Thanks for visiting!
Hi, my name is Sue Lewis, pictured here on violin with bassist/singer Belinda Underwood and pianist Tino Ferraro of www.mangonights.com
- Private and group lessons for violin, viola, cello, bass and piano
- Two recitals annually, 1st Sunday in December and 1st Sunday in June
- Classical, jazz, fiddle, rock, tango, sacred, Celtic, folk, Mid East
- Music theory lessons
- Suzuki method
- VIP Strings method
- Traditional and modern methods customized for each student
- Performance opportunities. Top students qualify for paid performances, see below.
I have 15 years experience teaching music in private lessons and in group settings. I use a variety of modern and traditional approaches which I customize for each student to fit their individual goals. My teaching style can be more relaxed and fun or more intense and rigorous. I strive to provide performance opportunities throughout the year, some paid for top students. Music books come complete with piano accompaniment on CD to make practicing fun.
Included with weekly private lessons are once a month group lessons where students can learn essential ensemble skills and have fun meeting other students.
Below: Sue's home studio located at 3836 NE 138th Ave Portland 97230
Beginning students learn several simple songs that teach great tone and rhythm using classical, folk, blues, rock, ragtime, bluegrass and Suzuki pieces. Students learn concepts such as syncopation, rhythm, note reading, articulations, asymmetrical time meters and and more. Each book comes with a CD with piano accompaniment which makes practicing at home enjoyable.
Students are gradually introduced to scales, arpeggios, music theory, ear training and sight reading. All this works together to produce "the complete musician". The complete musician is a person who has excellent rhythm, pitch, note reading skills and creativity, a person who can enjoy and appreciate music in it's various forms over a lifetime whether it be for personal enjoyment or as a career.
For more serious students who have the goal of auditioning for university scholarships or becoming a professional musician, an accelerated intensive course is available in partnership with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In this program, the student is prepared for a once a year rigorous exam requiring the playing of select pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight reading and ear training. The candidate performs for the visiting Associated Board Examiner from London England and is graded on a point system. Upon passing the student receives a beautiful certificate and additional awards for high scores. Once a year at a separate time, a written exam for music theory is taken. The exams are graded 1 to 8 and can be classical or jazz depending on the candidate's choice.
Top students have opportunities to participate in paid performances at weddings etc. Yes, practice pays off, literally! Congratulations to 15 yo Caitlin and 13 yo Selea on their professional debut playing for a wedding on March 24, 2013. Caitlin has been playing cello for four years and Selea has been studying violin for one and a half years.
Call 503-268-2404 for an appointment
