Turning Students into Artists
MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I believe helping students think for themselves and listen critically to every aspect of their playing, improves their performance in ways that didactic methods cannot achieve.
My decades of experience refining my craft and passing on my knowledge turns students into professional artists.
Private Lessons
Lessons are customized to your learning abilities and goals.
Together, we'll identify your strengths and weaknesses and build a strong foundation that will help bring out your unique voice as a musician.
45 MINUTES
Treyford Mercer
Mr. Kumi is an amazing teacher who is always there to help bring out the best in his students. He helped inspire me . . . and helped me realize my love for music. I highly recommend Mr. Kumi for any aspiring violinist!
Emmaline Mercer
When I first started learning from Mr Kumi, I couldn’t even read music. He made learning the violin exciting and rewarding. Mr. Kumi is always patient and has inspired me to truly want to become a better musician. It is such a joy to be able to pick up my violin and play music.
My Teaching Philosophy
I TURN VIOLIN STUDENTS INTO ARTISTS
I am a passionate educator motivated by the desire to help students tell the story behind
the music they perform. Music is a spiritual language that has the power to touch the
heart of men. Music can help us make sense of our emotions and can help us as a
society to put our emotions into words, or understand things with our hearts when we
can’t with our minds.
As a teacher, I help students learn how to convey the musical story by equipping them with the technical mastery that will allow them to fully express themselves on the violin.
As a performer, I bring fresh perspective into my teaching by using lessons I have learned through the many years I have spent on stage. I firmly believe a good teacher should be a good performer. I have spent decades working hard on refining my craft as a violinist and passing that knowledge unto my students.
My teaching philosophy is based on the upheld knowledge of the masters of the craft of
teaching violin, which believe that engaging students and helping them think for
themselves and listen critically to every aspect of their playing, improves their
performance in ways that didactic methods cannot achieve.
I am passionate about using music as a source of healing and inspiring joy of playing in my students. I was trained and influenced by the traditions of Ivan Galamian, Dorothy DeLay, Yehudi Menuhin and Paul Rolland, which taught me to listen and follow the sound of my violin and work like a craftsman to polish it from within my own person before it reaches the audience.
I help students to find their musical voice by shaping their sound. I think of sound as a work of art that has the ability to inspire the listener. Likewise, a great sound makes one unforgettable in the ears of the audience and enables them to capture and express the full emotional range of the music.
In my career as educator, I have worked with students of all ages and levels. My students have been accepted at prestigious universities and conservatories, including Indiana University, New England Conservatory, and Cleveland Institute. They include prizewinners of international competitions, chamber musicians, and members of some of the most prestigious orchestras in the United States.
If you study with me you will learn more than just playing the violin. You will learn how to appreciate the beauty of music and enjoy the journey toward becoming an artist.
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Where can I rent/buy a violin?I recommend students go to Paige’s Music in Indianapolis for all their rentals and instrument purchases.
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When should I pay for the lessons?I require students pay one month in advance for lessons if possible.
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How long does it take to learn to play violin?Learning violin is a lifelong pursuit, so I recommend students commit to at least one full year of instruction so they can see results. It takes a year to get to a level where a student is capable of playing simple songs at a satisfactory level on the instrument. When you are able to play at a higher level, learning becomes much more enjoyable and practicing is hopefully not considered as much of a chore anymore.
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Do you offer online lessons?Yes, I offer online lessons via platforms such as Zoom. A good internet connection is required for all Zoom lessons.
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Are there opportunities to perform?Yes. I organize student recitals each semester. These recitals take place in York Hall, a state-of-the-art recital hall on the campus of Anderson University. I provide a piano accompanist who will play for the students at the recital. A minimal accompanist fee is charged every semester. The fee goes directly to the accompanist. In addition, advanced students are invited to study with me at summer festivals in Italy, where they will have the opportunity of a lifetime to visit important centers of art, culture and music like Milan, Turin and Cremona.
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Why should I practice?Learning violin requires time and commitment on the part of the student and their parents. Violin is a difficult instrument to master and requires a lot of patience from the student. Encouragement on the part of the parents toward the student goes a long way. Mastering an instrument like the violin is a lifelong commitment, so I require all students to take learning seriously and commit to practicing daily.
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How long are the lessons?Lessons are divided into three categories: beginner (tailored to young students who have never had lessons before), intermediate (tailored to students who are not considered beginner players) and advanced (tailored to students who are considered advanced in terms of technique development and repertoire. Beginner lessons are 30minutes, intermediate are 45 minutes, and advanced lessons are 60 minutes. I offer shorter lessons for students younger than five years old. Those lessons are usually around 15–20 minutes, depending on the student's needs. I also offer longer lessons for very advanced students. Please, contact me if you need a shorter lesson for your child or a longer one for very advanced students.question go to app settings and press "Manage Questions" button.
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Where do lessons take place?Lessons take place in my office at Anderson University.
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Am I supposed to practice every day and for how long?Yes. I expect all my students to practice daily. I allow the student to take one day a week off. Other than that, you are expected to practice a certain amount of time daily. The amount of practice time depends on the age and level of student. Beginner students are expected to practice a minimum of ten minutes a day. That time will only increase as the student makes further progress. Intermediate/advanced students are expected to practice 1–2 hours/day.
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Do you recommend students buy or rent an instrument?I recommend beginner students start by renting an instrument first until they know for sure they want to commit to learning violin.
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What will I need for my first lesson?You will need a violin, bow, case, (these items come together when you rent or buy your violin) and a pencil with eraser.
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How do I pay for lessons?Cash, checks or PayPal are all acceptable forms of payment for lessons. If you choose to pay through PayPal, I require that students pay in advance of the lesson or right after the lesson is complete. Late payments will incur an additional 10% fee.
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What will I learn in my lessons?Either you are considered a beginner, intermediate or advanced student, you will learn how to read music, you will learn proper technique, and you will learn how to practice effectively. I will help you in building your technique so you are capable of playing at a high level of mastery. You will do so by practicing a combination of scales, arpeggios, etudes and concertos. Without building a solid technique, the student will not be able to play at a satisfactory level, which will discourage the student from practicing.
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What if I can’t come to a lesson due to sickness or other personal reasons?I require students contact me 24-hours in advance if possible if they can’t come to the lesson. I ask that students pay for a lesson missed if they fail to notify me. If I cancel a lesson due to sickness, I will reschedule the missed lesson for another time mutually agreed upon, or I will refund the student for that missed lesson if we can’t find a time that works for both of us.
