Suzuki Violin Lessons in Atwater Village

I’m so excited to offer this course again in the spring. I had so much fun teaching it, and the kiddos are incredibly passionate about an art form that lights me up so much ❤️ please spread the word! 

I’m so excited to offer this class in a few weeks - flamenco is such a great way to learn dance, music, and to gain appreciation for a fascinating culture. Spots remain, please join us!

Oldie but a goodie. Still not a great speaker, but I think these are some important points. Please enjoy!

YOLA National at Home - Shifting for a Pandemic Tune in for a conversation with four YOLA teaching artists who have taken a unique and creative approach to working with young musicians and families amidst ...

During the pandemic, I presented a lecture about body awareness and music making - I’ll need to dig it up, still pertinent!

Cicely Nelson | LA Phil Cicely Nelson, , Los Angeles Philharmonic

You may recognize me (as HUGE as LA is, Atwater is small:) as the owner of Atwater Pilates. I’m always struck by the similarities between Pilates and Suzuki:

- the importance of foundation: we don’t move on until we have laid a solid foundation

- “every child can” is the cornerstone of the Suzuki philosophy. Just as we meet the child where they are from there, so is mindful Pilates about meeting the body where it is.

- Pablo Casals believed that teaching children music would save the world. I believe the same about mindful movement. Disconnection comes from disembodiment - feeling both disconnected from ourselves and not owning our impact on the world around us. Movement begins to heal that rift.

I’ve been rereading (and thus sharing with you all) Ed Sprunger‘s ”Helping Parents Practice” this spring. Highly recommended!

Also a heads up that I’m offering in-home private violin lessons in Atwater Village this summer. Send me a DM if you’re interested and/or have questions!

Something that Ed (Ed Sprunger “helping parents practice”) reminds the parent is to be gentle. Your little human is hungry for your approval because they rely upon you for their fundamental human needs. This is why practice time can feel fraught. He’s not saying to indiscriminately spew praise but to be cautious and temperate with criticism and to keep it impersonal (ie. “that’s a tricky rhythm!” as opposed to “wow that rhythm is hard for you!). We don’t need cocky kids, we need kids who aren’t afraid to mess up.

This is one of my all-time favorite books about teaching music. As any parent of a music student knows, getting kids to practice is HARD. But I’ve never heard an adult say “my parents made me practice and I hated it” - rather, one always hears “I really wish my parents had helped me stick with it.” This book supplies those tools. I’ll be dropping in with some of Edmund Sprunger’s pearls of wisdom over the next few weeks.

Hi Atwater Village!

My name is Cicely and I am a Suzuki-certified violin teacher. I have some availability to take on afternoon violin students in the neighborhood.

I have masters’ degrees in both Violin and Viola performance and my Suzuki certification from the School for Strings in New York City. I have taught in Los Angeles for the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and for Elemental music in Santa Monica and I have played with the Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra and the San Bernardino Symphony.

I have an infant, so I’m offering 45-minute lessons at the discounted rate of $50 as my daughter must be present. It’s been working well so far.

Finally, if I look familiar, it’s also because I am the owner and operator of Atwater Pilates:)

Please do reach out if you are interested or have any questions!