Lessons
Rachel Halvorson is delighted to offer in-person viola lessons, violin lessons, and chamber music coaching in the North Virginia and Washington D.C. area. She is a Suzuki registered violin and viola instructor. Since the onset of coronavirus, she has added virtual lessons to her repertoire.
Rachel is eager to continue growing her studio, and is now accepting new students of all ages and skill levels! Lessons are available in Rachel’s home studio in north Alexandria, at your home/school, or on zoom.
For more information on violin or viola private lessons, please contact me
What kind of lessons?
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Rachel’s private lesson studio is made up of violists of all ages and experience levels. She looks forward to guiding students through scales and technique exercises, solo and ensemble pieces, and any unique projects her students dream up.
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Rachel is a Suzuki certified violin instructor. She especially enjoys helping establish comfortable technique and healthy practice habits for beginning violinists.
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Rachel is offering sectionals to middle school, high school, and youth orchestra programs in the Houston area, whether it is to prepare for your next concert or work on team building and general skills.
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For all of you looking forward to the fall’s TMEA auditions and school orchestra placements - it’s never too soon to start looking at your solos and etudes together!
Teaching Mantra
Rachel’s teaching method is tailored to each student’s goals. This means working together to unlock a strong and comfortable technical basis, which will allow exploration of personal musical ideas and one’s own ‘voice’. These skills will support all students’ individual (solo), and community (chamber music, orchestral) pursuits and aspirations.
Rachel believes in the power of collaboration at all levels, and encourages her students to make music with friends and to take music into the community. She is happy to assist her students in creating and pursuing these opportunities, and will coach every step of the way.
A note to Parents
“It is necessary to be concerned about the importance of educating a really beautiful human spirit.”
Music lessons are about so much more than helping your child simply play the notes on the page better than their peers, or achieve audition success. Private lessons are an opportunity to work on skills including:
problem solving
creative thinking and imagination
focus and memory
care of an instrument and accountability
the joy that accompanies accomplishment
routine and motivation
connection to their community
building friendships through common goals
building ease with public speaking and ‘pressure’ of performance
Rachel began teaching viola and violin lessons in 2017, while completing her Masters degree. Teaching one-on-one lessons to a studio of 15 middle-school and high-school students was a huge source of inspiration, as was coaching chamber music for the Rice University’s Hammond Preparatory Program.
She has additionally worked with numerous Youth Orchestra programs, including the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio at their Summer Symphony Camp (2014, 2015, 2020), the Hill Country Youth Orchestra’s Summer Strings Camp (2014, 2015), and the Sarasota Youth Orchestra, as their viola sectionals coach from 2019-2023.
Contact us.
Rachel Halvorson
Violin and Viola Teacher in Houston
Now accepting new students, all ages and skill level!
Online and in-person lessons available