Laurel Thomsen
Phone: 831-224-0913
Email: laurel@laurelthomsen.com
Website: http://www.laurelthomsen.com
Private Lessons On: violin, viola, fiddle
Location of Lessons: Santa Cruz and Monterey studios, and online via Skype.
Housecalls? Sometimes, contact for possibilities.
Classes/Groups: Sometimes, contact for info.
Location of Classes/Groups: Varies
Specialties: Specialties are tone, bowing, vibrato, interpretation and style, including fiddle styles, improvisation, adult and teenage students, and helping students with performance anxiety. BEGINNERS - Learn through Laurel’s systematic approach to technique, repertoire, and musicianship that will have you playing beautifully and confidently without the common squeaks and tensions that many find so disheartening about being a beginner on the violin, viola, or fiddle. Learn effective and efficient practice habits and embrace the joy and discipline a musical life has to offer. INTERMEDIATES - Develop a well rounded repertoire and skill set tailored to your musical goals and dreams. This may include Classical music, fiddle styles, the ability to improvise and play by ear, and honing skills like shifting, vibrato, and more advanced bowing techniques, such as spiccato and sautille. Take your playing beyond notes and rhythms to explore emotion, style, and contrast. ADVANCED - Learn to express technique seamlessly, master your interpretations, and hone your performance skills. Develop consistency in your playing and learn to manage your physical, mental, and emotional energy for top notch performances. Performance anxiety got you down? I have tools to help that. Don’t know where or how to share your music with the world? I can coach you to the next level of your career.
Credentials: Laurel began playing as a child back in 1991, studying with private teachers, camps, and as a college Music Performance Major in California, Italy, and Montana. She has explored further styles and approaches at workshops and courses, including The Jazz School and The Berklee School. She's been a full time professional and touring artist since 1998, and a private, group, and orchestral instructor since 1996, including work with Youth Music Monterey and Orchestra in the Schools. As reported by The New York Times, Laurel has been an innovator for online Skype music teaching, with students worldwide since 2009. She is the author of over 50 "Strings" magazine articles on technique and practice, as well as the String Letter Publishing multi-media guides "Improve Your Bowing Technique" and "Improve your Violin & Viola Technique". Laurel is the creator and host of the "Violin Geek Podcast", with a range of educational topics available free on iTunes - great way to "test drive" her teaching approach.
Year began Teaching:
Student Requirements: Dedication to daily practice, a willingness to explore, and a love for musical expression. Students are encouraged to participate in social music opportunities as soon as they have learned the basics.
Music Teachers’ Association of CA Member?
Low Income Policy? In certain situations for dedicated students
Rates: 30 min/$40; 45 min/$58; 60 min/$75
Other Services: Wedding/event music, house concerts, studio recording, arranging and composing, music writing, workshops. See website for more.
Additional Information: Available for weekly lessons, as well as occasional or short term coaching on a specific style, technique, or issue.