Study with Erik!
(Self-actualization through music is fun.)
Hi folks! I'm a professional violin/viola/mandolin teacher in Ottawa. I hold a Master's degree in performance and maintain teaching positions at Carleton University and SuzukiMusic. My private studio is active, eclectic, and welcoming to adults and kids alike — including complete beginners, advanced students wanting help with technique and audition prep, classical players seeking to learn cross-genre improvisation, and anyone who's curious about how to make music effortlessly.*
*It may take a bit of effort to get to that point.

What to expect:
We build the lessons around you, not a one-size-fits-all method book or curriculum.* When learning an instrument, regardless of genre context, there are a handful of core skills that everyone needs to develop - physical things like how to bow or pluck cleanly, and how to make double stops effortless etc., but also mental things like how to lead with the ear instead of the fingers. Each student's path to learning and mastering those skills looks different! What each student actually wants to use that mastery to achieve is different too, and I'm happy to help you toward whatever goal motivates you, whether it's shredding Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen at your college audition, playing Irish tunes at local seisiúin, or learning how to improvise over Autumn Leaves without tripping on the chords. Or all of the above!
*Sometimes method books are part of the journey, though!
What Do I Actually Teach?
Instruments:
Genres:
Age Range:
Skill Levels:
Format:
Frequency:
Violin, Viola, Mandolin. (Bring your own.)
​
Classical, Jazz, Fiddling, Improv
8 - 108
Absolute Beginner - Virtuoso
In-Person, Online
Weekly, Ongoing
(One-off or batch lessons available for special cases)