Violin Lessons with Yuria B.

Music has been a part of my life since I was five years old. Back then, I confidently declared that I would stop playing as soon as I turned 18. Eighteen years later, you'll still find me practicing Bach, teaching students, or playing in my church’s orchestra—so much for that plan!

My journey with the violin has been shaped by experiences that deepened my love for music. In middle school, I joined the Community Music School (CMS) and performed in several orchestras (String Orchestra, Young People’s Concert Orchestra, and Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra), and for the first time, I truly enjoyed practicing. The challenge of improving my technique and advancing in the ensemble motivated me to work harder, and that effort paid off—I was honored to serve as concertmaster of the Kirkwood High School Symphonic Orchestra the same year we performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. I continued playing in college where I sat in both first and second violin sections of the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra.

After graduating, I began teaching beginner violin students, drawing from both my own experiences and a pivotal semester of private lessons I took in college. That semester reinforced the importance of a strong technical foundation. Relearning how to hold my violin properly after 15 years of playing was humbling, but the improvements in my tone and overall ability were undeniable. Now, as a teacher, I emphasize the importance of good technique from the very beginning—helping students develop their skills while also preventing common playing injuries. I'm excited to share my passion for music with my students at City Strings and Piano and to help them build confidence and joy in their playing!