marianne danehy
MY STUDIO
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Monthly group lessons in addition to private lessons give students the opportunity to play with others, a completely different experience from playing at home alone. Students learn music theory, to play with piano accompaniment, to stay in rhythm, and to play solos for others. With lots of experience reviewing learned repertoire, students start to sound smooth and polished.
I hold 2 studio recitals per year, generally held at churches, plus some fiddle performances at various venues including the Black Rose where they play with microphones and stage lights in front of an enthusiastic audience. My studio also participates in several Pikes Peak Suzuki Music Association recitals. For young children, especially ages 4 through 10, the active participation of a parent is critical to the success of the Suzuki method. The parent acts as the home teacher and is equally as important as the teacher and the student. I teach the parent the basics of playing the violin so that they can be effective as the home coach. The parent is responsible for the home listening, and for establishing a daily practice routine for child and parent. Older children can begin to take on more responsibility for practicing independently as they enter the middle school years. For kids, tuition includes 3 private lessons and 1 group lesson per month. Group lessons are held on Saturdays. Private lessons start at ½ hour and advance to 45 minutes as students get older. Please call me for pricing and studio policy information. Most of my adult students take 45 minute private lessons with no group lessons. I have some students who focus on fiddle music, and others who enjoy a combination of classical and fiddle styles. Some choose to participate in recitals and occasional jam sessions.
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I teach a
combination of Suzuki Violin and Fiddle private lessons
in my studio. I find that the Suzuki method is amazingly
well thought out and successful for teaching good
technique and musicianship. Each piece leads to new
skills, building on previous pieces. The method is
modeled after learning language, and is based on
listening and imitation, initially. This approach brings
forth the development of good technique, good rhythm and
musical playing since students can concentrate on how
the music sounds rather than the notes on the page.
Students learn to be excellent at playing by ear.
Simultaneously, I work on music reading away from the
violin, and then bring together music reading and
playing once technique is established. Students get lots
of practice at music reading by learning fiddle tunes,
Christmas music, etc., from sheet music. 
Playing
fiddle tunes is a fun addition to playing classical
music. My husband, Charlie Hall, often will accompany my
students on guitar, bouzouki or mandolin, and they love
it!