Private Lessons
Philip Oja has been teaching for over 15 years to students of all ages and levels, and he offers private instruction from his home studio in Lexington, MA and online.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Students have won various awards, held concertmaster positions in their school orchestras, and have been accepted into competitive youth symphonies, including Duke University String School, DSO Civic Youth Symphony, and Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony. Former students have gone on to attend music conservatory at schools such as Cleveland Institute of Music, Jacobs School of Music, and University of Michigan.
PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH
1
Curriculum
Mr. Oja’s curriculum of violin technique incorporates the great pedagogical methods of Paul Roland, Galamian, Suzuki, and Jascha Heifetz. The curriculum covers everything from early beginner to advanced level, where students learn to play great masterworks like Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Vieuxtemps concertos, Paganini caprices, and virtuosic show pieces.
2
Support
Parents are encouraged to be a part of their child’s violin journey, to learn alongside them for the beginning stages of violin mastery, and to help guide them at home. Skills such as straight bowing, finger placement, ear training, and proper form are all learned with patience and guidance, and the participation of a parent in the early stages is invaluable.
3
Practice
Consistent practice outside of violin lessons is an essential part of a student’s journey, and students are asked to practice for an agreed amount of time each week, and to keep a journal of their practice sessions. The amount of practice per week is determined by parent, teacher, and the student.
4
Ensemble
Making music with others is a valuable skill, in which one learns the art of music collaboration, and all the fine nuances of listening, and matching tone, dynamics, pitch, rhythm, and musical character. It is also one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling parts of playing a string instrument. For this reason, chamber ensemble is emphasized, and students are offered opportunities to learn and perform ensemble music with other students from the studio.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Mr. Oja emphasizes performance as an important aspect of learning violin. His students participate in several performances each year, in formal bi-annual studio recitals, festivals, community performances, and mini studio recitals. Students are highly encouraged to take advantage of as many performance opportunities as possible as it gives them ample experience playing in front of an audience. Performing builds confidence, provides motivation to learn repertoire to a higher level, and allows one to learn the joy and thrill of making live music for an enthusiastic audience.
