Private Instruction | Workshops with Kaila

Violin
I accept students of all levels and love working with both children and adults. I especially enjoy working with violinists interested in exploring folk and fiddle styles, jazz and improvising as well as Western classical repertoire.
I believe that it's important to have great tone, intonation and technique. I also feel that it's important to be able to both read music and play by ear. All of these tools enable a musician to transcribe music, improvise and compose. I believe that everyone can do all of the above if given the chance and proper watering! My current passion is music from Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and Macedonia and I also teach klezmer, Irish, bluegrass and jazz. While I sometimes refer to myself as a “recovering classical violinist” I actually love a lot of the Western classical repertoire. What I didn’t (and still don’t) like is the competitive environment that accompanies (pun intended) classical music. I also don’t think it is the only music in the world (it ISN’T, but you’d never know that if you visited certain music schools that spend four years hammering away at the western (sic to the lower case ‘w’) classical canon and ONE QUARTER on the REST OF THE WORLD’S music). Sorry, I’m getting carried away. What I’m trying to say is, I enjoy teaching music, whether it’s Western classical or a Macedonian song in 11/8. What I enjoy the most, though, is figuring out what YOU enjoy musically and going there with you, exploring that territory, looking around and having you answer the question, “Where to now?”

Composition
(open to all instrumentalists)

I have been composing music inspired by folk music traditions for over 15 years. Whether you are new to composition, you’re working on a tune that you can’t seem to finish, or need arrangement ideas; we’ll work together on realizing your ideas and honing your compositions.

Music Literacy/Applied Music Theory or Reading Music for Folk Musicians
(open to all instrumentalists)

Have you always wanted to read music and have tried without success? We’ll work systematically and you’ll see that it’s actually not as hard as you think.

Though many of us were taught musical concepts in a very convoluted way, music theory is not rocket science! It IS logical and systematic (more or less) and it makes a lot of musical things make sense. And, if you apply these ideas directly to your instrument, light bulbs WILL go off inside your mind! This will make you feel good even when you’re not playing music.
Repertoire (open to all instrumentalists):
We can hone repertoire you’re working on or learn new material in the following styles: Balkan (Greek, Bulgarian, Macedonian etc.), klezmer, Irish, bluegrass, jazz, Western classical.

Fiddling for String players
(open to anyone who plays with a bow)

If you’re interested in technique tips or bowing ideas
to make your folk or jazz repertoire swing a little more, or would like ornamentation ideas, comping (accompaniment/playing back up) ideas, come on by! For more on this topic, please go to the Workshops page and read the description for Fiddling For String Players.

Improvisation
(open to all instrumentalists)

Beginning or otherwise, it's very helpful to work on improvisation privately or in small groups.

Scheduling and rates

My studio is in Oakland, CA, but I do travel as well. In general, I charge $60/hr. for private lessons. Group rates vary. Please contact me at Kaila@kailaflexer.com for more information, or to set up an appointment.