on hand to help students learn more about music and ultimately themselves.
Music education can benefit every child! It leads to improvement in cognitive and physical aspects of a child’s development, as well as providing a youngster with emotional outlet. There are marked improvements in hand/eye coordination, and greater awareness of balance and physical stability. Many parents struggle with the question of talent: does my child have a gift for playing a musical instrument. The answer is playing a musical instrument is a gift in and of itself. Will your child enjoy music and benefit from studying music is the most important question, and if the start of their studies is carefully organized, the answer will be a resounding yes!