Benjamin Henson

Note: I am accepting new violin/viola students, but not cello students.

I am a professional music educator who loves the excitement and satisfaction that comes from helping students of all ages develop skills on their instrument.  I have over fifteen years experience teaching private students and nine years of experience leading school orchestra programs in Iowa, Texas, and Illinois. I have also taught violin and viola at Luther College's Dorian Summer Music Camps and directed the Friends of Ames Strings Summer Camp in Iowa. 

As a performer, I have played with several community and regional orchestras, including with the Central Iowa Symphony as assistant concertmaster. Even though I was classically trained, I have always loved experimenting with pop, folk, bluegrass, and gypsy jazz. 

Fundamentals: I help students to understand exactly how their body works and how to use it most efficiently. I work with students to help them relax so that it is easy to develop technical skills and practicing becomes enjoyable. We build on top of those good physical fundamentals with scales and other exercises to develop the basic building blocks of any music you could ever want to play!

Repertoire: It is important to me to help students choose music that is the right challenge level for them. While classical music is often perfect for developing skills, I make it a point to expose my students to all sorts of playing styles. 

Improvisation: When you learn a language, you first speak words, then repeat sentences you've heard, and then create your own sentences. Music is just as much of a language as any other, so why stop with just repeating music that others have created? I encourage my students to engage in improvisation often, starting simply and building confidence until they can produce original music on the spot!

Practice: Everything in this life that is worthwhile requires some hard work. I expect students to practice daily, whether it is the beginner practicing 15 minutes every day or the high school student preparing for college auditions practicing hours every day. We will work together to develop good practice habits so that your practice is productive and enjoyable.