Shengyu Li

My musical journey with my violin started at the age of four and I have been practicing it for more than twenty years. After six years in the student orchestra during my high school, I entered Tsinghua University as a music specialized student and played as the principle second violin in Tsinghua University Symphony Orchestra (TUSO) for four years. In addition to many performances from on-campus to overseas,  I also attended the Fifth National University Art Exhibition and Performance Events along with TUSO and won the first price. Our performance was once presented before both the heads of state of China and Russia. At leisure time, I along with other members in the orchestra, presented outdoor concerts and chamber music concerts with self-picked repertoire. The four years having music and violin surrounding my life is when I realized that violin's company would last forever for me.

It is the long-last passion I hold for violin and music that keeps playing the violin not only one of my hobbies but also a way of sharing my experience and helping other violin learners. I've been teaching online and face-to-face students for four years after I graduated from the university. My students include a wide range from preschool children who can barely recognize the notes, to adults in their 30s who are trying to pick up violin again after ten years. My teaching style is rigorous, passionate and most importantly, student oriented. I teach both in English and Chinese, and my students come from Philadelphia, Hamburg, Dubai, Hong Kong, etc.

I'm not a "professional violinist" as I didn't graduated from a conservatory of music. But believe me that I've experienced a lot in my violin learning path and I can share with you my methods and knacks to it.

Motivation: Motivation can never be overemphasized! If you are a pre-school child, you may have fun making sound and even little rhymes on the strings. If you are a high school student, you may be eager to polish your audition or competition repertoire for your professional goal. If you are an adult trying to picking up the violin again, you may miss the leisure and satisfaction music once brought to you. Any motivation is perfect as long as you find your own.

Communication: We all know each other and ourselves through communication. As a teacher, I can better understand your needs and your frustrations while you are talking to me, and I will also tell you my insight and my way to tackle your problem. Not only will I show you how to do one single bowing or position changing, but also I'm willing to elaborate the know-why to you, which is the key to evolving from simple imitation to spontaneous reaction.

Imagination: The best way to play music is be in it. Yes, I'm talking about picturing the scene and atmosphere in your mind when you listen to or play a piece of music. In fact, other than concertos or sonatas, many etudes and caprices are vivid enough for you to feel the actual emotions. And you can even tell which one sounds happier, a major scale or a minor one. Imagination helps us grasp the flow of the music, which leads to better intonations, rhythm, dynamics, and expressions.

Self-consciousness: Always listen to yourself playing! Practicing is not for the teacher, but it is a precious opportunity for you to detect any imperfection in your playing. You should not value the time you spend in practicing more than you value the efficiency. Playing is all about controlling your muscle and always remember that the only boss of the muscle is your mind.