Violin Viola Cello Bass

Private Lessons for Beginners through College-Level Preparation

Our violin and viola curriculum combines several of today's leading string pedagogy approaches, drawing on the strengths of each to provide students with a comprehensive and balanced musical education.

Mimi Zweig String Pedagogy

The Mimi Zweig String Pedagogy program synthesizes the teachings of several of the twentieth century's greatest violin pedagogues into one coherent and highly effective system. Students develop secure fingerboard navigation through systematic shifting, disciplined bow technique, and a carefully structured technical progression. Every technical exercise serves the larger goal of producing a beautiful tone and expressive musical playing.

A cornerstone of Zweig's philosophy is a completely non-judgmental learning environment where mistakes are viewed simply as information. Students learn most effectively when they feel safe to experiment, make mistakes, and discover solutions through thoughtful guidance rather than criticism.

About Mimi Zweig

Mimi Zweig spent nearly her entire professional career at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she taught alongside renowned violin professor Josef Gingold, one of the world's most respected violin pedagogues.

Our teachers have completed Mimi Zweig's online professional training program, which includes extensive lesson demonstrations and teaching videos that allow educators to observe both teaching interactions and the physical aspects of violin playing. In addition, our teachers have participated in Zweig's in-person Summer String Pedagogy Retreat at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Learn more about Mimi Zweig String Pedagogy: https://www.stringpedagogy.com/

Shinichi Suzuki Method

The Suzuki repertoire provides a carefully sequenced foundation through Books 1–3. Musical and technical skills are introduced progressively, with each new concept building naturally upon previously mastered skills.

About Dr. Shinichi Suzuki

Dr. Suzuki's vision extended far beyond training professional musicians. His guiding principle was "Character first, ability second." He believed that music is a powerful means of developing kind, sensitive, disciplined, and capable human beings.

Paul Rolland Pedagogy

Paul Rolland's teaching emphasizes a comfortable physical setup, balanced posture, freedom of movement, and efficient technique. Early instruction focuses on healthy body alignment, a balanced violin position, relaxed arms and hands, and natural, coordinated movement of both the bow and left hand.

About Paul Rolland

Paul Rolland was a violinist, violist, researcher, and one of the twentieth century's most influential string pedagogues. His central question was:

"How can we teach every child to play with natural, efficient movement from the very beginning?"

His research demonstrated that healthy movement leads to reliable technique, which in turn allows for expressive and artistic music-making.

A Well-Rounded Musical Education

In addition to technical instruction, lessons include:

· Classical and supplementary repertoire

· Interval ear training and movable-do solfège

· Music reading from the very beginning

· Music theory

· Artistry and musical expression

· Improvisation

· Composition

· History and the study of composers

· Exploration of a wide variety of musical styles

Students can become frustrated when the gap between their playing ability and music-reading skills grows too large. For this reason, we integrate music reading from the earliest stages of instruction so that students develop strong reading skills alongside technical proficiency.

Weekly Group Performance Class

An important component of the Evergreen Conservatory Strings Program is our Weekly Group Performance Class, offered complimentary with private lessons. (See our Group Class Schedule.)

Group classes complement private instruction by giving students the opportunity to reinforce technical skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of making music together in a supportive environment.

Students benefit from:

· Creative learning through games, movement, and repetition that develop healthy practice habits, strengthen memorization skills, and keep students engaged.

· Early integration of music reading, music theory, and ensemble playing, ensuring well-rounded musical development from the very beginning.

· Strings Choir, where students learn to perform as a section, developing the listening, timing, and teamwork essential for orchestral playing.

· Regular solo performance opportunities with piano accompaniment, allowing students to gain confidence performing before their peers in a positive and encouraging setting.

Core Curricular Components

The Evergreen Conservatory Strings Curriculum follows a carefully sequenced course of study that develops technical proficiency, musical understanding, and artistic expression. Students progress through a comprehensive curriculum that aligns with the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Certificate Advancement Program. (See ASTA Curriculum.)

Beginner Level (ASTA Levels 1–3)

At the beginner level, students establish a strong technical and musical foundation through sequential instruction in note reading, rhythm, tone production, posture, and basic violin or viola technique.

Technical Studies (Etudes & Skills)

· I Can Read Music

· Fingerboard Geography

· Viva Vibrato

· Fun with Positions

Repertoire

· Carefully sequenced solo repertoire that reinforces newly acquired technical and musical skills while fostering expressive playing.

Intermediate Level (ASTA Levels 4–7)

As students progress, they expand their technical abilities through more advanced bow strokes, shifting, vibrato, double stops, and increasingly sophisticated musical interpretation.

Technical Studies (Etudes & Skills)

· Schradieck Technical Studies

· Wohlfahrt Etudes

· Melodious Double Stops by Josephine Trott

· Whistler Introducing the Positions (Shifting Studies)

Repertoire

· Solo works, sonatas, concertos, and ensemble literature selected to support each student's individual development and artistic goals.

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Advanced Level (ASTA Levels 8–10)

Advanced students refine virtuoso technique while developing mature musical interpretation and preparing for college auditions, youth orchestras, competitions, and solo performance.

Technical Studies (Etudes & Skills)

· Ševčík Op. 8

· Dounis Daily Studies

· Preparing for Kreutzer

· Kreutzer 42 Studies

· Carl Flesch Scale System

Repertoire

· Major concertos, sonatas, unaccompanied works, and advanced orchestral excerpts appropriate for the student's level and aspirations.

Audition & Competition Opportunities:

ASTA Certificate Advancement Program (CAP) – String Audition

· Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026

· Location: Metropolitan State University of Denver, King Center 855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO 80204

· Application Deadline: March 3, 2026

· Registration Fee: $35–$55 (depending on level) · Registration: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/colorado-asta-cap-registration

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Colorado All-State Orchestra Auditions

· Format: Online audio recordings (MP3 files only)

· Submission Opens: October 1, 2026

· Submission Deadline: November 13, 2026, by 5:00 PM

· Audition Fee: $35 · Information: https://www.coloradoallstateorchestra.org/students

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Carnegie Hall National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA)

For outstanding instrumentalists ages 16–19, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America offers intensive summer training with world-renowned faculty and guest artists.

· Application Deadline: December 3, 2026

· Application Fee: $30 · Information: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Programs/National-Youth-Ensembles/NYO-USA/Apply/Orchestra

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ABRSM Examinations

Evergreen Conservatory is proud to support students preparing for ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) graded exams — the internationally recognized benchmark for music achievement, taken by candidates in over 90 countries. It is widely recognized by colleges, conservatories, and performing-arts high schools, and success in ABRSM exams is often considered for college credits. 

Private Lessons for Beginners through College-Level Preparation

We use Essential Elements, Suzuki books 1 – 3 and Susan Moses Cello Pedagogy

Susan Moses' cello pedagogy is a natural extension of the pedagogical principles developed by Mimi Zweig at the Indiana University String Academy, but it is carefully adapted to the unique technical and musical demands of the cello.

Beautiful Tone Comes First

· Is the sound ringing? Is the bow producing the fullest resonance?

· Does the student recognize beautiful tone?

This emphasis develops the student's ear alongside technical skill.

Natural Body Movement and Bow Hold

Early instruction emphasizes:

· proper chair height and sitting balance,

· correct cello sizing,

· stable endpin and rock stop placement,

· freedom of the shoulders and arms,

· balanced use of body weight rather than muscular tension.

Instead of "holding" positions rigidly, students learn coordinated movement that makes playing efficient and comfortable.

Technique Always Serves Musical Expression Teaching the Artist from the Beginning

· phrasing,

· direction,

· color,

· character,

· expressive intent.

Cello lessons therefore include:

· musical imagination,

· expressive playing,

· historical understanding,

· stylistic awareness, alongside technical development.

Upright Bass

We use F. Rabbath’s Progressive Repertoire for the Double Bass. The student will be taught how to hold the instrument correctly, how to hold the bow, different styles of pizzicato, different names for the parts of the instrument, how to tune, how to produce a good tone, and much more. We incorporate improvisational, music theory and basics of music harmony. 

Electric Bass

We use Roger Filiberto‘s Electric Bass Method

The most widely-used introductory bass method available! Both Volumes I and II present a standard notation approach to reading solo and arpeggio studies for four string bass. Included in Volume I are the rudiments of playing, plus handy charts of arpeggios featuring major, minor, augmented, diminished, and seventh chords, plus upper harmonic extensions. 

Volume II continues with studies, scales, walking bass patterns, and more. Presents note reading, solo playing, and chord arpeggio studies. Included are handy charts of arpeggios featuring major, minor, augmented, diminished, seventh chords, and even upper harmonic extensions. 

 Applicable to any style of music, this method has gained acceptance as the foundational text for electric bass study world-wide.

We partner with Luther String for all rental and repair needs.

Luther Strings (LutherStrings.com) is your first and last stop for everything violin, viola, cello, and bass.

• Flexible rent and rent-to-own programs for all sizes.
• Proudly serving the absolute beginner to professional artists.
• Free quotes and consultations.
• Accepts both walk-ins and appointments.
• Professional in-house repairs and bow rehairs.
• Expert and friendly staff.
• Shipping and delivery services.
• Please contact us at info@lutherstrings.com or call 720-510-3184, more information at LutherStrings.com.