BACKGROUND
Ryan Caparella is a Chicago-area violin and viola teacher with a studio of beginning to advanced students ranging from age three to adult. Ryan serves on the violin and viola faculty of the Western Springs School of Talent Education and Naperville Suzuki School, where he co-directs the WSSTE & NSS Summer Chamber Music Camp. Ryan also teaches privately out of his home in Oak Park. Before moving to Chicago, Ryan taught with the Elizabeth Faidley Studio in New York. For the past few summers, Ryan has enjoyed serving on the faculty of the Atlanta Suzuki Institute.
Ryan holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance from The Hartt School of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from The Frost School of Music at The University of Miami. An active freelancer, Ryan thrives on sharing his love of music with others equally through performing and educating.
Ryan is deeply committed to violin & viola pedagogy. Ryan completed his Long Term Training in Suzuki Pedagogy with Teri Einfeldt at The Hartt School, and has pursued additional pedagogical study with Edward Kreitman, Elizabeth Faidley, Nancy Jackson, Thomas Wermuth, and Doris Preucil. In 2013, Ryan was invited to present at the American String Teachers’ Association National Conference. In 2017, Ryan was a recipient of the Suzuki Association of America's Certificate of Achievement, a designation recognizing teachers with a commitment to life‐long learning and self‐improvement.
PHILOSOPHY
My teaching philosophy is strongly rooted in the idea promoted by the great pedagogue and humanitarian Shin'ichi Suzuki that first and foremost, music be a tool to enrich the soul and create better humans beings. I also am adamant in my belief that all children are capable of achieving great things when provided the right tools and a supportive environment.
The multitude of skills developed in the study of a musical instrument is far reaching - focus, dedication, resiliency, respect, attention to detail, development of fine motor skills, teamwork, a high standard of excellence, artistic sensitivity...and the list goes on. While my students may or may not intend to become professional musicians, I teach each and every student to their highest capacity, with the knowledge that no matter what they pursue in life, the lessons and skills learned through their mastery of a musical instrument will instruct their paths to success in all they do.
STUDENT RESOURCES
Current students can access handouts, recordings, supply lists, my teaching calendar and a studio directory in this section. Contact Ryan directly if you need the access password.
