Studio
FAQ
Approach and method
Traditional method with an emphasis on scales an etudes. Some Suzuki repertoire can be incorporated. The emphasis is on a solid foundation and approach to the instrument as the main goal.
Lesson location
Silver Spring, MD near Holy Cross Hospital. The closest metro station is Forest Glen (walking distance).
Tuition and length
Lessons are offered in bundles of 6 or 8 private lessons for either forty-five minutes or one hour.
Teacher affiliations
ASTA MD/DC (American String Teachers Association)
Jack Weaver Memorial Competition, chair (2010 - 2013)
MCYO (Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras) Violin Sectional and chamber music coaching
Prelude, The Orchestral Youth Program, Arlington, VA Violin Sectional Coaching
High level private Violin instruction
“teaching concepts and technique relevant to where you are musically and in life”
Shelley Mathews' accomplished students have served in principal positions in MCYO, PVYO, All State Orchestras, attended National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, Brevard, Sphinx Performance Academy, and have also gone on to become music professionals.
Testimonials
“Ms. Mathews, while an accomplished professional violinist in her own right, is an outstanding violin teacher and mentor to children and teens as well. Ms. Mathews possesses an amazing talent to impart technical skills but also to inspire a deep appreciation and love for music to her students. As a parent I speak from first-hand knowledge. Ms. Mathews has been our daughter's (violin) teacher for five years in which time our daughter has developed into a mature, poised, and confident violinist. Our daughter is presently auditioning to several top tier college music performance programs -- a musical journey that might not have happened without the mentoring, encouragement, and guidance of Ms. Mathews."
James B.
“My son, Greg was a student of Shelley Mathews for five years, after having taken lessons from another private teacher for many years. We switched to Shelley when Greg was 14, and his playing improved so much during our time with her. While she expects a lot from her students and has high standards, her approach is both kind and patient. She really brought out the best in Greg. I would recommend Shelley to anyone looking for outstanding and enjoyable violin instruction, and for anyone willing to work hard for amazing results."
Mary S.
Thank you so much for all your coaching and guidance over the past six years.
I have grown so much and have developed such a love for violin, and I will definitely come back and visit. Thank you again for being the best teacher and mentor I could ask for."
Alexa E.
Studio Accolades
Students have been members of the following
Maryland Classics Youth Orchestra (MCYO) *, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra *, Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra (PVYO) *, Maryland All State, Montgomery County Junior Honors Orchestra *, Capital City Symphony, Metropolitan Orchestra at Montgomery College
Landon Symphonette
*Students have served in principal roles for these groups (ie concertmaster, assistant, and principal second)
Students have taken prizes in
Junior Division of the Potter Violin Competition, Rockville Competition for Strings and Piano,
ASTA/MSMTA Solo Strings Festival, National Chamber Ensemble Young Artists Award, finalist
National Symphony Concerto Competition, Gretchen Hood Competition
Summer festivals students have attended
National Symphony Summer Music Institute, National Philharmonic String Camp, New England Music Camp, Brevard, Levine Chamber String Camp, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Summer String Institute, Sphinx Performance Academy at Northwestern University,
Sphinx Performance Academy at Roosevelt University (Chicago) University of Maryland Summer Music Program
Student college (music performance) program acceptance
UMBC, University of Maryland, Southern Methodist University, Eastman School of Music, Vanderbilt (Blair School of Music)