I began teaching when...

About 20 years ago when I was a senior in high school, a younger sibling of a friend of mine had began taking viola through her public school music program just as I began viola. It was through this initial opportunity, that I discovered my passion for education and inspiring the minds of my students. 

From that point, I began teaching at a local music store on Long Island, NY while I was completing my Undergraduate degree in Viola Performance from S.U.N.Y Stony Brook University. From one student to a busy studio of about 25 students teaching viola, violin and beginner to intermediate piano, I established my first private teaching studio.

After relocating to Boston in 2008 to pursue a Masters degree and Graduate Performance Diploma in Viola Performance with Emphasis in String Pedagogy, I once again built up a private studio through local music schools and word of mouth. Over time, my small studio in a new city grew to about 30 private students.

Now in 2024, I have about 20 years of experience teaching beginners to advanced strings, as well as conducting string orchestra and small chamber ensembles. Due to the “silver-lining" of skills educators and professional musicians developed in 2020, I have evolved with the times and have acquired music editing and necessary video production skills. I have experience with the program SmartMusic and Adobe Premiere Pro and I believe that these new tools I utilize, allow my students to collaborate safely, while also gaining musical skills that older students or professional recording artists use regularly. 

My TEACHING PHILOSOPHY;

Revolves around mentoring and inspiring my students to appreciate music as much as I do, while helping them achieve tangible goals. “This is my WHY.” As a result, my students learn to practice productively while developing their creativity and critical thinking skills. Therefore, lifelong learning can lead to joyful and rewarding artistry. My teaching influences are a combination of my past teachers’ expertise and the classic method books I grew up with, such as the Suzuki method, Faber and Alfred piano premier course, Samuel Applebaum series, Strictly Strings, Essential Elements, Carl Flesch Scale System just to name a few. I am continuously on the quest for knowledge and have a life-long passion for education and inspiring the minds of my dedicated students. It is through this solid foundation and sensitivity to personalize how each student learns best, that reflects the success of my teaching.

I privately teach violin, viola and piano from ages 5 and up. Whether you are an adult and would like to return to your instrument after many years of being away from it or are a beginner and never had the opportunity to have a private teacher, my kind and encouraging guidance is personalized to suit each students' needs and goals.

Please contact me for rates and availability if you are interested in joining my private studio. Typically, I offer in-home lessons within a 20 mile radius of Providence, RI, as well as at my home studio. In addition, I also teach conduct grades 4-8 orchestra in Fall River, MA, which connects me to my communities near and far.

Thanks for visiting, CIAO!

Gabrielle Parente