"Hello! My name is Benjamin, I’m a 20 year old violist and violinist studying music performance.

I currently have experience teaching at the South Georgia string project, working with students as young as 6 all the way into adulthood. With this program I give lessons, lead classes, take private students on both viola and violin and conduct ensembles. I’m currently doing my undergraduate degree here at Valdosta State University, studying with Dr. Laurel Yu and Dr. Pfeifer Yu. I grew up in Miami but lived most my musical life in north Atlanta area. During my youth I had the opportunity to play in local and state recognized youth symphonies like Georgia youth symphony orchestra, Atlanta youth symphony orchestra, gmea Allstate orchestra and gmea district 12 honors orchestra. At the moment I play with the Valdosta symphony Georgia here in south Georgia under the direction of Dr. Howard Hsu. During my life I’ve worked with violists such as Kerri Ryan (Philadelphia orchestra), Roman Kosarev, Dr. Amanda Wilton, Elsie Han, and former Houston principal violist Wayne Brooks. As for violinists I’ve worked with Dr Taylor Giorgio, Dr. Marianna Brickle, Luiz Fernandez, Geneva Lewis, and Mellissa white.

I started learning viola at the age of 14 during my freshmen year of high school, which is very uncommon in the classical music world. Due to this my journey definitely wasn’t easy but after a while I started to really enjoy it to the point where I started to do well in music to the point where I knew I was gonna continue this as a career. Last year I started learning more violin so I know enough to help students from beginning level to somewhat advanced. My goal as a teacher will be to help students better themselves regardless if they want to learn as a little hobby or take serious auditions preparing for either Allstate, youth orchestra or festival auditions. I offer lessons to any age so don’t be afraid to reach out if you’re interested in lessons.

Can’t wait to meet all of you!" less...