Studio is currently full; please inquire about being added to the waitlist.
Summary of Experience:
- Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at the University of Toronto
- Former Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA) at UofT
- Past teaching assistant to Professors Lydia Wong (UofT), Paul Widner (UofT), Stefano Pagliani (Former Concertmaster, Teatro alla Scala) and Mauricio Fuks (Indiana University).
- Former instructor at the Indiana University String Academy and Fairview Violin Project
- Masterclasses, presentations, workshops and coachings in various high schools and at UofT
- Certificate of Teacher Training from the Royal Conservatory of Music
Teaching Philosophy:
I grew up in a musical family and taught my first music lesson at age 15. Since then, I have honed my teaching methods through over 15 years of private teaching, working as a teaching assistant at UofT, at IU’s String Academy and Fairview Violin Project in Bloomington, Indiana, and coaching various highschool and university-level ensembles.
During my time at Indiana University, I gained a thorough understanding of how to teach technique for violin playing, taken from the pedagogical methods of Profs. Mauricio Fuks and Mimi Zweig (the teachers of Noah Bendix-Balgley and Joshua Bell, respectively). I value building solid technical foundations and encourage all of my students to build good playing habits from the beginning. I also enjoy assisting intermediate to advanced students in overcoming technical difficulties by pinpointing problems and exploring solutions, helping to bring their skills to the next level.
I have also been privileged to study with a number of prominent teachers throughout my 8 years in musical academia, observing a variety of methods on how to unlock musical creativity and developing one’s personal artistic voice. I enjoy watching my students grow and encourage developing musical maturity along with technical mastery.
Most importantly, I value having fun and enjoying the process of music-making. I have some background in psychology, in that I completed a Honours Bachelor of Science degree as a psychology major and my doctoral dissertation was also psychology-based, both completed at UofT. That undoubtedly influences my teaching as well as I aim to teach in a way that emphasizes the fulfilment one can achieve through playing an instrument.
My studio is open to violin students at any level.
For info on rates and availability, please feel free to contact me.
Testimonials
“My 16 year old daughter has been taking lessons from Gloria for 3 years, and it is amazing. Extremely qualifed with a DMA in music (a rare feat), Gloria’s innate musicality resonates (pardon the pun) with my daughter, bringing forth her best. We had two teachers before Gloria and there is no comparison. Able to connect personally and musically with her students is what it is all about IMO. I do not know her instructional technique; I just can tell she challenges my daughter at the right level and it all works. This is evident in the group performances, an important part of socializing children in a musical environment, accepting of all levels and always growing.
I grew up in a musical family and immediately recognize the same ethos at play. I also happen to know that Gloria is generous with her time outside of providing instruction, which is wonderful. The full package!” — Bruce (parent)
“I’ve been working with Gloria for a couple years now, and she’s a very kind and patient teacher. Her classes are very fun, where you get to enjoy playing music, while learning a lot and improving each class. She’s very attentive to important details, providing me with a variety of useful methods and solutions to help me with my difficulties, where I have improved a lot in terms of technique and musicality. Gloria’s strong passion for music makes me appreciate and find joy in the music I play, and encourages me to continue learning.” — Anna (student)
“I’ve been taking lessons from Gloria for about 4 years now and I’m shocked at where I am and that is all thanks to Gloria. She is so patient and very good at motivating you to want to play. She makes something that feels like a chore to something fun. Gloria is amazing at connecting with her students through humor and takes the time to listen to them as well. All together she is an incredible teacher and person.” — Kieran (student)
“My daughter has been learning violin with Gloria for a year now, and we couldn’t be happier with her progress. Gloria’s classes are fun and engaging, with a lot of interaction between the teacher and the student. My daughter always looks forward to her lessons and comes back with a smile on her face, having learned something new every time. Gloria is patient and takes the time to correct my daughter’s posture, and gives her many helpful tips to practice finger placement and intonation. Her dedication to teaching and attention to detail have helped my daughter improve significantly in her playing. I highly recommend Gloria to anyone looking for a skilled, patient and passionate violin teacher. She has truly made a positive impact on my daughter’s musical journey.” — Hua (parent)
“My daughter is 4 years old and she has been learning violin with Gloria for a few months now. We love Gloria’s lessons because she seamlessly incorporates songs, dance and games into her lessons, which make learning musical concepts fun and easy to understand. The lessons go by quickly. Gloria is a great teacher who is fun, charming but also strict. I’m glad I sent my daughter her way!” — Coco (parent)
“My daughter has been studying with Gloria since she was 6. A year passed and my daughter learned a lot from Gloria! During class, Gloria is cute and fun, and my daughter easily understands what Gloria teaches to her. My daughter loves studying with Gloria so much. I feel so appreciative that my daughter loves violin because she really has the perfect teacher!” — Angel (parent)
“Gloria is a fun and nurturing teacher who builds a love a music first. She took my daughter from a beginner violinist to playing confidently, adapting to her pace and interests. Clara is excited to continue her lessons and move to Suzuki Book 2!” — Beth (parent)
“Gloria is an amazing teacher. My daughter has been learning violin with her for about a year starting from zero. Within a year, my daughter has been progressing so fast and already on RCM 3 level. Gloria is very professional, a lot of patience and good with kids. Learning from her is fun! She must have magic that my daughter is always looking forward to her violin lessons. I would highly recommend her to everyone.” — Sunny (parent)
“A great violin teacher, Gloria is highly recommended if you are looking for an experienced and loving teacher. Gloria is a highly talented musician with professional music knowledge and background. She is an excellent teacher who devotes time and effort to helping students grow. Gloria brought an extensive experience in music and violin, along with a positive attitude and engaging character. Her friendliness and humour make every class time enjoyable and interesting! She is an excellent resource for those interested in music or looking to develop violin skills.” — Ada (parent)
“Mrs. Yip has been teaching my daughter for over a year. We have been very pleased with my daughter’s progression. It’s a fun and inspiring learning environment. She wants her students to enjoy music and the process of learning without too much pressure. My daughter really liked her teaching from the first time she met her. Thanks for all the wonderful teaching!” — Justina (parent)
“My son has been taking lessons with Gloria for almost two years now and his progress is very obvious. Thanks to Gloria’s expertise and teaching style he leaves each lesson feeling accomplished and encouraged after receiving feedback on his home practice, learning new things and improving his technique with valuable hands-on directions. As a parent I really appreciate Gloria’s initiative in organizing student recitals, which are so important for building students’ confidence and allowing them to experience their own progress and accomplishments, and a great way for parents to enjoy their children’s musical journey.” — Mila (parent)
