Cynthia Staruck

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Violin (English & French)

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Cynthia has over 15 years of teaching experience as a violin instructor in the Pacific Northwest and has been at Music Works since 2001. She holds a masters in music performance from the University of Washington, and a bachelors of music performance from the University of Michigan. She has also attended Meadowmount School of Music summer programs.

 

Her teachers include Robert Davidovici, Steven Staryk and Stephen Shipps. She has performed in a cross-country tour with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the Barry Lieberman and Friends Series, and on "Live by George" KING FM Broadcasts. She has aslo performed with Spokane, Yakima and Tacoma Symphonies and has done numerous film soundtrack recordings.

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Cynthia encourages students to participate in supporting activities such as the Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside, American String Teachers Association competitions, and school district solo and ensemble contests. Her students have enjoyed success in these activities, including earning first place awards. In addition her students have achieved success in scholarship auditions, community performance opportunities as well as being placed in both the Seattle and Bellevue Youth Symphony programs.

 

Cynthia is committed to developing correct technical skills, good intonation and musical sensibility, providing each student with a sound foundation that is essential in the learning of violin playing, whether a student is playing simply for pleasure or aspiring to become a professional musician. In addition to lessons and practice, Cynthia believes performance to be a valuable learning experience. Each opportunity to perform provides the student with a motivating framework which demands self-discipline and promotes growth and self-confidence. Cynthia encourages her students to perform regularly in Music Works Student Showcase concerts, informal home recitals, fundraisers and outreach concerts. She also fosters a sense of community within her studio by offering various settings for playing, such as duos, trios and small ensembles, in which each player interacts and contributes his or her gift. Parents are also made aware of the important role they play in getting involved and being supportive of their children’s musical education.

 

As a mother and educator, Cynthia is increasingly convinced that a strong connection between teacher and student can greatly influence and enrich the lives of both, and she likes to think of herself as an eternal learner who instills in her students the desire and the joy of learning the art of playing music.

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Also teaches in French.

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