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Hiya, my name is Sarah Wagner and I am a professional violinist and teacher based in Glasgow. Originally from America, I moved to Scotland to pursue higher education but fell in love with the country and decided to stay. With over 10 years of teaching experience as well as performance credits on both violin and viola, I am able to guide students along whatever musical pathway they choose.
Sarah Wagner’s interest in bringing theatricality to classical music has led her to perform in a diverse array of locations ranging from the Palace of Auburn Hills with Detroit-based rapper Eminem to underneath motorway bridges in Glasgow to the throne room of Buckingham Palace. My ongoing performance piece Under the Bridge is a collaboration with After the Pandemic and combines Vivaldi’s iconic The Four Seasons with original street art beneath the Kingston Bridge. The filmed performance of “Summer” was featured in the Scotsman, the Sunday Post, and on BBC Radio Scotland. Under the Bridge recently culminated in a live performance of The Four Seasons at Glasgow Cathedral during the United Nations COP26 conference in Glasgow. I work primarily in the theatre, having performed across Scotland, the United States, Germany, and Italy in over 50 different productions ranging from classical opera to contemporary musical theatre. In addition, my work as a recitalist focuses on the narrative aspects of instrumental music and using classical music to tell contemporary stories.
As a teacher, I have a range of experience working with students of all ages in solo, chamber, and orchestral settings. I believe in a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to music education by combining technical pedagogy with a diverse repertoire of classical, pops, and traditional music. I received my Bachelor’s of Music (high honours) in violin performance and educational studies under the tutelage of Wen Lei-Gu from Lawrence University and my Master’s of Music and Advanced Postgraduate Diploma while studying with Andrea Gajic at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
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Get in touch today and start learning to play the Viola in Glasgow with an experienced teacher.
I believe viola lessons should be fun and engaging and I aim to create a space where each and every student can find their own creative voice through music. My style of teaching prioritizes students’ needs and desires by combining excellent technical instruction with a curriculum rooted in cross-arts collaborations. I have a wealth of experience with string-specific pedagogical methods such as Suzuki, Galamian, and Flesch as well those designed for general music classrooms such as Kodaly, Dalcroze, and Orff.
By integrating these methods into teaching a diverse group of styles ranging from classical to pops, and traditional to musical theatre, I can enable my students to build stories around the pieces they perform and empower them to share these stories with the world. My student-centered approach to lessons allows me to tailor my teaching to each student, meet them where they are, and then guide them through to the next step in their musical journey. I offer lessons for all ages and skill levels in 30, 45, and 60 minute sessions.
Lessons are pay-as-you-go, weekly, fortnightly or as suits you.
I welcome students of all ages and levels to take my lessons. I will always make a lesson plan that suits your experience and ability level and we will work at a pace that you can enjoy.
I accept beginner students for lessons.
As a teacher, I have a range of experience working with students of all ages in solo, chamber, and orchestral settings. My teaching expertise is informed by both academic work and practical experience. During my undergraduate studies at Lawrence University, I studied music education on both the instrumental and general music tracks. While in Wisconsin, I spent four years volunteering with the Appleton String Project program where I worked with small groups of students ranging from beginner to intermediate level.
To complete my education studies minor, I collaborated closely with Leila Ramagopal Pertl at the Appleton Public Montessori School to design and implement a multi-disciplinary string orchestra curriculum inspired by my experience volunteering as a violin tutor in Haiti. Upon graduating from Lawrence University, I moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where I began teaching privately and ran a studio of 25 students ranging in age from 4 to 18. In addition to my private students, I worked in multiple school districts as a chamber music and orchestral sectionals coach.
My students regularly saw success at solo and ensemble festivals and all-state orchestra auditions. Music education is a powerful process through which we can learn more about ourselves, our communities, and the world around us. My passion for using viola lessons as a means to inspire young people to become creative and collaborative individuals makes my studio a welcoming environment for all learners. I am equally comfortable teaching classical pieces, trad tunes, pop songs, and film and musical theatre arrangements and I take special care to seek out extra-musical connections to the lesson materials. My hope is to expand the framework for where classical music belongs and inspire future generations to continue breaking these boundaries.
I can also create lesson plans for more advanced players.
My wealth of experience as a performer allows me to help intermediate and more advanced students take their skills to the next level. Whether it's preparing for an audition, refining technique, expanding into a different genre or style, or building a stronger understanding of theory, I have the skills and expertise to support my student's development.
At an advanced level, I encourage my students to be more self-directed in their learning. String instruments are incredibly versatile and I want to help my students find the pathway that best suits their interests. As a performer, I've worked in many different parts of the music industry including symphonic orchestra, opera and musical theatre, chamber musician, solo recitalist, and studio musician and this diversity of experiences gives me a wide range of knowledge to reference as I adapt my teaching to suit each student's needs.
When working with beginners of any age level, I believe it is important to set the basics first before developing further skills. Once a comfortable set up, confident ear, and a basic understanding of note reading are established, beginner students will find they have a much easier time working into advanced skills. There are many different routes to establish these fundamentals whether it be through classical music or traditional tunes, and I make every effort to help students down the path they are most excited to learn.
I'm a professional viola teacher based in Glasgow offering high quality lessons for students of all ages. I will always go out of my way to make a lesson plan that suits your needs and goals as a learner. I welcome both adults and young learners. For more information, feel free to send me an email at any time.
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My lessons are charged at £20 per half hour and £40 per hour for all students.
I take most of my lessons from my home teaching space in Glasgow. Here I have the benefit of access to my personal storage of sheet music, etude books, duets, and other teaching resources. Depending on availability, I am also happy to travel to students' and teach them from their own homes. For students and families with busy schedules, this gives the benefits of in-person learning while minimizing the need for travel time. For many students, online lessons are the best method for learning in the current environment. My at home studio set up is equipped with high speed Wi-Fi, a high quality camera, and two condenser microphones. This allows me to give quality demonstrations to my students in order to continue their musical development through a virtual scenario. My full teaching address will be provided upon your first lesson booking.
I welcome both children and adults to take my lessons.
Weekly lessons combined with plenty of home practice are the best way to improve as a player.
Lessons cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will still be charged full price.
Get in touch today and start learning to play the viola in Glasgow.
Violin Teacher
Sarah Wagner
