I teach private one-on-one violin and viola lessons. Each student will be individually tutored in all skills needed for playing the violin or viola. This will include basic technique, posture, fingering, bowing, note-reading and basic musicianship skills. The lessons are structured with the Suzuki Violin School books, and other traditional violin pedagogy, etudes and scales. Appropriate pieces, based on students' levels, will be used as well. I use explanation and modeling to teach a topic. The student will then be coached on this technique. These lessons are fully interactive. 
Students will need a tuned violin/viola and bow.  The online platform I prefer is ZOOM.

For those students residing in the Tampa Bay area, students may come to my home in downtown St Petersburg or depending on location, I can travel to the student’s home.

PAYMENT
The first online lesson is free.
Rates:
1/2 hour: $50

1 hour: $90

Discounts are available based on lesson frequency, number of students per household, and annual lesson packages.

I accept Paypal or Venmo for online lessons. Other payment arrangements can be made as needed. In-person lessons may be paid by cash, check or Venmo.

A SPECIAL NEW STUDENT DISCOUNT is available.

I have taught individual and group violin /viola classes for many years, and continue to teach these classes now. I encourage my students to enjoy the process of developing their musical talent and skills. I emphasize intonation and musical phrasing and help students improve instrumental technique through modeling and explanation, followed by careful observation and critique.

  • Starting as an adult learner is challenging and I’d taken lessons with others before with limited progress and much frustration. Steve understands both the technical and motivational aspects of learning and has enabled me to progress with joy in playing the violin.

    Mary R.

  • We enrolled our children with him for online lessons during COVID. It has now been more than three years. He has taught them not only to play notes with precision but also to express emotions through strings. It is a joy to watch our daughters grow in confidence and skill, blossoming into young musicians under his nurturing and expert guidance.

    Kim Nguyen

  • I started learning violin from Mr Starkman when I was seven and I have studied with him for 10 years now. He is a great teacher!

    Ian Rood