Student Comments
"In addition to teaching us how to play the viola, Ms. Herndon teaches us how to be musicians. We don’t just focus on the physical aspects of playing, she is always encouraging us to make music. She expects that when we get up to play we are producing music first and foremost, not just notes and rhythms printed on the page."
-Douglas Temples, class of 2016
"Studying with Hillary has been the best part of my education as a violist so far. During my auditions for graduate school, I traveled a long way to audition for her, and after only one lesson, I knew that I wanted to move to study with her the next year. My playing has advanced more with her than at any other time in my training. Hillary has an impressive resume- I was pretty nervous to play for her the first time, but I found that she is totally approachable and nice, as great of a person as she is a player.
One of the advantages of studying with Hillary is that she nurtures us as musicians in both technique and mindset. We do work a lot on technique, but doesn't treat us as scale-playing machines. We do play a lot of scales, arpeggios, bow techniques, etc., but we also work on other parts of musicianship such as fixing stage fright, upgrading practice techniques, improving posture, feeling a center of balance, and visualizing our own sound. She has very high expectations of the entire studio, but she does this without being overbearing or mean. She has an ability to be perfectly direct without breaking a student down.
I think that the best part of Hillary's teaching is that she takes responsibility for every single student. She focuses in on each student's specific learning style. I really trust her to know what is best for me, individually, as a player. From week to week, she remembers specific 'catch phrases,' and exercises that have worked for me, and my specific needs. She brings back these phrases whenever I need a reminder. In studio class, she alters her teaching style a bit with each student, based on the needs of him or her. She knows when to be positive, encouraging, when to be firm, and whether to use her sound or words to teach. She also thinks way ahead to help students prepare for auditions and recitals. This is really helpful! Most importantly and simply of all, she makes her students play better- every student in our studio is making continuous progress throughout the semesters.
Hillary's knowledge of orchestral studies and excerpts makes her a uniquely qualified teacher. When I found out that she was Principal in New World Symphony, and that she teaches an excerpts class, I really wanted to study with her. In orchestra excerpts class, I always ask her to play the excerpt through. Her sound is powerful, brilliant, and beautiful. The accuracy with which she plays the excerpts is absolutely impressive! She takes care of every detail in the excerpts we study, and doesn't let a single point pass, which is exactly what we all need to prepare for orchestral auditions.
Studying with her has been a great experience! I would recommend Hillary Herndon to anyone who is looking to improve as a violist and musician."
- Jill Way, class of 2011
-Douglas Temples, class of 2016
"Studying with Hillary has been the best part of my education as a violist so far. During my auditions for graduate school, I traveled a long way to audition for her, and after only one lesson, I knew that I wanted to move to study with her the next year. My playing has advanced more with her than at any other time in my training. Hillary has an impressive resume- I was pretty nervous to play for her the first time, but I found that she is totally approachable and nice, as great of a person as she is a player.
One of the advantages of studying with Hillary is that she nurtures us as musicians in both technique and mindset. We do work a lot on technique, but doesn't treat us as scale-playing machines. We do play a lot of scales, arpeggios, bow techniques, etc., but we also work on other parts of musicianship such as fixing stage fright, upgrading practice techniques, improving posture, feeling a center of balance, and visualizing our own sound. She has very high expectations of the entire studio, but she does this without being overbearing or mean. She has an ability to be perfectly direct without breaking a student down.
I think that the best part of Hillary's teaching is that she takes responsibility for every single student. She focuses in on each student's specific learning style. I really trust her to know what is best for me, individually, as a player. From week to week, she remembers specific 'catch phrases,' and exercises that have worked for me, and my specific needs. She brings back these phrases whenever I need a reminder. In studio class, she alters her teaching style a bit with each student, based on the needs of him or her. She knows when to be positive, encouraging, when to be firm, and whether to use her sound or words to teach. She also thinks way ahead to help students prepare for auditions and recitals. This is really helpful! Most importantly and simply of all, she makes her students play better- every student in our studio is making continuous progress throughout the semesters.
Hillary's knowledge of orchestral studies and excerpts makes her a uniquely qualified teacher. When I found out that she was Principal in New World Symphony, and that she teaches an excerpts class, I really wanted to study with her. In orchestra excerpts class, I always ask her to play the excerpt through. Her sound is powerful, brilliant, and beautiful. The accuracy with which she plays the excerpts is absolutely impressive! She takes care of every detail in the excerpts we study, and doesn't let a single point pass, which is exactly what we all need to prepare for orchestral auditions.
Studying with her has been a great experience! I would recommend Hillary Herndon to anyone who is looking to improve as a violist and musician."
- Jill Way, class of 2011