Private Violin and Piano Lessons
with Sooyean Kim
Sooyean (Katie) has been a professional violinist and music teacher for over a decade. After receiving her Bachelor's degree with scholarship in Music Performance in Seoul, she graduated with honors as valedictorian and proceeded to get a Masters in Music Education from the University of Minnesota.
​
She performs at multiple symphonies in the Pacific Northwest, including Symphony Tacoma, Yakima Symphony, Tacoma City Ballet, Tacoma Opera, and acts as concertmaster at Federal Way Chorale. Over her career, she has played with renowned musicians like Josh Groban, Zuill Bailey, Chris Botti, and Joshua Bell.
​
She is currently orchestra director in the SeaTac school district and was former coach at Tacoma and Federal Way Youth symphonies. She is also actively involved with various music projects for movie and game soundtracks.
​
​
Teaching Philosophy
Students of all ages and experience levels are welcome!
Lessons are focused on technical fundamentals and increasing stage confidence. Students also have the ability to perform in multiple studio recitals around the year. The goal is to help students recognize and develop their innate talent and allowing them to experience the joy of music; all in a safe environment where mistakes are used as learning opportunities for improvement.
​
Her students have gone on to play in school orchestras or youth symphonies and have won PAFE, Washington State solo ensemble and Tacoma youth concerto competitions.
​
​
​
​
About Lessons
Sooyean offers in-person or online private lessons for both violin and piano. Lessons are on a monthly basis. Each session is either 30, 45 or 60 minutes.
​
Sessions are all 1:1 at Sooyean's Tacoma studio, her home studio in Federal Way, or online. Please contact us for more details.
​
Students are also recommended additional reading or listening material beyond what is listed as necessary based on skill.
Violin
For beginners, the primary focus is building solid fundamentals including posture, rhythm, finger placement, bow grip and music theory. For more advanced students emphasis is placed on mastering more complex techniques, expanding repertoires using scales and etudes and developing their musicality.
​
Sample material (beginner)
-
Essential Elements Violin (Book I/II)
-
Suzuki Violin school (Vol 1-4)
-
Sevcik School of Violin Techniques
-
Scales for Young Violinists
-
Introducing positions
-
Kreutzer 42 Studies
-
Mazas 75
Piano
For beginners, the primary focus is building solid fundamentals including hand position, posture, music theory. For more advanced students, emphasis is placed on scales, etudes and repertoire expansion.
​
Sample material (beginner)
-
Alfred's piano library
-
Hanon: The virtuoso pianist
-
Czerny Selected piano studies
What's New?
Here's the latest on what we've been doing! Student achievements, performances, and more!
Jeremy won the Concerto competition and performed as a soloist with the Tacoma Youth Symphony!
Jeremy Song
Testimonials
Watch some of our students in action and check out what they had to say!
