Private, in-person and online violin, viola and viola da gamba lessons in Guelph and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Sheila has a studio in Guelph and at the Toronto School for Strings and Piano.
Sheila is a professionally-trained performer and teacher who is passionate about teaching. She enjoys working with people of all ages and levels. Have you, or has a child in your life, always wanted to play violin/viola? Or, you would like to get back to playing after some time away from it? If so, Sheila offers violin lessons in Guelph, and in Toronto at the Toronto School for Strings and Piano.
Anyone of any age can start playing an instrument. As an imaginative teacher, and because of her extensive professional training, Sheila has many strategies in her teaching tool box! Her teaching studio environment is nurturing, and her teaching style depends on the individual needs of every student. She finds this approach more productive and interesting than a regimented system.
Sheila’s goals are:
- to help her students develop their own musical voice
- and to give students the tools to bring their musical ideas to life.
“Sheila is an exceptional violin teacher. She relates well to students, encouraging them in their playing. Rather than relying on someone else’s method, Sheila confidently tailors her lessons to the needs of the student. Using subtle, non-verbal cues (such as a gentle touch to the elbow) she provides the direct, personal feedback a beginner needs to develop proper playing technique. Plus, I love how she teaches things that my child is not even aware of learning such as how to practice and how to play musically.”
— H.M.’s mother
Sheila teaches violin, viola, and viola da gamba
All the instruments of the bowed-string family have an important role to play in amateur music-making. They are the highlight of community orchestras, chamber music groups, music camps, and workshops. These instruments are rewarding for players of all ages, from early childhood all the way to the golden years.
The violin is the smallest and highest-pitched member of the bowed-string family of instruments. It has a sparkling and vibrant sound. The violin is one of the most versatile instruments stylistically. It has an inexhaustible repertoire of solo music, chamber music, jazz tunes, and fiddle music. Because of this, in a typical symphony orchestra, there are more violins than any other instrument.
The viola is the middle voice of the bowed-string instruments, between the violin and cello in size and range. So, it’s a little larger than the violin, with a range that is deeper in pitch than the violin. The lower strings emit a warm and velvety sound, while soaring melodies can be produced on the upper strings. It has a rich solo and chamber music repertoire, as well as orchestral music.
Sheila also teaches the treble viola da gamba and the tenor viola da gamba. The viola da gamba family of instruments has a common ancestor with the guitar. It has 6 strings, frets and a flat back, but it is held with the legs and played with the bow. There is some new music being written for this family of string instruments, although most of the viola da gamba music is from the 16th and 17th centuries. A lot of the music was written for small groups. Families and friends would get together and play it for their own entertainment. Nowadays, more and more people are learning to play these instruments. Many are drawn to the beauty of this music and the social pleasure of playing with others in small groups.
“Sheila has been our regular violin/viola coach for ten years and is wonderful with our students. With her expertise and encouraging manner Sheila inspires and helps the students discover how to translate the spirit of the music into their playing.”
— K.H., Strings teacher, Rosedale Heights School of the Arts
Starting lessons with Sheila
All ages are welcome to her teaching studio! Whether you’re a young student, an adult or a senior, beginner or experienced—lessons will be enjoyable and rewarding! Learn more about lessons →
“…Thank you for being such a terrific teacher for K. Previously she found the social aspect of one-on-one lessons very overwhelming, but you really made her comfortable and able to focus on the music.”
— K.W.’s mother
♫
Interested in learning violin or viola?
