I was an adult beginner. In working with Ken, I’ve enjoyed not just excellent instruction but also the way he puts the music in its historical and musical context.
Ken holds his students to a high standard, but he’s tolerant when students fall short – he knows it’s a journey and a process.
My daughter Alli has taken violin lessons with Ken for ten years, since she was in first grade. With Ken's guidance, instrumental music has become a meaningful part of her life. Ken is a very good teacher - patient, supportive, understanding. He also has high standards and - as a professional musician himself - has helped Alli develop good habits and a sense of musicality. In today's world it can be difficult for teens to pursue more than one interest, since each sport or hobby can take such a huge amount of time. Ken has always accommodated Alli's schedule while simultaneously reminding us of the importance of music and the benefits of continued study and practice. Alli won't study music in university but she will take with her many excellent habits that she learned from years of lessons with Ken, as well as a lifelong appreciation for the beauty of music.
Ken Stalberg is an amazing teacher, from working with my four-year-old who “wanted to play the violin“ but also wanted to stand on her head during lessons to mentoring my teenager who was anxious and overburdened with Covid worries and struggling to practice. She now plays the violin beautifully and she has learned so much about the violin, about music, about musicality, and about self-discipline. His recitals have created a wonderful sense of community where we get to cheer on the children we see each year as they grow. Of course, getting to hear him play at the recitals is a joy.
I studied with Mr. Stalberg for 12 years, from four to sixteen years old. During my time spent in lessons, he was one of the most passionate, caring, and committed teacher I’ve ever had. He pushed and challenged me at all times, and was an incredible mentor to me at every age and every level of playing.
In addition to being a first-rate musician, Ken Stalberg is an inspired teacher. Without being the least bit solemn, he always conveys to his students that playing an instrument is serious and important, whether one is playing Mozart or an exercise from Suzuki Book 1. He is full of humor and suits his patience or impatience precisely to the student’s needs: infinitely encouraging with beginners, challenging with advanced students. I began to study with him in my mid-fifties and he has sustained me through the ensuing travails as only a master teacher could. I recommend him without reservation to students of all ages and abilities.
Ken has also proved himself a master of the remote lesson. For the year when it was the only option, I made progress on FaceTime, which is amazing, particularly considering how averse I am to technological fixes (I never even bothered with Zoom chorus rehearsals).
I have taken violin lessons with Ken for 10 years and I'm really happy that I've stuck with my lessons for this long. Playing the violin has become a really good part of my high school experience and my life. Ken is always happy and supportive, and he is good at judging the right amount of work to give me each week.