Send an email to peggysarantosviolin@gmail.com or click here.

I teach students in every US time zone, including Alaska! I will book the lessons in your time zone. I currently teach lessons on Sunday evenings, Monday afternoons/evenings, Wednesday mornings/evenings, and Thursday afternoons/evenings. I am willing to negotiate time slots for make-up lessons. If you do not observe Daylight Savings Time, you might have to adjust your time slot in March and November.

I teach on Zoom. After you sign up, I will send you a link to your private lesson room on Zoom. You can use the same link each week. If your Zoom app isn’t working, we can also meet over FaceTime or Google Meet. On the rare occasion where your camera doesn’t work, I can do the lesson over the phone and give you feedback on pitch, rhythm, and sound. I will be unable to correct posture over the phone. You can use any kind of desktop, laptop, or mobile device, including smartphones and tablets. Please download the latest version of Zoom and test it out before your first lesson.

It’s bound to happen. I will troubleshoot with you as much as possible. I am happy to stay with you past your lesson time if I am able to. If not, we can reschedule to work on it more. If I can’t figure it out, I will work to find the answers before your next lesson. After over 2 years of online lesson experience, I can usually make something work during the lesson. Once we get in a routine, technology issues become pretty rare.

$30 for a 30-minute lesson

$50 for a 60-minute lesson

30-minute Zoom consultation: free!

I use My Music Staff for scheduling and payments. They accept credit card information through Stripe. I can also accept Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle upon special request. Payments are due at the first lesson of the month. If payments are more than 6 days late, upcoming lessons will be canceled until payment is received.

I will book your normal lesson slot for you after we pick a time together. I will also schedule make-up lessons for you as needed. Each week I will post a limited number of open make-up lesson slots that you can book in your student portal. You can see your calendar by logging in here.

I will text you after 3 minutes to check in. If you scheduled a 30-minute lesson, I will wait for 10 minutes. If you scheduled a 60-minute lesson, I will wait for 15 minutes. If I have not heard back from you, I will cancel the lesson.

I know people get sick, take vacations, and celebrate holidays - me too! If you notify me and/or cancel your appointment up to 24 hours in advance, you will get a lesson credit. We can reschedule the lesson within 2 months. After 2 months, the unused lesson credit will expire.

If you no-show or cancel within 24 hours, you will still be charged for the lesson. I have reserved that time on my calendar and booked childcare, plus I want to teach you! You’ll make the most progress with regular attendance.

Send me a text or email as soon as you can so we can reschedule the lesson. I completely understand that things happen. However, if the emergencies become a recurring issue, I will not continue giving lesson credits.

As long as I am able to, I will notify you immediately via text and email. You will receive a lesson credit to use within 2 months.

• You will need a violin! Please purchase or rent a violin from reputable source. If you can’t find a reputable violin shop in your zip code, let me know so I can help research. Guitar stores (where they sell guitars/keyboards/drum sets) don’t always know about violins. Of course, I can’t speak for all of them. I love Amazon and Walmart, but I do not recommend getting a violin there.

  Adults and teenagers should purchase or rent a full size violin (4/4 size). Children should get measured at a violin shop. They can usually rent a 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 sized violin and upgrade as they grow.

  If you want to get a violin online, here are some great sites:

  https://www.sharmusic.com/

  https://www.musicarts.com/

  https://www.johnsonstring.com/

  https://www.stringworks.com/collections

  https://fiddlershop.com/

It helps to sign up for their email lists so you can get the best deal!

You will also need:

• Shoulder rest or sponge with a large rubber band. These come in sizes, so make sure you get the right size for your violin. I’ll teach you how to put it on in the lesson.

• I will provide all sheet music digitally. If you like printing your music, you will need a pencil to add in notes.

• Rosin: I recommend dark rosin.

• Cleaning cloth: It can be one made specially for the violin, or it can just be a soft, clean cloth. You don’t need any cleaning chemicals or polish. Don’t use a cloth made for wind instruments since it might have built-in polish.

• Music stand: You’ll need a place to put your device for lessons, and/or your sheet music. If you already have another type of stand or plan to tape your music to the wall, that works too!

• Optional but highly recommended: an extra set of strings. Get the right size for your instrument. Most violins use a “ball E,” but I can take a look at your instrument. Strings may break when you are learning to tune. They may also break when they get old. If you play a lot, they will get worn out.

• Completely optional: If you want a beginning book to start with, I love Essential Elements for Strings Book 1. Make sure it says Violin - the viola, cello, and double bass books have the same cover.

• Keep it out of the heat, cold, and sun.

• Wipe off rosin and finger oils with a soft, dry, smooth cloth.

• If you have a safe place to put the violin and leave it out for practice, great! If not, keep it in the case and away from tiny hands and pets.

• Don’t leave it in the car overnight or for a long period of time.

• Don’t touch the bow hair, as your natural finger oils can damage the hair.

• Rosin your bow 10 swipes before you use it. A new bow needs tons of swipes (I will teach you how to do this).

• Tighten the bow when you are ready to play (a pencil width only), and loosen it when you are finished playing (I will also teach you how to do this).

• If you don’t know how to tune it, I will teach you how to use the pegs and fine tuners.

• Bow hair needs to be replaced every year or two, depending on how much you play. This can be done at a violin shop.

1. We will spend a few minutes talking and getting to know each other. I promise it’s a valuable use of your lesson time. I’ve found that just diving into playing without getting to know my students does not work. I will ask you what your background and experience level is. I want to know what genres and songs you would like to learn, and what your goals are. If you are brand-new and have no experience, wonderful! Most of my students started as beginners. Of course, you can save some of this time by booking a free Zoom consultation before you start.

2. We will set up the Original Sound/Audio on your Zoom account. Here is a tutorial for Mac, Windows, Android, & iOS if you want to do this ahead of time.

3. I will ask what kind of instrument and equipment you have. There is a list of supplies above. If you’ve never played before, I don’t recommend tuning ahead of time. If your tuning is already close, we can work on it in the first lesson. If the strings are very off, I will help you tune one string at a time in subsequent lessons, or you can take it to a violin shop and have them tune it to save time. Keep in mind, it may get out of tune in the car or if the weather is wacky.

4. If you’re a beginner, I will show you how to hold the violin and pluck your open strings. In a longer lesson, we may have time to learn your first song or hold the bow. If you are not a beginner, I will ask you to play something you’ve learned before and give you feedback.

Most students are nervous before their first lesson. I also have some jitters when I meet a new teacher! It’s completely normal, and I already expect that. I hope you are mainly excited and fired up to learn violin! We will go at your pace. Feel free to ask plenty of questions. You’ll feel great after that first lesson.

I do recommend this if your child is under 8 years old. After a few lessons, we may decide they are learning well independently and don’t need as much direct supervision. Of course, parents are always welcome in any lesson! Lessons are recorded with parental consent.

I start all beginners with the same basic curriculum, so you can learn how to play. Once you are comfortable with your bow and can put left-hand fingers down on the fingerboard accurately, I will take sheet music requests. I will do my best to find the sheet music or transcribe it from a recording. A word of caution - some pop, electronic, video game, rock, and rap pieces don’t work well on the violin. A lot of them do…I’ll always let you know what I think!

Your lesson notes and sheet music will be available in your Student Portal. If you give permission to record, I will attach your lesson recording as well.

I am not Suzuki-certified and I don’t teach in a Suzuki style. I can help find you a Suzuki teacher if you would like. I do enjoy the Suzuki repertoire and I am happy to follow the books with you.

Instrument-wise, I feel most comfortable teaching all levels of violin and viola, as well as beginning piano. If you are interested in cello, double bass, advanced piano, or guitar, I can help you find a teacher who specializes in those fields.

If you are interested in music theory or history, I can teach that as well. I love music theory and could talk about it for hours. Most of my students just want to play, and that’s fine too!

Congratulations to my students for presenting a wonderful spring recital! Our next recital will be in early fall, date TBA.

Group classes are in development. More info coming soon.

Fill out the form below. Your card will not be charged until we’ve communicated and you’re officially on my calendar.

I hope you talk to me about your concerns and stick with it! Sometimes playing violin can feel frustrating. About 1/3 of my own practice sessions don’t go well and then I sound even better the next day. This is a journey, and it takes time. If finances are an issue, consider downgrading from 60 to 30 minutes. We can also choose a new time slot if your schedule gets busy.

However, I know life happens! You can always rejoin later. Please let me know that you want to cancel your future lessons. I will cancel and refund your upcoming lessons that are scheduled more than 24 hours in advance. I will not refund lessons that are scheduled within 24 hours.