Here you can find information on taking private violin lessons. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to find out about pricing, please
contact me for more information.
Lesson Style
Lessons begin at around 30 minutes per week. Lessons are generally held at my studio in Cleveland, Ohio, though arrangements can be made to hold the lessons at the student's house. For required materials, the student needs to acquire a violin, bow, and a case, along with rosin, extra strings, etc. The student is also responsible for getting the appropriate music, or alternatively, may pay book fees, and the music will be provided for the student. If lessons are held at the student's house, then a music stand will also be required. Everything else, such as teaching aids, etc. will be provided for.
Repertoire
For beginners, I mostly focus on teaching the Suzuki Method. I also like to add in Etudes and scales, starting with Wohlfahrt and Schradieck. For more advanced students I work closely with them to come up with a personalized repertoire lesson plan. Bach is essential for intermediate and higher students, and will be included in every student's instruction. However, I encourage students to find pieces they would like to play and present them during the lessons for consideration.
Genres
All lessons are mainly focused on classical music. While I teach mainly classical music, I encourage students to try other types of music, such as jazz or improv, hymns, fiddle music, or pretty much anything that the student wishes to try. I teach classical music first to students to give them a strong technical background. Once that is accomplished, then any learning any other type or genre of music becomes a lot easier. It is mostly a matter of learning the small nuances of each style.
Types of Lessons
Every student will get private one-on-one lessons each week, but additionally, I offer students the option of taking music theory lessons as well. And often, especially during the summer, group lessons and master classes are offered to current students. I try and keep each student as well-rounded as possible.
Teaching Biography
View Julian Taylor's artistic biography here.
Julian has been an active and successful violin teacher for over 7 years, with students from the ages of 4 to 56. He has taught not only private violin lessons to many students, but has also taught in masterclasses, been on the faculty of music festivals and camps, and has coached many various ensembles and chamber groups. His students speak highly of him in maintaining a good attitude throughout lessons as well as his ability to explain in detail the finer aspects and techniques of the violin. In addition, he teaches every student to learn the 'language' of music, not just the technique, but to learn music as a medium to express what words cannot — heroic stories, deep emotions of the heart, or pure joy and happiness.
Mr. Taylor's technique is based mostly on Galamian-style technique, based on perhaps the greatest and most influential violin teacher of the twentieth century, Ivan Galamian (1903—1981). Galamian was well known for his incredible devotion to teaching and his students, as well as a solid technical approach to the violin, incorporating aspects of both Russian and French style violin playing. He had many extraordinary and succesful pupils such as Michael Rabin, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zuckerman, and Jamie Laredo. Two of Julian's own violin teachers, Jan Mark Sloman and David Cerone, were also Galamian students, making Mr. Taylor part of the third generation of the 'Galamian lineage.'
In addition to providing private one-on-one lessons every week with his students, Julian likes to give the opportunity for his students to perform, play for other students, and to learn some music theory and history. One cannot get everything out of music and the violin without learning how music works (theory), where it came from (history), and how to express yourself through music to others (performing). And while every beginning student begins their studies in the Suzuki method, Mr. Taylor encourages his students to explore other kinds of music and is always open to requests from his students to learn different pieces. It is Julian's greatest wish in teaching to pass on the gift and language of music, and through music, to eventually explore the deep and profound truths of life.