Enroll in Violin Lessons

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Select Glens Falls Class

Select Niskayuna, Scarsdale, or Saratoga Springs Class

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9 + 13 =

Classes begin the second week of September, 2025. A parent or guardian is required to participate in class alongside their student. This is the most unique, effective, and fun element of Dr. LaMarre’s classes! A daily practice of 20 minutes, guided by video and/or book, is a class requirement. Course material will be posted here. The music book, recordings, shoulder rest, rosin, and class videos are all included in the price of the class.

Students are able to rent a violin from the teacher for $10 per month, paying 6 months up front with an additional $50 deposit. This is a wonderful opportunity and price — Dr. LaMarre will select instruments for the students and size them herself. Students wishing to rent or buy an instrument themselves are welcome to do so. Students are accepted into class on a trial basis after parent/guardian has spoken with the teacher and accepted the class’ guiding principles.

Level 1 Class

Beginners and students who have some basic playing experience go through Dr. LaMarre’s Book One, mastering a checklist of mental learning process, technical training, and creative exercise. They learn beautiful and fun pieces of music in a specific order, culminating in two celebratory recital parties, one per semester.

View Curriculum

Level 2 Class

Students who have mastered the material in Level 1 advance to a new class, the following year. Students learn shifting to seven positions, vibrato, and Dr. LaMarre’s Book Two, which again comes with matching instructional videos and a recording. Students will learn more complex accompaniments to the Book One pieces, as well as more advanced pieces of music. Same recital structure.

View curriculum

Level 3+ Class

Students in this level are strong music readers, and have good technique, shifting, and vibrato. Book 3 delves into more chamber music and advanced pieces in a similar manner to the prior two levels, again with its own book. In all three levels, students work on their reading, Music Theory, and Ear Training. In Level 3 students add in some piano as well. Composition is emphasized.

view curriculum

Dr. LaMarre’s classes are based on the Suzuki method philosophy that every child can learn and develop their talent. The Level 1 class had strong success in its initial year (2021-2) and was featured in two newspaper articles (read here and here), a national radio segment of the news in Canada, and on a televised video news segment. Students and parents/guardians enjoyed learning together, and students progressed well in order of instruction.

View a video from a Suzuki camp of a group class playing together, to get an idea of the Level 3+.

Listen to Dr. LaMarre perform Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata, movements 1, 2, and 3.

Watch and hear Janice play first violin throughout the Olivia Wilde and Jason Bateman film “The Longest Week”

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes! Please indicate that you would request a scholarship at the bottom of your application. Tax information may be required to demonstrate need.

Do parents/guardians need to attend?

Yes. The class is designed around parents/guardians being active participants throughout the class. We’ve had a teenage sibling and a grandparent successfully work with their respective students in the past.

Help! I'm tone-deaf!

The class does not presuppose any musical knowlege, or any ability to play the violin. Everything will be taught simply, and multiple times, until mastery is achieved.

Can I volunteer?

Yes, please! Volunteers are vital to the program. In the past we have had the school music teacher and a retired principal volunteer to help teach. We run a background check on all teachers. If you are interested in volunteering, please email [email protected] directly.