Zoe Loversky
Over the past couple of years Winterhalter Music has been attracting more and more young string students! I was so excited this fall when Zoe Loversky, a violist, applied to join our team of wonderful teachers at Winterhalter Music.
Zoe has a fresh, youthful energy and zest for music and teaching which she brings to her viola and violin students. Originally from the DC area, Zoe studied viola performance at Carnegie Mellon University. She believes that music is an outlet for students to express themselves (I couldn’t agree more!), and she utilizes technology in her lessons– recording her students so they may hear their sound quality. Check out the full interview with Zoe below:
1. Why did you decide to become a music teacher?
To be honest, I started teaching for the money! I’m trying to become a professional performing musician, and my main focus is in chamber music and playing in pit operas. However, it turns out I think teaching is a blast! As much as I love performing, I also hope to have students for the rest of my life.
2. What is your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite part of teaching comes only after the student has learned all the notes, rhythms, articulations of a piece. After that point we can begin to talk about what characters best represent each different section. Based on the character or emotional content we can then decide on the best dynamics, sound quality, and even tempo to fit the piece. That’s the fun part of music and where the student can really express his or her creativity.
3. How do you motivate your students?
It’s hard! I am always asking other teachers how they get their students to practice. At the end of each lesson I make sure to write out a list of everything I expect to hear for the next week, and what specifically they need to work on. For example I would write:
- Practice 2 octave C major scale, 3 notes per bow, quarter note = 102
- Make sure you use the whole bow
- Connect each note
- Play slowly with a C drone to make sure every note is perfectly in tune.
I also try to assign something new each week so the student doesn’t feel like they’re in a slump.
4. What do you hope your students will get out of taking lessons from you?
This one’s easy- I hope they learn to love both listening to and creating music for the rest of their lives!
5. What is your favorite music to play and listen to?
I’m going to be unoriginal and say that classical music is my favorite! As far as my favorite piece to listen to, if you haven’t heard Mahler Symphony No.3 you are missing out on life! Get your computer, headphones, and a bunch of blankets, find a quiet place to sit outside, go on Spotify, and then listen to Alan Gilbert conduct New York Philharmonic. You’ll feel really great about an hour and a half later.
6. What do you like to do in your free time?
I teach exercise classes (specifically indoor cycling.) It’s a little silly, but it keeps me in shape! Most of my free time is spent practicing though…
Thanks so much for reading! You can find out more information about Zoe in her bio. She is currently accepting new students, so if you are interested in starting viola or violin lessons with her or lessons on another instrument with one of our other fantastic teachers, please contact us. If you’d like more resources to help you make the most of your lessons, subscribe to the newsletter and “like us” on Facebook.
Sincerely,
Cassie
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