Violin lessons are available in 30, 45, or 60 minute weekly lessons. Program also includes two 60 minute group classes per month: music theory fundamentals and performance workshops. Plus one formal recital per semester.
Faculty
Ned Djordjevic has been a violin and viola teacher at the Rochester Conservatory since January, 2002. He has a BA, Viola Performance, from the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and a Music Ed and Orchestral Studies Certificate from Wayne State University. Mr. Djordjevic has years of orchestral performance experience with orchestras from Europe, the United States, and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. He has been teaching professionally since 1996. Currently, he is an active performer in a string quartet and as a substitute teacher. Mr. Djordjevic has a witty sense of humor, and a fun, engaging style of teaching. He is comfortable with students of all ages and abilities. He enjoys teaching many different methods and a wide variety of repertoire from Classical to pop, jazz and gospel.
Lucy Alessio has been teaching violin and viola at the Rochester Conservatory since August, 2019. Ms. Alessio has a BA in Music from Thomas Edison State University. She is currently in the process of receiving her MM in Violin Performance at Wayne State University. She is certified in the Suzuki Program, Every Child Can! and Units 1-3. Ms. Alessio was the Concertmaster of the OU Chamber Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Assistant Concertmaster at the Troy Metro Symphony. She is the Education Programs Assistant for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra since 2017 and has been teaching privately since 2011. Ms. Alessio’s teaching style is flexible and adaptable to the unique needs of each student. She has a very encouraging and positive teaching style and enjoys working with students of all ages from beginner to advanced.
Heather Riggs is a native of the Metro Detroit area, and has been privately teaching and actively freelancing on both violin and viola for over 20 years. She began her collegiate studies at Wayne State University, studying privately under Detroit Symphony Orchestra violist, Caroline Coade. She went on to receive her Bachelors of Music in Viola Performance from Baldwin- Wallace College Conservatory in 2004, where she served as Principal Viola of the orchestra and studied with pedagogue Louise Zeitlin. In 2006 she earned her Masters of Music in Viola Performance from The Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, where she studied under renowned violist Steve Larson. In addition to teaching, Heather currently performs with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, International Symphony Orchestra, Macomb Symphony Orchestra, Warren Symphony Orchestra, Lansing Symphony Orchestra and Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra. Heather is passionate about catering to each student’s individual needs by finding ways to meet every student at their own level. Her goal is to help each student grow in their musical skill and knowledge, while also nurturing a love and appreciation for music.
Emily Paye has taught private violin lessons in the Metro Detroit area since 2013, consistently running a studio of 20+ students. She attended Wayne State University where she pursued a degree in Violin Performance studying under the guidance of Detroit Symphony violinist Marian Tanau. She has since been involved in several music educational settings including serving as a mentor for the violin section of the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Orchestra as well as helping run sectionals for local middle and high school orchestras. Her teaching passion lies in working with K-12 students to identify and accomplish their goals as musicians and creating a gentle and cheerful learning environment for students. She regularly performs with the Michigan Philharmonic and Dearborn Symphony.