About

The Alameda Violin School is dedicated to the music education of all, ages 3 on up.

Emphasis is on a fun, supportive learning environment tailored to each student’s learning style and age, with the understanding that a good experience in early music education is essential for a lifelong appreciation of music.

Beginning through advanced violin and viola, along with music fundamentals, keyboard skills, and theory, are taught in a supportive, fun environment.

We believe in lessons as a parable for incredibly valuable lifelong skills: an opportunity to learn how to learn (especially super hard stuff!), growth mindset, grit, and ways to think that aren’t limited to the concert hall.

We believe that all students benefit from the support and community of playing with other students and the experience of performing for a friendly audience.

Tuition includes 46 lessons per year, and supplements including performance opportunities and group classes.

We use student-centered pedagogy using elements of the Suzuki and traditional methods, as well as a background in motor learning and developmental psychology to tailor lesson plans to each student’s needs and development. We love all types of learners.

Because keyboards are a fantastic and tactile way to learn music fundamentals, keyboard skills are integral to every string player’s education and included in our pedagogy.

We believe strongly in the lessons being not only fun and interesting for the student, but also that lessons should serve as a good all-around foundation for whatever music the student is interested in when they are older- whether that is trumpet, guitar, professional violinist, or a music appreciator!

The studio accepts a very limited number of students so that each student can be best served. Unfortunately, our waitlist often exceeds several years. If we do not have openings in the studio, we are happy to recommend other violin and viola teachers in the area, and are also happy to place your student on a waiting list.

Here’s all the serious fine print, only in bigger print! We really love our families try to be super straight forward and fair with everything, so if you have any questions, of course just ask!

General:

Online notes are kept for every lesson and access is shared with students and/or student’s support people. If a hardcopy is preferred notebooks are provided, just don’t forget to bring it along to every lesson! They can be hard to remember, so we recommend a bag to cart it all in.

Lessons are 50 minutes in length with the last 10 minutes reserved for student transitions or parent communication if needed. We often do go for 60 minutes, but it is helpful to have the buffer if needed!

Attendance:

Absences are excused if notification is given by phone, text, or email at least 24 hours in advance. For excused absences, students are credited a makeup lesson. Unexcused absences are missed lessons with less than 24 hours advance notice, or no notice. Those absences are not made up.

Absence rules don’t count if your student is ill, or if there is a family emergency. We’ll make up your lesson! None of us learns well when we’re not feeling great!

For the benefit of the student, and except in very specific circumstances, we do not allow for prorating missed lessons, relying instead on makeup lessons if the student must miss. It is important to have regular lessons in order to avoid student frustration, aid in practice, and for steady progress.

Unfortunately, we cannot hold lesson slots for students desiring a hiatus. We do totally support that for a variety of reasons, a hiatus can be helpful and/or necessary! However we also feel it is important to allow wait-listed students a chance at a lesson slot should one become available. We will certainly work to find a lesson slot for returning students. If we are able to secure a spot, the most current tuition rate will apply.

Ugh- COVID Stuff:

Currently lessons are taking place either in person or online (or both) as requested by student/families. Students/families may choose to have lesson outside or inside, either option is supported.

Masks are optional.

We are very happy to make any additional accommodations for students and families as requested, such as (but not limited to!) online lessons, outdoor lessons, etc.

$355/month for 50 minute lessons

For students under 10 years of age (and depending on ability), we sometimes recommend 30 minute lessons, for which tuition is $225 per month. Sibling discount available.

Tuition includes 46 lessons per year, several mini-recitals, semi-regular group classes, at least one formal recital per year, and lots of support tailored to each family’s individual needs.

We prefer to never turn anyone away for financial reasons, a limited number of scholarships are dedicated to the studio.

There is an on-site cache of student violins available for renting (and rent-to-own).

Tuition:

There is a “mail box” for payments brought to lesson located inside the entryway, on the wall.

Tuition is due on the first lesson of each month. Please bring to lesson (credit card, check, or cash), pay via the website, venmo, zelle, paypal, or mail to:

Alameda Violin

547 Pacific Ave

Alameda Ca 94501

Auto-pay is available through the invoicing system

Tuition invoices are automatically sent out monthly for your convenience. Late payments can result in student suspension from lessons unless prior arrangements are made. This is completely last resort- we try our best to work with families and can usually accommodate a variety of circumstances with communication! We cannot schedule makeup lessons for families with tuition overdue more than a month.

A $10 late fee is charged to tuition that is more than two weeks late.