A great age to start playing violin! It will help your child build a healthy self-image, a strong personality, and self-confidence. Violin playing is the perfect extra-curricular activity that will help build academic skills while enjoying the process. Benefits include good posture, self-discipline, critical thinking and problem solving. Music learning is a great way to learn responsibility and practice patience, all while having fun!

Parent presence at the lessons is highly recommended.

Fees:

• - Weekly 30 minute lesson: $160 per month
• - Weekly 45 minute lesson: $220 per month
• -Weekly 60 minute lesson: $280 per month

Bonus 1: Fieldtrips

One of the hardest parts of learning the violin is keeping students from getting discouraged. Many times, this happens because we cannot envision the end-result. With this in mind, I organize fieldtrips—group outings to professional concerts— to provide a variety of musical role-models for my students. It is easier to keep practicing if we know what we can achieve!

Please note: the cost of the fieldtrips is not included in the tuition fees.

Bonus 2: Movie nights!

We watch movies about composers, famous violinists, and music in general. We play games and have yummy treats. And students do not realize that they are learning music history and gaining general music knowledge!

Contact me! I would love to start working with you and your child soon!

"I highly recommend Maria as a violin teacher! She is patient and kind with our daughter Nona (7 ½). Nona gets frustrated and has a strong will, so this is not an easy task! Despite the frustrations associated with learning a new instrument, Nona has really enjoyed lessons and loves to learn new songs. She is proud to play violin and I thank Maria for that!" Holli M.

Watch your teen become a confident, disciplined adult. Give them an outlet for all that creative energy! Give them a space to build their personality and express themselves in a safe and nurturing environment. Violin playing is a good path to developing responsibility, discipline, problem-solving skills, patience, critical thinking, and appreciation for one’s and others’ work.

Lessons are once a week, payable at the beginning of the month. The length of the lesson depends on the student’s age and level.

Fees:

• - Weekly 30 minute lesson: $160 per month
• - Weekly 45 minute lesson: $220 per month
• -Weekly 60 minute lesson: $280 per month

Bonus 1: Fieldtrips

One of the hardest parts of learning the violin is keeping students from getting discouraged. Many times, this happens because we cannot envision the end-result. With this in mind, I organize fieldtrips—group outings to professional concerts— to provide a variety of musical role-models for my students. It is easier to keep practicing if we know what we can achieve!

Please note: the cost of the fieldtrips is not included in the tuition fees.

Bonus 2: Movie nights!

We watch movies about composers, famous violinists, and music in general. We play games and have yummy treats. And students do not realize that they are learning music history and gaining general music knowledge!

Contact me! I would love to start working with you and your child soon!

"Maria has been a wonderful violin teacher for our daughter, Lucy. Maria has been a great encouragement to Lucy to try her best and the things she wants Lucy to work on between lessons. We would definitely recommend Maria as a violin teacher." Eric & JoAnn

Fulfill the arts requirement with a detailed, carefully crafted music program that covers theory, music history, personalized practice guides, and new friends! By adding weekly violin lessons to your schooling routine you will be adding excellence to your curriculum by giving your child a well-rounded education through a music program with the highest standards.

Enrich your child’s already personalized education with personalized music classes, where they will:

- develop a life-long love for music
- learn to identify and analyze problems
- develop problem-solving skills
- increase memory and attention span
- build self-reliance, self-esteem, and self-awareness

Each student will have a weekly private lesson. The length of the private lesson will be determined by the teacher according to the child’s age, level, and learning style. Parents of children aged 10 and younger need to be present during the individual lesson, taking notes and observing the teacher (in order to be able to lead a goal-oriented practice at home). Parents of children older than 10 are always welcome to observe the lessons! In fact, family involvement at any learning stage is strongly encouraged.

In addition to a weekly individual lesson, students will attend a weekly group lesson, where they will meet fellow violinists going through the same musical journey. Group lessons are wonderful for both students and parents! They provide the opportunity to share solutions to common struggles and practice tips, and are a great source of encouragement for students and parents. They provide reassurance that you are not alone in this musical adventure, that everyone goes through ups and downs, and that it is worth it to keep going!

Hours: The homeschool program is available Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Group lessons take place Friday mornings.

Cost: $160 per month. Includes one weekly individual lesson (up to 30 minutes long), plus one monthly 45-minute group lesson.

Bonus 1: Fieldtrips

One of the hardest parts of learning the violin is keeping students from getting discouraged. Many times, this happens because we cannot envision the end-result. With this in mind, I organize fieldtrips—group outings to professional concerts— to provide a variety of musical role-models for my students. It is easier to keep practicing if we know what we can achieve!

Please note: the cost of the fieldtrips is not included in the tuition fees.

Bonus 2: Movie nights!

We watch movies about composers, famous violinists, and music in general. We play games and have yummy treats. And students do not realize that they are learning music history and gaining general music knowledge!

Contact me! I would love to start working with you and your child soon!

"Maria is a kind, patient and highly knowledgeable teacher who is great with children. I highly recommend her if you or your child want to take violin lessons." Matthew Z.

Maybe you played violin back in high school, or before. It is scary to go back. We all have jobs and very busy lives.

Or maybe you always wanted to play and never had the chance.

If you have the desire, the curiosity, the dream of playing again or for the first time, I can help you! I will be happy to guide you through the joy of making music. I will support you and help you feel good through this challenging process. You are not alone in this, I am here to help you!

Lessons are once a week, payable at the beginning of the month. Price per lesson:

Fees:

• - Weekly 30 minute lesson: $160 per month
• - Weekly 45 minute lesson: $260 per month
• -Weekly 60 minute lesson: $280 per month

Bonus 1: Fieldtrips

One of the hardest parts of learning the violin is keeping students (both children and adults) from getting discouraged. Many times, this happens because we cannot envision the end-result. With this in mind, I organize fieldtrips—group outings to professional concerts— to provide a variety of musical role-models for my students. It is easier to keep practicing if we know what we can achieve!

Please note: the cost of the fieldtrips is not included in the tuition fees.

Bonus 2: Adult Violin Ensemble

Adults deserve their own special time too! The adult ensemble provides the richly gratifying experience of playing in a group for those brave people who have the courage to learn an instrument later in life. Adults pick their own repertoire for the group, so bring your favorite piece of music! We meet every other Friday in the afternoon. The cost is included in the tuition fee.

Contact me! I would love to start working with you soon!

"Maria is a total professional. Enjoy the opportunity learning the violin from her." Dan S.

Maria Claudia Benaros was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There she started her music studies at the age of six, at the prestigious Collegium Musicum of Buenos Aires. She continued at the Buenos Aires Manuel de Falla Music Conservatory, where she studied violin and piano.

In Argentina, Maria played in numerous youth orchestras and taught at two children’s orchestras. In 2003 Maria went to Israel to study with Russian violinist Moti Schmitt at the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music and Dance. After two years in Israel she got married and moved to Minnesota. She graduated Cum Laude from Augsburg College in 2009. While there, she studied under the tutelage of Mary Horozaniecki. Ms. Horozaniecki made Maria her teaching assistant.

After graduating, Maria became certified as a Kindermusik instructor. She also became certified as a Suzuki Pedagogy instructor at the University of Minnesota with Professor Mark Bjork.

Currently, Maria maintains a home violin studio, and guides her youngest students’ first musical steps at Mundo de Colores Family Childcare, a Spanish Immersion daycare in Minneapolis. Maria lives in Burnsville, MN, with her wonderful husband, her 2 lovely children, and Princess Leia, the adorable family cat.

1. Will I need to practice?
   Yes, and I like to make this very clear! I cannot teach you to play the violin in 30 minutes a week. You will have to practice daily. In fact, I recommend including the daily practice time in your written daily schedule, so you do not run into overscheduling problems.
   
   
2. How much do I need to practice?
   As much as you can! Learning to play an instrument takes commitment and daily work. You will know exactly what to do during the week because we will be taking very detailed notes during your lesson. The more you practice, the faster you will progress to the next level!
   
   
3. Do I really need to take notes during my or my child’s lesson?
   Absolutely, non-negotiable, unquestionably and undoubtedly yes. You will receive a lot of information during your lesson and you will need that info during the week. We are all human beings and we forget. Write it down!
   
   
4. Is there a minimum practice time?
   No, I do not count practice in time. I like to do what I call Daily Practice Plans. You will leave your lesson with a set of notes telling you exactly what to do: which notes, which bars, which fingers, and how many times to do it each day. You can divide your plan in parts or do it all at once, you can take breaks, do a little in the morning and a little in the afternoon...whatever works for you. Depending on your level, your plan can take you 5 minutes...or hours. Once you are done with your plan, you are done for the day!
   
   
5. Is there a minimum listening expectation for Suzuki students?
   Yes. The very minimum is listening to the piece that your child is learning, plus the next one, five times every day. This is in addition to the daily practice. The more your child listens, the quicker they progress.
   
   
6. I know nothing about music but I want my child to learn. Is that a problem?
   Not at all. You will be fully guided in what to do with your child to practice at home. We will be making detailed notes and you will be able to ask all your questions during the lesson. If questions arise during the week, do not hesitate to contact me and ask! This is what I am here for.
   
   
7. My child is too young and will not use the entire 30 minutes. Can I only pay for the time that he actually uses?
   No. The minimum length for a lesson booking is 30 minutes and I charge a flat monthly fee, not by the minute.
   
   
8. Do you offer trial lessons?
   No. Learning to play the violin takes time and commitment. The first two lessons (and maybe more, depending on the amount of practice at home) we only work on posture and bow hold. After that, we start making sounds, but it takes time for the student to produce a good tone. So the idea of a trial period is not realistic; first, because understanding how this works takes more time than a trial period, and second, because each child has her own learning rhythm and there is no way to generalize or estimate how long it will take for your child. Instead, you can schedule a meeting with me where we talk (a lot) about this and what to expect, I hand out my studio policies, and you can ask any questions you have.
   
   
9. I know I will have to miss my lesson on a certain date. Do I still have to pay for the full month?
   Yes. As stated in my policies, you are responsible for all the lessons in the month. You can schedule as many make-up lessons as you need. There are no refunds nor roll-over credits.
   
   
10. How do I reschedule my lesson?
    Go to the Student Log-In tab on top of this page, and cancel the lesson that you cannot attend. Then look for an open time that works for you and click on it, enter your info, and you are done!
    
    
11. Do I need to let you know that I need to reschedule?
    No. The system lets me know when there are changes in the schedule. You can even send me a message through the system. No need for a separate heads-up!
    
    
12. Are the fieldtrips and movie nights required?
    No, but I highly encourage everyone to participate. My vision for you is to become a musician (professional or not), not just someone who can move his fingers. Watching and listening to world-class violinists will give you a more clear idea of why we practice and where we are going, what we aspire to, and what we want to sound like. It will open your senses and awareness. The movie nights will give you information about composers, historical time periods, famous musicians, and general knowledge so that you can become a well-rounded musician.
    
    
13. Are recitals required?
    Again, no...but you worked so hard during the year, you really should be proud of it and share your hard work with us! It is very inspiring for everyone to see each other playing. Performance in public might seem scary at first, but we do it in a very nurturing and supportive environment. We are always cheering for each other!
    
    
14. Do you teach on weekends?
    No way, Jose! Weekends are for family and rest...and yes, for practicing.
    
    

"I highly recommend Maria as a violin teacher! She is patient and kind with our daughter Nona (7 ½). Nona gets frustrated and has a strong will, so this is not an easy task! Despite the frustrations associated with learning a new instrument, Nona has really enjoyed lessons and loves to learn new songs. She is proud to play violin and I thank Maria for that!" Holli M.

"My 4 year old son started taking lessons from Maria 4.5 months ago. I have been very impressed with how she works with my son. She does a great job of encouraging him and making lessons fun, while also being firm and letting him know when he needs to work harder on certain things. She strikes a great balance between teaching the fundamentals but also keeping new things moving forward. She realizes it's hard for 4-5 year olds to get things down perfectly and that they lose interest if things move too slowly. I am Suzuki trained myself and still play violin and comparing to my training 20-25 years ago, Maria compares very well to the instruction I received years ago. I highly recommend Maria." John L.

"Maria is a great teacher! I am right handed but due to an injury to my hand I would have to play left handed if I wanted to play the violin. She helped me a lot to adjust to my situation! Thanks, Maria!" Janet S.

"Maria is a wonderful teacher. I have learned something new and improved with every lesson!" Lisa D.