Holly Von Weimer-Haley

Hi! I'm Holly and I started playing violin at 14 years old, which is actually kind of late for most string players. I believe you can start playing an instrument at any age though and you're never too old to pick up a new hobby! I was a very serious player and I made progress quickly. I was homeschooled, but I auditioned for the upper level orchestra at the local high school when I was 17. I was accepted and given a seat next to the concert master. This was just 3 years after first starting to play the violin.

Since then, I have played with the Anoka-Ramsey Community College orchestra and Chamber Ensemble, the St. Cloud State University orchestra, the Northern Symphony Orchestra (a local community orchestra) and played violin for a few musicals - Guys and Dolls, The It Girl and The Spongebob Musical. Although violin is my primary instrument, I have also taken viola and cello lessons and I have played both violin and viola in orchestra.

I like to take a comprehensive approach to teaching and incorporate all aspects of musicianship into my lessons, including rhythm, site reading, music theory and ways to practice effectively. I also like to explain the "why" of technique instead of just the "how". For example, we form a straight line with our wrist and forearm when using the left hand on the violin because this position allows our fingers to move freely on the fingerboard while reducing the potential for injury. In contrast, a collapsed wrist can lead to pain and stifles finger movement.