Classes & Levels
If you wish to know if any class may be a good fit for you, feel free to write and describe your experience, From there, we'll schedule a free consultation so we can see where you're at with your violin playing. You may also visit any class to see how it is going to be. Please don't be shy, classes are fun, imaginative, and you will learn to play with great classmates!
Our adult classes are open to students 13 years of age and older.
Our skills series (the first 4 years of learning) includes classes in this progression below. If you wish to know if any of our classes might be a good fit for you, feel free to write and please describe your experience, and/or mention the pieces you last remember playing.
You do not need to wait for the beginning of a session to join a class. If there's a class that might be a good fit for you, you may join in at any time. When joining after a session has started, tuition would be pro-rated to be only the classes remaining in the series.
If you would like to visit (or participate in) a class to see what it is like, please be in touch!
First Year: Beginner Violin 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f
Second Year: Violin 2a-2e
Third Year: Violin 3a-3e
Fourth Year: Violin 4a-4e
Fifth Year and Above: Violin Ensemble
It is recommended that students with 3-4+ years of experience augment group classes with additional private lessons.
Advice on purchasing a violin.
About Your Teacher
Over the years, I've been delighted to help people make violin and viola playing a part of their lives. I've been teaching for over 30 years in Seattle, and Olympia, Washington, Eugene, Oregon, New York City, and Windham, Maine. While in Eugene I taught for the 4J School District as an orchestra director, and conducted sectionals, and auditions, for the Eugene Youth Symphony. I've taught at the Suzuki Institute of Seattle, Tacoma Youth Symphony Music Camp, and been director of the Thalia Olympic Music Camp, and Seabeck Music Camp.
I have built a school that offers music education for not only children, but also for adults. This school has various programs for all stages in one's musical development, and it is such a school that says: "It is never too late to start. It is never too late to experience, and express through music."
It is my belief that the arts are interrelated and when given an insights into music making, these insights can lend a fresh approach to other processes. Playing an instrument is not merely learning technique, or reproduction of pieces, it can be a diving board for an exciting journey into self discovery through the world of the arts: composers, musicians, dance, theater, visual art and literature. I hope to pass this feeling of inter-relatedness on to my students and to give my students something to take home in their hearts.
It gives me great joy see students discover, and grow.
Ed Davis
Meeting Place
In-person group classes will be meeting in one of a few locations, Windham, Westbrook, or Portland, ME. Please see course descriptions to learn more. The location of our class will either be below with the enrollment information, or will be sent to you via email after you enroll in the Windham course (please allow 1-2 business days for this info to arrive.)
If you would like to have an optional private lesson added to your course, this lesson can either be in-person in Windham, or online via Zoom.
FAQs
Do I need to know how to read music to take this class?
First year classes will focus on reading and some basic music theory. Advanced classes will address reading issues as applied to each piece that is studied.
How long are the lessons and how many students are there in class?
Classes meet once a week for 1 or 2 months and classes are either 1 hour, or 1.5 hours in length (details are in each class description below.) We may be taking a 5 minute break sometime during a longer lesson. Class will be limited to no more than 9 participants in Portland and Westbrook, and at Windham Middle School. In North Windham, class will be limited to 5 students.
I've been playing for some time and wish to join a class with experience, what should I do?
Please be in touch to schedule a free informal listening and consultation. Prepare a minute of any piece you like to play, this will help in finding out which class might be best for you - and don't worry if you're feeling rusty, your piece doesn't need to be perfect!
Please write to arrange for a time.
Work sometimes will keep me late, what if I have to miss class?
Students who miss class are encouraged to
schedule a make-up lesson to stay current with the class. Lessons outside of class are a great way to make up for a missed class, or to have extra help.
After this class, will I be able to continue where I left off?
Yes! If there is interest, ongoing classes will be offered following any class, however it may be at a different time, and location.
If I join a class that has already started, what will my tuition be?
Please ask: tuition would be pro-rated so that you would only pay for remaining classes in a session.
Most of the class schedules I see are in the future, how can I join now?
Aside from holidays, classes are almost always in session—however classes that are currently in progress may not be listed in the schedules below.
Please inquire for more information.
