Helene Bergman Violin Studio
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My Teaching
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. With two older sisters, a younger brother and younger sister that all played, there were times when one could hear practicing from almost every corner of the house! My father always had some kind of music playing, whether it be Mozart, Ella or a Bulgarian women’s chorus and it became a joyful backdrop to my growing up. Not surprisingly, pursuing a career in music through playing and teaching the violin was a natural choice for me.
My younger sister Bethany, a violinist with the Canadian Opera company, was one of my first students! Before she everhad a ‘real’ lesson from me, I gave her a chance to explore the instrument and discover the variety of sounds and rhythms she could create on her own. She even invented some of her own little compositions – we called them “Sound Stories”. Much of what I was learning from my own teacher, Raphael Bronstein, was reinforced during her six years of lessons with me, because the basic principles of playing violin – coaxing the bow to create a beautiful tone or texture, shaping phrases into melodies and discovering the techniques to express and interpret music are taught from the beginning and then continuously throughout one’s study of the violin.
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. With two older sisters, a younger brother and younger sister that all played, there were times when one could hear practicing from almost every corner of the house! My father always had some kind of music playing, whether it be Mozart, Ella or a Bulgarian women’s chorus and it became a joyful backdrop to my growing up. Not surprisingly, pursuing a career in music through playing and teaching the violin was a natural choice for me.
My younger sister Bethany, a violinist with the Canadian Opera company, was one of my first students! Before she everhad a ‘real’ lesson from me, I gave her a chance to explore the instrument and discover the variety of sounds and rhythms she could create on her own. She even invented some of her own little compositions – we called them “Sound Stories”. Much of what I was learning from my own teacher, Raphael Bronstein, was reinforced during her six years of lessons with me, because the basic principles of playing violin – coaxing the bow to create a beautiful tone or texture, shaping phrases into melodies and discovering the techniques to express and interpret music are taught from the beginning and then continuously throughout one’s study of the violin.
"Helene taught my daughter for 10 years (from her first tiny violin at 2.5 years through the end of 8th grade.) She is kind, gentle, and patient. Helene primarily uses the Suzuki method but responds to each child as an individual (for example, she might throw in some Irish fiddle or contemporary music if a kid is interested.) She holds a yearly recital for all students plus an annual soirée for the older kids to practice playing in trios and quartets. Helene is affiliated with the Brooklyn Youth Music Project and summer Suzuki Violin Camp so kids who work with her can easily transition into orchestral playing if they want."
- Heather S.
- Heather S.