Teaching 22 years · Philadelphia Orchestra since 1998  ·  •  ·  Essential Excerpts — Autumn cohort now open  ·  •  ·  Studio in Bryn Mawr, PA · Melbourne, FL · Online worldwide  ·  •  ·  100+ students taught · Scholarships to Oberlin, Indiana, Eastman, Richmond

Home » Amoroso Violin Studio

— AMOROSO VIOLIN STUDIO

Since 2004.
Teaching 100+
students.

Whether you are a student graduating from high school and facing the choice of which music university to attend, or a professional violinist auditioning for a spot in a prestigious orchestra, Richard Amoroso has the skills and knowledge that prove positive results.

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— THE STUDIO

Educated 100+ students,
every age and ability.

Amoroso Violin Studio was started in 2004 and has educated more than one hundred students across every age and level of playing. Most notably, substantial scholarships have been awarded to students graduating from high school, advancing to prestigious music schools such as Oberlin and Indiana University.

Many students, while still in high school, have participated as members of the most esteemed youth orchestras in the greater Philadelphia area. Several have gone on to Pennsylvania Regionals and the Pennsylvania State Orchestras.

100+

Students since 2004

6 days

Weekly practice floor for serious students

The studio gives students the tools they need at home — the work each player must do to make real change on a daily basis — and inspires them to love the violin and music in general.

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— STUDENT BENEFITS

A sound fundamental
platform of technique.

The studio is dedicated to building technique that holds up under pressure — in a lesson, a recital, a festival audition, or a final round behind a screen.

01 — SCALES

Every key, every speed, every bowing

From the beginning, scales of all kinds are at the root of all that is to come. Students learn all scales in every key with varying speeds and bowings; scales with double stops stretch the student’s ability to its fullest potential.

02 — ÉTUDES

Kreutzer, Rode, Paganini

While learning skills, students are immersed in études — everything from Kreutzer and Rode to ultimately the Paganini Caprices. Bow technique such as martelé, spiccato and sautillé, with left-hand agility, proper shifting, finger articulation and vibrato.

03 — MUSICIANSHIP

Ear training & reading

Pitch discernment, the ability to see and correctly perform different rhythmic patterns, and textural awareness are essential to becoming accomplished. Violinists of every level keep refining these skills to stay in shape and stay honest about where they are.

04 — PRACTICE

Practising with a purpose

So much time is easily wasted not knowing what to do when you go home. The aim is progress — big or small — each and every day, so that practice produces real change rather than repetition.

05 — PERFORMANCE

Playing under pressure

No one is immune to the nerves and excitement of playing in public. The mental game for violin is no different than giving a speech or playing a sport — so it is coached deliberately, not left to chance.

06 — PATHWAY

Auditions & college

Skilled, experienced instruction is available specifically for auditioning. The studio’s deep knowledge of solo and orchestral repertoire gives students a major advantage when competing for spots in college or orchestra — and its knowledge of the college decision, from choosing the school and teacher to choosing the repertoire, covers the years that follow.

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— WHAT A WEEK LOOKS LIKE

One lesson, six
days of work.

MON

Scales & arpeggios

Slow, with a tuner and a mirror. New key each week.

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TUE

Étude

One technical problem isolated, three solutions tested.

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WED

Repertoire — pages, not pieces

Difficult bars first. Rhythm variations, then tempo.

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THU

Ear training & sight reading

Pitch discernment and rhythmic patterns, away from the instrument.

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FRI

Recording day

Play, listen, mark the score. The tape is the honest teacher.

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SAT

Mock performance

Full attire, full room, no stops. Then the lesson.

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— SEE THE RESULTS

Student case
studies.

Richard’s main goal is to share his love of music along with the hard work it took him to get where he is today. To see more examples of what his teaching produces, check out the student performance and case study pages.

WHERE AMOROSO STUDIO STUDENTS WENT

ConservatoryOberlin College · John F. Oberlin Scholarship

UniversityJacobs School, Indiana University

School of MusicEastman · full scholarship

UniversityUniversity of Richmond · music scholarship

CollegeBoston University · Bard Conservatory

Youth OrchestraPhiladelphia Youth Orchestra

FestivalsPMEA Regionals & State Orchestra

ScholarshipReading Musical Foundation