Galamian Institute of Music, lessons for string instruments

	Learning how to learn and to expand one's horizons and to get to know oneself are important educational principles. The Galamian Institute endeavors to be true to these principles. It is dedicated to the individual - one teacher, one student. That means that each student is taught differently, each relationship is unique and each student receives instruction programmed for his or her needs.
Times have changed since Mr. Galamian tutored some of the most famous violinists of our generation. The traditions of excellent violin playing will be passed on in a contemporary way. Encouragement and praise of the student's progress are central to our mentality. The young people of today have many demands on their time and music lessons are only one of their many activities. We appreciate that and work accordingly.
6-point teaching philosophy 1. Nurture the child, not the talent 2. Create mutual trust 3. Have patience – the student must do the work 4. Teach the student to teach him/herself 5. Treat each student as an individual and work accordingly 6. Encourage sharing, not competing 1. Nurture the child, not the talent. Although this is not an original idea, it is my leading principle in teaching. I believe that the teacher must respect and value the individual more than the talent. When the student feels that the teacher is involved with the whole person and is not just interested in the talent he will trust the teacher. 2. Mutual trust is requisite. The teacher must have faith that if he is perfectly clear in explaining what is expected that sooner or later, without forcing, the result will appear. The student must trust that the teacher is giving his best. 3. Patience is a necessity – particularly with the young student. One has to wait for the student to do the work. It may take years before he or she understands and can put into practice all that the teacher is imparting. 4. Teaching the student to teach himself is one of the my most important objectives and I urge the student to ask the questions necessary to analyse musical or technical problems. There is always a specific reason why a mistake is made and when one knows the reason, the solution is always at hand. 5. I give equal concentration to each student regardless of level of ability or accomplishment. There are no good or bad students. (There are students who do or do not practice, of course.) 6. Musicmaking means sharing, not competing. The goal is for every student to experience the beauty of music without a feeling of competition or pressure. Hopefully music will become an integral part of the life of every student.
Skye Carman together with Mrs Judith Galamian, 2002