Chris R.

After graduating from Dr. Phillips High School's orchestral music magnet program as the orchestral Concert Master, I was recruited by Arthur Prano to attend Florida Southern College's new orchestral strings program in Lakeland, FL. It was an honor and pleasure to study music education and performance under Dr. Prano for four years. Afterward, in 2001, I returned to my home in Orlando, where I began to establish myself as a professional violinist and violin teacher.

In addition to learning violin in the classical mode preferred by most high school and collegiate programs, I have since been able to branch out into may different genres, including pop, Christian, and acoustic (singer/songwriter-style). Working with both classically-trained and self-taught musicians at skill levels all over the spectrum has lead me to greater levels of sensitivity over the years-a skill I frequently utilize in teaching.

I've performed with the Maitland Symphony Orchestra, Lakeland's Imperial Symphony Orchestra, in many different classical duos, trios and quartets. In the realm of popular music, I've performed with various singer-songwriters in Central Florida, the Aloma Baptist and First Baptist Worship Orchestras and country recording artist Abbie Lynn. Among my favorite experiences, however, was when I sang and played violin for an original music band named Hotel Hurry.

I've worked with a wide-variety of students over the years and in every case I can honestly say that I have learned as much as I've taught. I think every student is unique and therefore must be approached in a way that works for them. As a teacher, you cannot simply find a method you enjoy using and force every student to learn using it. You have to be willing to adapt to the student's needs to be a successful violin teacher. I'm happy to say that I borrow from many different methods in my lessons and have been known to invent new ones on the spot.