Award Winning Professional Violinist and Violin Teacher. I can teach you Classical, Folk, World Music and Balkan Folk Music Online

Find out more about Toni

• 1) When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  I started to play Violin when I was 8 years old. As a kid, I was very temperamental and curious, like many children, but I was always fascinated by sound and searching for it in everything. I was very passionate about music since a little kid. One day, when I was seven years old, I was in my room and suddenly heard a sound from the living room that touched me. Rushing to see what it was, I saw a child playing the violin on TV. I asked my father, "What is this?" He said, "This is a violin," and I told him, "I want to play this instrument." That's how I started playing the violin.

• 2) Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  Yes, I want to listen to classical music a lot, but also I listen to jazz, world music, folk, film music, oriental, and Balkan music.
  I don't have a particular artist that I listen to on repeat, but I can distinguish some artists I love and enjoy listening to, like Itzhak Perlman, Jascha Heifetz, Fritz Kreisler, and Eugène Ysaÿe.

• 3) Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  I would say that the most riveting course I could teach is connecting with your instrument, becoming one with it; playing an instrument is a soul path.

• 4) What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  Every instrument is easy to play if you have the right approach, but the most important thing is to enjoy the learning process.

• 5) What are your keys to success?

  Listen to music a lot and develop your technique daily to perfection, paying attention to every detail.

• 6) Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  I wish I could meet them:
  Itzhak Perlman
  Jascha Heifetz
  Eugene Ysaÿe
  
  They are such incredible violinists, and they had great personalities and souls. I think they would have had great advice to give, not only about violin but also about life and inspiring stories.

• 7) Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  When I started high school, I had my first performance at the school's New Year's concert. I had a very hard time dealing with performance anxiety; my whole body was shaking, and my intonation worsened as the music progressed. After I finished, I felt very bad, but my teacher came to me and said that it was good, no matter what happened, and that I could do better in future concerts. I believe in you.
  After a while, I started to pay attention to detail, focus, motivation, and discipline, and I practiced more and more. After some time, I participated in many competitions and won prizes, became the leader of the school orchestra, and played concerts as a soloist with orchestras.
  
  I think this story will motivate and inspire someone to learn an instrument and become good at it without limitations.

• 8) What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I try always to motivate and inspire students, giving them good advice so they can enjoy the process and learn in the simplest way possible.