This post is part of a series highlighting our lessons instructors! Naomi Woods serves as Director of Music Education at Moore Music Company as well as one of four violin instructors in our lesson studios. Born in Beaverton, Oregon, and raised in Greensboro, NC, Naomi holds music degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance) and Baylor University (Master of Music in Violin Performance). Keep reading to learn more about Naomi's musical journey and her teaching style!
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Where are you from, and how did you end up in Greensboro?
My family moved to Greensboro from Raleigh, NC, in 1999, and have called Greensboro home ever since! I took lessons at the Greensboro Cultural Arts center as a kid, went to high school at Weaver Academy for the Performing Arts, and completed my bachelor’s degree at UNCG. I consider myself a Greensboro native! While I briefly lived elsewhere (Valparaiso, Chile, and then Waco, TX) I’m proud to call Greensboro my home now.
Who were your primary teachers?
As a child, I took lessons with Lisa Holness, Susan Gallimore, and Roslyn Willis. I then studied with Fabian Lopez at UNCG and Bruce Berg at Baylor.
How did you get started playing music, and what led you to your primary instrument? Can you share something memorable from your early music experiences?
A local violin teacher was looking for someone to help homeschool her two daughters in exchange for violin lessons. My mom is a talented educator who was already homeschooling me and my four sisters, so she jumped on the opportunity! I was nine years old at the time. My sisters and I took lessons from Ms. Holness for a little while until she moved to Jamaica to run a Suzuki violin school there.
Can you sum up your teaching style in a short paragraph?
I always start with the mechanics of playing, then try to engage the student in conversation about the musicality. It’s important to me for students to understand how to create sound, how to adjust, and how to pinpoint why a sound may not be what they wanted.
What do you want students to take out of lessons?
I want my students to be able to solve problems on their own. In lessons, they learn to listen carefully and identify any spots that are not quite right. Then, I ask them to tell me what might be going on. Is their bow parallel to the bridge? Are they using enough bow? Too little? We break down the problem into manageable parts, and practice individual techniques until they are able to play the way they hear in their mind.
Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had teaching?
Some of my favorite moments have been watching my students perform in the studio recitals I hold every year. Not only do they come away with a sense of accomplishment and pride, but they also have the opportunity to hear other students play and offer each other encouragement. When the younger kids hear some of my more advanced students play, they are blown away! I tell them, “That will be you in a few years if you keep practicing!”
What equipment or materials do you recommend for beginner students? Intermediate/advanced students?
Starting with the correct size violin is important! Some parents may not be aware their child will not be able to play a full size violin and should start with something smaller instead. The rental violins we have at the store will be much more reliable than anything you can find on the internet. We carry Yamaha and Eastman student violins that have a very good sound for beginners.
I ask every student to have a notebook for lessons. For beginner students, I use Songs for Little Players, Essential Elements, or Suzuki book 1. I also like Mark O’Connor’s violin/fiddle method and Music by Black Composers, compiled by Rachel Barton Pine. For my advanced students, I try to introduce the classics of violin repertoire, including Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, Concertos by Mozart, Vivaldi, Viotti, etc, or encore pieces from Kreisler or Weiniawski.
Naomi Woods (Director of Music Education and Community Outreach, Violin Instructor) - Yep, it's me. I just wrote this whole blog post about myself, and now I have to write this author bio too?! Pass. Hope you enjoyed the blog post!
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