First Class Violin & Viola Instruction and Performance

in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Area

*NEW LOCATION!

The studio has now moved to 6400 Tracy Ave., Edina, MN 55439.  It is in New City Covenant Church where we also give recitals twice a year. 

Here’s their website: http://newcitycov.org/

WELCOMING NEW HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS!

Immediate Openings:

Morning and Afternoon Lessons beginning 9 a.m.-3 p.m

Also current openings: Wednesday at 3:45-4:30; Thursday at 3:30-4:15. 

I WILL NOW BE OFFERING ONLINE LESSONS THROUGH SKYPE FOR CURRENT OR NEW STUDENTS.  PLEASE CLICK ON THE SKYPE TAB IN THE BANNER ABOVE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

IF INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT MY EMAIL OR PHONE.  THANK YOU!

    My name is Steven Leung and I’m a violin and viola instructor.  As a native of Edina, MN I have been teaching privately in the Twin Cities area in my home studio for the past 15 years.  I have also taught at MacPhail Center for Music in downtown Minneapolis, where I was a Suzuki violin instructor and conductor of the Camerata Orchestra.  My education includes a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Rice University and a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Oberlin College Conservatory.  I also completed my Suzuki pedagogy studies at the University of Minnesota with Mark Bjork.  World class teachers include Almita and Roland Vamos, Kathleen Winkler, Jorja Fleezanis, and Roger Frisch.

    My extensive performing experience with professional ensembles include Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, San Antonio Symphony and New World Symphony.  I have had the privilege to participate in numerous summer music festivals around the United States and the Far East including Bowdoin Summer Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, National Repertory Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, and Pacific Music Festival. 

    Due to a hand disorder known as focal dystonia, I had to forgo a career as a full-time performing musician and refocus my efforts on teaching.  Coincidentally, several years ago I was introduced to local and internationally renowned guitarist Billy McLaughlin, who also developed focal dystonia several years ago, and have performed frequently with him as first violinist of the Eclectric String Quartet.  He has been a leading advocate for dystonia research and his struggles with the disorder have been documented on PBS stations across the country in his documentary “Changing Keys”.  I have performed with Billy in various venues across the nation, including New York, Nashville, Chicago, Milwaukee, Sioux Falls, as well as various cities in MN including the Twin Cities greater metro area, Duluth, Red Wing, Austin, Stillwater, Hudson, and Marshall.  To know more about Billy and dystonia, you can visit his website at billymclaughlin.com. 

   

    Although I miss performing with some of the terrific ensembles I’ve played with in the past, I have found a great passion and love for teaching.  I have the unique advantage of violin instruction from some of the top teacher artists in the world and also the pedagogy training necessary to guide students to the highest level of performance.  I feel a deep obligation to teach the next generation of musicians, continuing the line of artistry that was bestowed upon me. 

    To set up an appointment for a consultation lesson, please contact me at my email or phone.

Client Testimonials

“Steve is a wonderful teacher. We have two young kids studying with Steve for a couple years now and he is very effective in keeping the kids engaged and focused on learning, which is a particular challenge for young kids sometimes. They have made consistent improvements in their technique and expression. We are very happy and proud of what they have learned from Steve.”

-Anonymous Client

"Steven is certainly qualified to teach violin.  I have 2 sons who are currently taking lessons from Steven. My sons can be somewhat fidgety and less than attentive during class, since the lessons are later in the afternoon, on school eves.

But Steven is more than patient. He listens to the boys, and is quick to grasp their music preferences, and tries to incorporate these into the lessons. He has even taken to fiddling with my older son. There is some flexibility in our schedule time, and he accepts monthly payments.

What I admire most about Steven, is that he continuously stresses the importance of violin fundamentals. He encourages the boys, and welcomes parent involvement."

-Anonymous Client

“After a year of middle school orchestra with very limited individual instruction, my daughter started taking lessons with Steven in January. She's had 5 lessons with him to date, and the change in her playing form has been dramatic. He's worked hard and patiently to help her recognize and change some less-than ideal habits she'd developed from being left on her own too long. He's also helped us help her by suggesting some updates to her violin (new shoulder rest, strings, chin rest). Not only does the violin sound better, it's much more comfortable for her to practice on, too. We're excited to watch her progress further under his expert tutelage. I'd highly recommend Steven to anyone looking for a violin teacher.”                                                                                                                

-Anonymous Client

"Our 4 year old daughter began working with Mr. Steven 10 weeks ago and we have been impressed with his teaching style which is patient and respectful. A strength of his is how he makes learning the violin fun and engaging for her developmental stage. He is very prompt with communication and feedback, sending pictures of her bow hold, emailing us any questions we may have. We've enjoyed the group lessons as well, its fun to see other kids her age at different levels of experience. I would highly recommend him for anyone who is interested in exploring violin for a younger person. "

-Anonymous Client