Violin and Viola Lessons
Specialized classical violin and viola trainingViolin and viola study with concert violinists Daniel Temnik and Samuel Choi, from first lessons through advanced RCM study, competitions and conservatory auditions. Training joins technical command, a cultivated sound and interpretive depth in a carefully planned course of repertoire.
Young students develop listening, coordination and musical curiosity from the outset. Advancing violinists and violists refine solo and chamber repertoire, orchestral excerpts and the performance skills required for auditions and the stage.
- Who it is for
- Ages 6 and up, from beginning students to advanced violinists and violists preparing for auditions.
- Format
- Private weekly lessons of 30, 45 or 60 minutes, in our studios or online.
- First lesson
- A complimentary 30-minute trial lesson. Ongoing tuition is quoted upon enquiry.
A foundation for expressive playing
Early work develops an efficient instrument setup, balanced bow arm and dependable left-hand coordination. Ear training, score reading and rhythmic control are introduced in a sequence suited to the individual student, so technique serves musical intention from the beginning.
As repertoire grows, instruction addresses intonation, shifting, vibrato, articulation and the relationship between bow speed, weight and contact point. Advanced study brings those elements together in stylistically informed interpretation and confident performance. Students from our studios have earned prizes at national competitions and continued at conservatories in Canada, the United States, Thailand, China and Hong Kong.
Areas of study- Bow control, articulation and sound production
- Left-hand organization, vibrato and intonation
- Scales, shifting exercises, études and caprices
- Individually selected solo, chamber and concert repertoire
- Orchestral excerpts and ensemble skills
- Weekly or biweekly lessons aligned with the selected program stream
- RCM practical examination preparation
- Studio recital and audition preparation, plus regional, provincial, national and international festivals and competitions
- Mock examinations for each planned practical exam
- Exam-readiness coaching session for each planned practical exam
Study with Daniel Temnik
Daniel Temnik
Director & Co-founder · Violin
- Recipient of the Catherine Royce Anderson Memorial Grant · John Montague Memorial Grant · Sika & Chris Dafeff Violin Bursary · Benjamin Steinberg Music Legacy Award · Royal Conservatory of Music Teacher of Distinction Award
- Performances at Carnegie Hall · Wigmore Hall · Koerner Hall · Teatro Carlo Felice · Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center
- Laureate, Diploma and Special Prize Winner, Canadian Music Competition · AFAF Golden Strings of America · Paganini · Schoenfeld · Elmar Oliveira · Henri Marteau Competitions
- Artistic Director, Leah Posluns Theatre Chamber Series
- Coach for the Canada Youth Chamber Orchestra (CYCO)
- Adjudicator for the Toronto International Music Festival · Prima Star MVP · Unionville Music Competition · Outstanding Young Musicians International Festival
- BMus (Hons), ARCT, LRCM, The Glenn Gould School — Barry Shiffman & Victor Danchenko
Daniel Temnik is an Israeli-born Canadian violinist who has performed as a soloist and chamber musician across North America, Asia and Europe, including appearances at Carnegie Hall, Koerner Hall, Wigmore Hall, Teatro Carlo Felice and the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center. He studied with Barry Shiffman and Victor Danchenko at The Glenn Gould School.
Recipient of the Royal Conservatory of Music's 2025 Teacher of Distinction Award, Daniel brings his performing and teaching experience to a focused violin studio. He has guided students toward competition recognition and conservatory study in Canada, the United States, China and Hong Kong.
“I have known Daniel for over fifteen years and have been deeply impressed by his work as a violin performer and teacher. Daniel embodies the qualities of an expert educator and scholar. His attention to detail is impeccable, his knowledge is phenomenal, and he teaches students not only how to play masterfully, but also how to conduct themselves professionally.”
Study with Samuel Choi
Samuel Choi
Violin & Viola
- Grand Prize, Guelph Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition · First Prize, Glenn Gould School Chamber Music Competition · First Prize, Felix Galimir Chamber Music Award Competition
- Solo performances with Guelph Symphony Orchestra · PRISMA Festival Orchestra · Chinese Arts Society of Toronto Orchestra · Colburn Baroque Ensemble
- Appointed Principal Viola, Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra · Concertmaster, Collegium Musicum Chamber Orchestra (Germany)
- Artistic Director, OYMI Music Festival · Co-founder and Music Director, Canada Youth Chamber Orchestra
- Former Chamber Music Coach, Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy of The Royal Conservatory of Music
- Adjudicator, OMFA Provincial Finals · OYMI Music Festival
- BMus, University of Toronto · Artist Diploma, The Glenn Gould School · MMus, Colburn Conservatory of Music
Samuel Choi is an award-winning violinist and violist whose career spans solo, chamber and orchestral performance. He has appeared as a soloist with the Guelph Symphony Orchestra, PRISMA Festival Orchestra, Chinese Arts Society of Toronto Orchestra and Colburn Baroque Ensemble. Appointed Principal Viola of the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra, he has also served as concertmaster of Germany’s Collegium Musicum Chamber Orchestra.
As Artistic Director of the OYMI Music Festival and co-founder and Music Director of the Outstanding Young Musicians Chamber Orchestra, Samuel works closely with developing string players. His experience coaching chamber music at The Royal Conservatory’s Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy informs violin and viola instruction that joins careful technical development with repertoire, ensemble playing and confident performance.
Examinations, auditions and performance
For students following the RCM pathway, repertoire, technique, ear training and sight-reading are developed as a connected course of study. Required theory work can be coordinated with the academy's theory department.
Advanced violinists receive focused work on program selection, orchestral excerpts, memorisation and performance under pressure. Audition preparation combines exacting technical work with the interpretive clarity and stage presence needed to communicate in a limited time. Examinations remain an option, not a prerequisite for serious study.
Begin with a trial lesson
Meet Daniel or Samuel, discuss your goals and experience a complimentary 30-minute violin or viola lesson in the studio or online. There is no obligation to continue.
Book a free trial lessonAlso taught here: piano · cello · music theory and group classes