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mike fizzell gives violin lesson to high school student

 

Client Testimonials

Check out what students and parents have to say about my violin lessons 

“After almost six years of violin lessons (more than one full year over zoom) with Mike Fizzell, we could not be more pleased with our son's development. His impressive musical ability and his willingness to continue his studies are a testament to the talent, kindness, and exceptional character of Mr. Fizzell.”

- LW (Parent) Round Rock, TX 

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Here, I am demonstrating a musical passage while teaching a virtual lesson!

I have more than 35 years of public and private music teaching experience. I studied under Abraham Chavez Jr. while I was a high school student in Boulder, Colorado. During this time, I also:

I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with high honors. While earning my bachelor’s degree in violin performance, I served as the concertmaster of the university symphony orchestra. I received training in string pedagogy under Phyllis Young while teaching in the University of Texas String Project.

 

I played in the Austin Symphony first violin section for 9 years. I was also the principal second violinist with the Austin Lyric Opera for its first five seasons.

 

Besides teaching orchestra in public elementary and high schools, I founded and—for 10 years—directed the Christian Youth Orchestra of Central Texas. I have established and led the orchestra programs at both Regents School of Austin and One Day Academy.
 

I have also enjoyed the following professional violin opportunities and experiences:

  • Won the Colorado All-state Competition for High School String Quartets
  • Toured Europe as Co-Concertmaster of the America’s Youth in Concert Symphony Orchestra
  • Served as Principal Second Violinist of the University of Colorado Symphony Orchestra
  • Studio Arranging and Recording
  • Freelancing as a Professional Violinist
  • Founding and Serving as First Violinist of the Rose String Quartet

I am passionate about music and developing skill, confidence, and musicality in my students. 

 

My Musical Journey 

Helpful Tips and Interesting Things

Practice Tips

1. Practice at the same time, or close to it, every day. This gets your mind ready to practice.

2. Decide how long your practice sessions will be and stick to it.

3. Practice in the same place every day if possible. Your mind will be less distracted.

4. Make a checklist of things to practice that day. Then check them off as you do them.

5. Set your cell phone or other alarm to remind you that it is time to practice. 

How to Start Practicing a New Piece

  1. Look at key signature and play the associated scale.

  2. Make note of the time signature.

  3. If you got instructions from your teacher, say them to yourself. It’s even better to write them down!.

  4. Look through the piece and draw brackets around the hard passages that you will spend most of your time practicing. Don’t just keep playing through the piece.

  5. At the end of your practice session, play through the piece for fun and to see how your practice has improved your playing of the piece. Don’t be frustrated by the passages you still can’t play or play well. That will come in time!

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