Private Lesson Packages:

3 different kinds of lesson formats:

1 - In Person at Studio Located in Provo, Utah

2 - In Person House Calls for Utah Valley Residents (plus travel fee)

3 - Virtual Lessons for Long Distance Learners (no additional fee)

What Else Does Angelica's Private Studio Offer?

A Uniquely Curated Method with Goals

I personally design and print weekly educational handouts for my students' music binders including practice logs, goal sheets, music history compilations, music theory resources, and other useful tools.

My students also feel motivated to practice regularly because of setting goals for practice prizes!

Student Photo Gallery

*All student photos on my website are shared with permission signatures from the legal guardians of my students

Frequently Asked Questions

For Beginners

Q:

"What supplies do I need for my first lesson?"

A:

1) An instrument that is the correct size your your arm length and height. Your local music store can help size you by measuring your arm. Some music stores offer affordable rent to buy programs, or trade in programs, like Summerhays in Orem. Be very cautious about purchasing an instrument online, especially from Amazon.

2) Some rosin to rub on your bow. Jade is my favorite brand, but any brand will do for a beginner. Rosin lasts a very long time, but be careful not to drop it, as it is fragile. You can store it in your instrument case.

3) A shoulder rest that is the same size as the instrument. Kunz or Everest are great brands. The shoulder rest is an attachment that helps support the instrument on the shoulder, so that the instrument feels more stable and comfortable while playing. There are also a variety of ways to store a shoulder rest with your instrument case. Some nicer instrument cases are made with a compartments for shoulder rests, but many student cases are not, so buying a clip on shoulder rest pouch at a local music store or online can prove immensely useful.

4) A foldable music stand. You can purchase a cheap one for about $15, or a nicer one for $40 at your local music store or online. You do not need to bring the stand to your first lesson unless you would like assistance learning how to set it up. This is a tool for you to utilize in your home practice.

5) Student method books may vary for my recommendations, depending on age and level. We can discuss book options on the phone that are best catered to your specific needs. I often recommend the String Explorer book for young beginning children, the Essential Elements beginning book for teen and adult beginners. I usually transition into Suzuki books, which I supplement with Essential Elements Rhythm and Scale Studies, Fiddler's Philharmonic, and various select classical and pop pieces that students are interested in. I do not only follow one method (like Suzuki), because I have found that my students improve more and feel motivated by variety in their studies.

Q:

"How do I know what size of violin I should get, and how do I know it is good quality?

A:

The largest violin size is a 4/4 size, which is used by adults and most teens. A 3/4 size is usually used by middle school aged kids or shorter high schoolers. A 1/2 size violin is often used by elementary or middle school aged kids. A 1/4 size violin is often used by young elementary, kindergarten, or preschool students. There are also 1/8 and 1/16 size violins available for exceptionally young students if necessary, but I generally recommend rounding up in instrument size, because then students can grow into their instrument. Changing instrument size often can be challenging for students, as it often takes some time to adjust.

Q:

"What is the difference between a violin and a viola?"

A:

A violin sounds much higher than a viola generally, and it is much smaller. However, to the average viewer, they may look similar, because they are both held on the left shoulder. The open strings on the violin are tuned with G,D,A,E, and the open strings on the viola are tuned as C,G,D,A, so it shares three common strings with the violin, but reaches much lower, and has a deeper and richer sound. Violists can play music written for cello, because they have the same setup as cellists. Surprisingly, viola music is actually not written in bass clef (the notation system cellists use), but it is written in alto clef. Violin music is written in treble clef, which is also used by many other instruments.

Q:

"When does Angelica expect payments, and in what form?"

A:

I recommend doing monthly payments, and I request to be paid by the first week of the month. Venmo is my first choice payment method, because it is easiest to track and log, but I also accept cash or checks. If necessary, I can make agreements with students who need to pay weekly for financial reasons, but generally I expect to be paid for the full month in advance. I do expect to be paid for lessons that have not been rescheduled within 24 hours unless a student is sick or there are emergency circumstances. I am generally flexible and willing to work with my students to make things work best for them!

Q:

"Can you recommend other teachers that teach other instruments in Utah for my family members?"

A:

Absolutely. My mom is a piano, flute, and voice teacher, and I have various colleagues across Utah that I could highly recommend for a variety of instrumental lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Experienced Players

Q:

"Does Angelica Salazar have experience helping advanced players win concerto competitions, be seated as an orchestra section leaders, or get accepted into university music programs?"

A:

Yes, I am well prepared to help you win your next competition or land your next audition, and I have helped several driven students of varying backgrounds to achieve their ambitious musical goals. I am well connected and can find the best repertoire and opportunities for you to help you shine!

Q:

"I learned music by playing by ear, but I am not very comfortable with sightreading. Can Angelica help me learn to sightread while also building on the advanced skills I already have?"

A:

Yes, I have experience teaching students with experience who struggle to read the staff. I actually grew up in a similar situation, largely depending on my ear to learn music for a long time, so I know how to help students who struggle with reading to get over that initial challenging sight-reading hump.

Q:

"I learned vibrato and/or shifting, but Ido not feel like it is super stable, and it makes me sore. Is Angelica able to help me to fix my vibrato and/or shifting so that I am doing it correctly?"

A:

Helping students develop correct arm or wrist vibrato and/or shifting techniques is honestly one of my favorite things to do as a teacher. I have helped many students to be able to break unhelpful habits, and to develop accurate and beautiful technique that lays the foundation for a mature sound quality. My method is unique, but it works, and it works very well.