Guiding Every Student on Their Musical Journey Making Music Fun, Meaningful, and Joyous

My name is Amy Pikler, and I am a professional violist with the San Antonio Philharmonic and the Grand Teton Music Festival. I began playing violin at the age of five, growing up in a musical family—my father is a retired violist from the Chicago Symphony and my mother was a public school music teacher. Music has always been a central part of my life, and I love sharing that joy with my students. I have performed with renowned orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, Florida Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Austin Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, New World Symphony, and Ann Arbor Symphony, as well as at weddings, memorials, and other special events. Alongside my performing career, I have been teaching violin for over nine years, working with students of all ages and levels both in person and online. My teaching emphasizes building a strong technical foundation in a supportive and encouraging environment, helping each student develop confidence, musicianship, and a lifelong love of music. In addition to violin and viola, I am also a professional recorder performer and teacher, with several of my performances available on YouTube.

My teaching philosophy emphasizes building strong musical foundations while nurturing confidence and independence. I am experienced with Suzuki and Essential Elements for beginners/intermediate students and standard repertoire for advanced students. I guide students step by step through the order of the book so they can progress in a structured way, reinforcing posture, plucking, left-hand shape, and bow hold as they advance. I stress good intonation with tuners, scales, and mirror practice, and encourage students to listen critically to their sound. For intermediate and advanced students, I provide tailored guidance on technique, style, and musicianship, helping them refine intonation, rhythm, and tone while developing expressive phrasing. My ultimate goal is a supportive and motivating environment where students grow technically and artistically, gain confidence, and develop a lifelong love of music.