Private Lesson Details

Shawn has taught the violin, viola, cello, and double bass since 2005 to adults and children of all ages.


Background

Shawn accredits much of his education, and technique to his private music teachers throughout his life.  He began lessons at the age of 12 with Jerome Stasson who was a pioneer of private lessons in Michigan.  He was a highly decorated, and honored teacher with many decades of experience in performance, and teaching around the world.  After Mr. Stasson's unfortunate passing Shawn moved under the direction of Marla Smith.  With Mrs. Smith's experience, and Masters of performance from the University of Michigan she was able to prepare Shawn for what awaited him in college.  Shawn attended Central Michigan University, and was under the instruction of Dr. Seunghee Lee.  Dr. Lee has performed extensively around the world as a soloist, and chamber musician.  Dr. Lee and the professors at CMU helped to transform the energetic student into the professional educator he is today.

Personal Philosophy

Shawn's lessons are based on each students individual goals.  The lessons are not focused on one specific method of teaching because there is no one set method that can encompass every student.  For elementary students more focus is set on playing by ear as well as simple note reading skills.  Shawn strives to make every lesson fun and enjoyable.  Students should want to practice out of a love of the instrument.  Secondary education students focus primarily on advanced techniques of the instrument, and music theory.  Understanding music theory is a basic concept, that if skipped will inhibit the growth of the student.  Adult students focus on a wide range of techniques.  Because every student should get out of the lesson what they desire every student is different.  Some adult students go through the same technique books that grade school students go through while other learn how to read a chord chart to improvise with a band, or group, and others use lessons are a form of music therapy.


Whatever your goal Shawn will be happy to work together with you to create the best learning environment to promote the highest amount of educational growth, and musical fulfillment.


Unlike some teaching methods Shawn does not have pre selected music that every student works on.  Students in the past have worked on everything ranging from Bach, Beethoven, The Beatles, Metallica, Jazz, Fiddling, and everything else in between.  He is happy to arrange any style of music to help encourage the students personal tastes, as well as introduce new styles.

Shawn is trained in Suzuki Method (ECC and Book 1).  Depending on the age and goals of the individual student parts or all of the Suzuki Method may be used.  Suzuki Method applies the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach.

Location/Rates

Lessons are held in Shawn's studio at The Detroit Violin Company in Waterford.  Lessons are typically 30 minutes in length, and are $25 per weekly session.  I encourage every new student to go to purchase a "4 for 45" package through McCourt's.  This would be four lessons for only $45 total.  Students should always feel comfortable about their musical investments, and that is a perfect way to see if lessons are for them.

Feel free to contact Shawn with any questions you may have.
You can find my lesson policies in the policies page.

Jerome & Betty Stasson

Marla Smith

Seunghee Lee