Teaching Background

Beginning with my parents, both excellent musicians and extraordinary teachers, and continuing with my primary childhood teachers Jean Soroka, violin, Marcia Spitz, piano, and then Janée Munroe in the Pre College Division of the Juilliard School, I was so fortunate to have been given a wonderful and rich musical foundation. In college, Karen Tuttle saved my life and rocked my world (I am not even exaggerating!) and in graduate school Kim Kashkashian helped me continue the exploration I had begun with our mutual teacher, providing me with brilliant musical and technical guidance. I can of course never repay my mentors for their incredible expertise, generosity, and love, but Karen Tuttle told me that I could help by paying it forward to subsequent generations, so I humbly strive to do so with all the wonderful students I encounter.

I began teaching at the college level in 1993, as the assistant to Karen Tuttle at Juilliard, while simultaneously completing my master’s degree. My first full time teaching appointment began in 1996 at the Hochschule für Musik “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin, Germany, where I was both the assistant to Kim Kashkashian and in charge of my own studio.  I returned to the United States in 2001 and since then have held full professorships at the Eastman School of Music (2008-2017), New England Conservatory (2002-2009), and Arizona State University (2001-2002). In 2017, I was appointed to the viola and chamber music faculty at the Juilliard School, where I teach a full studio of violists and coach chamber music.  I also teach master classes and summer courses both in the United States and internationally, at both the college and pre-college levels.

If you wish to study with me full time, please feel free to apply for my studio at Juilliard: www.juilliard.edu/admissions

You may also apply to study with me at the following workshops outside of Juilliard: