I'm looking for violin lessons for my 9yo daughter, and not having much luck. We live in Gland (La Côte region) and could drive 20 min each way max, but going into Geneva would be a bit much. There is the conservatory in Nyon, but it all seems so formal and heavy, I think my kid would be turned off to music. We're looking for a teacher who takes a playful, fun approach. Lessons could be in english or french, and what we'd really love to find is a small group class. Does anyone have suggestions, or know of a teacher? Do they even do group classes here?? Is a conservatory the only option? Thanks for any info!

Actually, we know the director of that said conservatoire, and he is a real fun guy! Not mentioning a brilliant musician (if only he left his harpsichord alone at certain times of the day, night I mean..hahaha). Just give him a call, he speaks English, he is very approachable. If your kid happens to really like violin, he has all the doors open with a high quality edu in our local conservatoire. I went, my whole family did, and the serious approach (which was not really that serious) pushed me into some good practicing morale. (well, until I hit the rock bands ). Kids will have to practice no matter where they take their lessons. Also, look into the music summer camp, engl. sp., www.Julie-music.com

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There is also Ecole Musique de Nyon, not entirely sure about violin but think they have classes for it as well as most instruments. www.emnyon.ch
It is a small group classes and have had good experience with drums so far there.

I've heard good things about Julie Thompkins, as noted in prevous post.

There are also some links here, http://geneva.angloinfo.com/af/421/g...c-classes.html , someone offering private violin lessons, lives in Carouge but who plays with OSR in Lausanne, so that might also be a possibility

Thanks to musicchick and runningdeer for suggestions. That summer camp looks amazing! Perfect for my kid. But we don't have a car, and that might not be in the budget (wow, this country has slammed us). So I can't really get her to/from the int'l school every day. I checked the école de musique previously, and they don't have violin. The conservatoire might be the only option to try to get some feeling of a group, not so isolated as a private lesson. But I can't tell if there are collective classes or if it is just private lessons there too?? I will call them to see. I'll also check out the link on angloinfo. I tried one last spring, and the person had moved away. Not sure if this one is new.

Are there no violinists out there who want to offer a small group class 2-5 kids here in Gland? I could try to gather up a few others to join us...

Hi elli,

If you are looking for a violin class for your daughter, a one-on-one lesson doesnt have to be boring/heavy etc. That is a misconception. Whats most important is the ability of the teacher to make note reading, music theory, and classical music in general, interesting in the eyes of a 9 year old child, and how the teacher challenges and motivates the child positively.

Have a chat with musicchick's contact, interview as many teachers as you like. There is no rush.

Personally, music lessons like playing the violin, piano, clarinet etc should be taken individually, unless its a singing/rhythm/pitch class, which really is usually for younger kids. Everyone's learning pace is different - its really not efficient paying 40CHF per half hour, and not getting the teacher's full attention for 30 minutes. Also, its difficult for the teacher to hear the true tone that your child makes with the instrument, in a group of lets say, 4 playing the same note - or miss things like correcting your child's fingering, or posture - something in an individual lesson, will be zoomed in straight away and corrected immediately. I might be wrong - I play the piano, not the violin so am not sure if group classes are a norm but just my 2 rappens.

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Thanks guys. I am going to try out a private teacher coming here to teach my daughter and one friend together. we'll see how it goes.... I'll post a recommendation if we love the teacher!

Can anyone recommend a good violin teacher in Zurich area? My 5 year old is showing a lot of interest and we would like to explore.

any tips/pointers welcome

many thanks