Emerie Mon

Hi! I'm a lifelong musician with a passion for bringing music into people's lives.

I've been playing for 20+ years and am currently a violin fellow at Bard College. I am Ivy League educated, holding a Master of Music degree from Yale University, and have been extensively trained as a violinist in Europe and the USA. My musical interests include viola, piano, and baroque violin, and I have been playing all three for quite a few years now on top of my specialty in violin performance. I've performed alongside icons like Lisa Fisher and Sierra Boggess, and gotten to play at beautiful venues such as Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Hall. I have been an educator since 2019 and have worked as a teaching artist and private teacher, as well as adjudicator for NEMFA. 

In my free time I love to go to the gym, going on trail walks, spending quality time with my cat, and finding nice places to eat. A close second is museums and exhibits!

Whether you listen to music on your commute, or have a song you always wanted played for your wedding, or have a video game soundtrack stuck in your head, music has a way of just being in your life in some way or other. Furthermore, there are many things in life that would be sorely lackluster without music. I believe in bridging that gap between appreciating this art from arm's length and immersing yourself in it. I love bringing joy and a spark to my students, encouraging creative and technical growth, and helping them be able to convey emotions and feelings they never thought they'd be able to express on the violin. I work often with adults, but I have most experience with middle and high school children. 

My mission is that music should be fundamentally accessible, and that it should be a source of enrichment and fun at any stage in life, regardless of skill or age. I personalize my approach depending on the student's interests and goals, so we will work together to find out what that means for you! As many musical instruments are, there can be a steep learning curve if you're just starting out, or if you're unsure of your technique. I prioritize technique and correct posture in my teaching to prevent injury and so you have a great baseline in order for you to be able to play any piece you wish pain-free and without constant adjusting - so whenever we do the tedious stuff, know that it's for a good reason!

I am a mentor as much as I am an educator. I care about your well-being, your aspirations, your mental health, and am acutely aware that it is all connected. Lessons with me are not an echo chamber of just playing and practicing, but instead a way to incorporate good habits like breathing and relaxing tension, taking note of your mental state before and after a lesson, and working towards a goal to instill a sense of pride, discipline, and resilience in you.