As a beginning student, private music lessons are highly recommended to help lay down a strong musical foundation and teach the basic techniques you need to succeed and enjoy your instrument. As a parent with a student enrolled in a school orchestra program, private lessons will finely tune the skills learned in school. Our instructors will give them the individual attention needed to progress to higher performance levels. You will see your child blossom with new confidence as they seize opportunities to try out for auditions and competitions. Additionally, your student's efficiency while practicing will increase notably, with the detailed instruction of our proficient instructors as they guide the student and enhance the enjoyment of playing. Even for an advanced player, private lessons will polish skills, allowing development of a wide musical repertoire, opening doors to more playing opportunities.       

     Whatever your level, private string lessons enhance the lifelong benefits you gain by playing a musical instrument. Countless research studies time-after-time have shown students involved in musical activities:

• Have higher overall academic test scores
• Improve their math, reading comprehension, problem-solving, memory, and concentration skills
• Build self-confidence, good self-esteem, and self-discipline
• Learn the value of teamwork and leadership
• Improve hand-eye coordination, thus increasing physical neural connections in the brain
• Develop an appreciation for the fine arts
• Tend to be more relaxed having a method of self-expression.

·     Take the next step towards your musical success. Contact us for help with finding a teacher in San Antonio or for lesson times available at our studio. Antonio Strad Violin's ultimate goal is to provide you with the best all-around musical experience possible by offering you not only quality instruments at affordable prices paired with unrivaled service, but also music lessons taught by the experts. At Antonio Strad Violin, we've assembled a group of degreed and specialized instructors eager to share their knowledge with you. Our studio offers lessons with over eight different instructors, ensuring that we will find one who will work best with you to optimize your musical experience. All of our instructors have experience playing professionally on the international and local circuits, and with teaching music to young, old, beginning and advanced students.  

Private lessons are based on 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 1 hour per session. Lessons are once a week.  ( per students request and teacher's recommendations.) Available days are Monday thru Sunday     

          

 

Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass Instructors

Xiaoxuan Sheri Zhu: Ms Xiaoxuan Sheri Zhu graduated from the School of Music attached to ShangHai Conservatory in 1981, then graduated from the ShangHai Conservatory with a Bachelor Degree in Music. Around 1985 she became the first violinist of the China National Symphony and won the Violin Competition of China before she moved to the USIU of San Diego Fine Arts School of Music. At the USIU of San Diego she studied with the first violinist of the Fine Arts String Quartet in UWM of Milwaukee, and became the principal second violinist of the USIU San Diego Orchestra. After moving to San Antonio in 1992 she played in the San Antonio Symphony for over 10 years, and became a first violinist from 2000 to 2001. Ms Zhu has over 10 years teaching experience. And she is teaching at teaching at Antonio Strad Studio on Saturdays.

Maggie Raveneau: Ms. Maggie Raveneau began cello lessons at an early age. She enjoyed playing so much that by age 12 she became a founding member of Seraphim Strings Quartet.

In 2002, Ms. Raveneau entered Baylor University and earned her music degree in 2006. During her undergraduate studies there, she performed with various ensembles, including Baylor Symphony, Temple Symphony, San Angelo Symphony, and Baylor Jazz String Quartet. Although her emphasis is in classical cello, she has also excelled in violin, viola, and bass.

Currently, Ms. Raveneau teaches all ages and all lever cello and beginner violin and viola players. Still, one of her passions remains working with young children. Her love of music allows her to communicate with them in a very special way, which helps contribute to the musical development of the child.

Antonio Strad Violin welcomes Ms. Raveneau and is proud to have her on board.

Jonathan Raveneau: Mr. Jonathon Raveneau comes to us from Dallas, Texas. He attended Baylor University and earned his degree in Music Performance with an emphasis in classical violin in 2006. During his undergraduate career, he performed with Baylor Symphony, Temple Symphony, San Angelo Symphony, Waco Symphony, and had the opportunity to perform in Costa Rica in 2004 and 2006.

After graduating from Baylor University, Mr. Raveneau attended the University of Miami and performed with numerous orchestras during his tenure there. In 2007, he received a Downbeat Award and performed with the Rock Orchestra in Sioux City, Iowa. In December of 2008, he will be the first graduate student from the University of Miami to receive a Masters in Jazz Violin.

Along with the violin, Mr. Raveneau's repertoire includes the viola and offers lessons at intermediate and advanced levels. Antonio Strad Violin welcomes Jonathon Raveneau and is proud to have him on our team.

Angela Caporale: Ms. Caporale has been a member of the San Antonio Symphony since 1998. She has been teaching students of all ages for over 10 years.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Ms. Caporale start her Suzuki Method violin training at age three under the tutelage of her mother who was a formally Suzuki Certified teacher.
During her high school years she played as concertmaster of the Youth Orchestra as well as soloing with that orchestra.
Ms. Caporale earned her Bachelor of Music Performance at the Cincinatti College-Conservatory of Music studying with Naoko Tanaka and Dorothy Delay (Mrs. Delay also taught world famous violinists such as Itzhak Perlaman, Midori, and Sara Chang ) While in school she performed with various ensembles including the Baroque Ensemble that toured Japan.
After graduation, Ms. Caporale joined the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. With this group she played with many different conductors and soloists and toured Japan again.
After the New World Symphony, Angela moved to Spain where she played with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Castilla y Leon for four years. She took this opportunity to travel around Europe and discover different cultures.
Since leaving Spain, Ms. Caporale has been in Texas playing in various ensembles.
Ms. Caporale is looking forward to meeting and sharing her artistry with all students at Antonio Strad Violin Studio.

Eduardo Ramirez, Jr. Mr. Ramirez having earned his degree in Violin Performance at the University of Texas at San Antonio, he also pursued graduate studies in violin performance at UTSA, and viola performance at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts, studying under Laura Bossert. In his time in San Antonio, he has served as a substitute in the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, and as the Concertmaster of the UTSA Symphony Orchestra. He has taught violin and viola at both the Hands On Music School and North East ISD here in San Antonio, and he has participated as an instructor in various music camps and festivals including events at Baylor and Lyrica Boston. His experience makes him great for all levels of violin.

Winnie Zhou: Ms. Winnie began playing the violin at age seven. She played in professional orchestra symphony for eighteen years as a second violin concert master, but has now turned her attention to violin teaching as well as violin making and restolation. She acquired her skills as a violin maker and repair while attending the ShangHai Conservatory in China. In addition to offering her services as instructor, she is also Antonio Strad's luthier. Sweet and quiet by nature, she has been teaching for over twenty years and her students enjoy learning with her very well.

Amanda Ligon: Amanda has been teaching both private and group lessons for nine years now, having earned her degree in Music from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is available to teach all levels of violin and viola, and beginning levels for cello and bass. She is a member of several organizations, including the Texas Music Educator's Association, and in the course of her career has helped found programs that afford great opportunities to students, such as the Boerne ISD strings program and the UTSA String Project. An accomplished woman, her experience and dedication make her wonderful for all students.

Majah Brown: Majah earned her degree in Music Education at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and currently teaches strings at Northside ISD, serving as the Orchestra Director for the Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School. Before that, she was the Orchestra Director for the H.B. Zachry Middle School. While earning her degree, she taught as an after school strings instructor for the Knowlton, McDermott, and Scobbee Elementary Schools. Majah teaches all levels of violin and viola, and beginning levels for cello and bass . She has a very open and friendly personality, making her great for all age groups.

Cello Instructors

Julie Cantu:    Mrs. Cantu was a middle school Orchestra Director for NEISD for 14 years and has been teaching privately several years. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from UT Austin, she is certified to teach music at all levels. Mrs. Cantu received a performance certificate in cello and has Suzuki teacher training. Ms. Cantu teaches on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Also see Instructor Majah and Amanda.

There are many excellent instroctors in San Antonio, If you need instructor besides the Antonio Strad Violin, please contact our office.

 If you are outside the San Antonio area, we want to give you some tips for finding a qualified instructor to help you develop your musical skills.

• I f you are a parent with a student in a school orchestra program, ask the orchestra director if he/she has the information for a qualified teacher.
• Call the local symphony to ask if they have a list of private instructors.
• When speaking with a potential teacher, ask questions. How long have they been teaching? What range of skill levels do they teach? Do they have a degree in music? What age student do they prefer? Any other music experience?
• If the instructor does play professionally at a location, try to go and listen to the performance.
• If you have a child, sit in on the first meeting to see how your child reacts to the teacher. Ask the teacher what is expected from the child during and after the lesson.
• Don't be afraid to talk with the teacher or even change teachers if the experience is not to your liking.

       Above all else, you should enjoy your private lessons and feel as if you are progressing at a rate you are satisfied with.

E-mail lessons@stradviolin.com if you have any questions about our lesson studio at Antonio Strad Violin.

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