Abigail Tsai  received a Bachelors of Music from the Eastman School of Music, where she was awarded a Performer's Certificate. At Eastman she studied with Professor Oleh Krysa. She is currently pursuing her M.M. in violin performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music under the tutelage of Ilya Kaler. Last semester she spent her time abroad in Austria, studying at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. She has served as concertmaster of the Eastman Philharmonia, Eastman School Symphony Orchestra, and Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra, and has played with the Neue Philharmonie in Berlin and the Young Artists Symphony Orchestra in Los Angeles. She has soloed with orchestras such as the San Fernando Valley Symphony, the Pazardzhik Symphony, the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic, and the Ventura College Symphony. Abi has been a featured musician in the Acorn, the Agoura Hill Patch, the Ventura County Star and the Antelope Valley Press. She was also a winner of the Fifth International Vasco Abadjiev Competition, the VOCE instrumental ensemble and VOCE string competitions, Antelope Valley Bach competition, Young Musicians Foundation Scholarship Competition, and Southwestern Youth Music Festival competitions. Abigail is very passionate about reaching new audiences through innovative approaches and mediums; she believes classical music is for anyone and everyone. ————————————————- Hi prospective students! I am excited to guide you through the difficult yet immensely rewarding art of playing the violin. There are few things in the world as satisfying as making music, so my goal is to give you the tools to express yourself through the violin. I specialize in teaching classical violin, but I am also comfortable with teaching multiple styles such as rock, pop, jazz, etc. I have also practiced viola, piano, and a little bit of acoustic guitar, so if the student wishes to delve into these other instruments, I am happy to teach them. After all, playing more than one instrument can vastly help the student's musical knowledge, chamber music skills, sight-reading skills, and even help them on their main instrument.   One crucial element in developing a hardworking and successful student is to ensure that they enjoy playing their instrument. I have had a few students tell me about how much they want to learn a song from their favorite movie or favorite band, and I am more than happy to teach them. I think lessons should be enjoyable for both the teacher and the student, so that the student is inspired to practice on their own.  Not only do I teach the fundamentals of violin playing, such as scales, vibrato, posture, and bow control, but I also delve into music theory and music history when suitable. I offer advice on practice motivation, conquering stage fright, practicing efficiently and making the most of every minute, memorization, etc. This squeaky slab of wood and animal guts may seem intimidating at first (in fact, I continue to be intimidated by it everyday), but together we can learn to conquer it, to make it an extension of your body and musical soul. All the problems and difficulties that arise from the violin can be broken down into very simple solutions- my job is to help you solve these problems and improve in a fun and efficient way! In time, the sounds coming from your violin will evolve from screeching and squeaking to lush, singing, beautiful tones.