Hi, I'm Michael
For 15 years, I’ve taught violin to students of all ages and levels — from beginners to advanced performers. My mission is simple: to help you play beautifully, with ease, and without tension — while having fun.
I grew up in a musical family — my father was one of the world’s leading piano teachers, and my mother teaches piano at USC. Even with all that music around me, the violin didn’t come easily. For years I struggled with tension, frustration, and a sound I didn’t enjoy — despite taking expensive lessons.
Everything changed in my eighth year playing the violin when I changed violin teachers. In a short time, I started to play with a sound I loved and far greater ease. Over the following years, my teacher's guidance helped me grow from a struggling student — one who would never have gotten into a college music program — to studying on scholarship at some of the top music schools in the world.
Because violin once felt so unnatural and difficult for me, I know what it’s like to face challenges with the violin, and I know how to help you overcome them. Whether you’re an adult with a passion for the violin or a parent looking for the right teacher for your child, I’ll help you (or your child) play with beauty, confidence, and joy.
That’s why I offer a free trial lesson — so you can experience how transformative great violin teaching can be. I provide the same high-level instruction I received throughout my training, but at a fraction of the cost. Once my studio is full, this offer won’t be available, so reserve your spot today.
With John Perry (my father)
With Leon Fleisher
Student Testimonials
"Michael is hands-down, a truly superb teacher. I came to him for lessons to improve my left and right-hand technique, as well as my overall tone, and to play with greater ease and less tension. Every question I had was answered with patience and expertise.
Even through a Zoom screen, Michael was able to diagnose both macro and minute changes that I needed to make in order to improve. He offered many practical ideas and effective exercises to support those advancements in skill. In less than one year, I have noticed a marked improvement in not only my overall playing, but also in the ease with which I perform.
Best investment I have ever made in my ten years of violin training. Thank you so much for your teaching Michael!"
“Michael Perry is by far one of the most knowledgeable and kind people I’ve ever known. He was a scales class teacher for our studio and taught us so much about listening carefully and how to be better musicians. There’s an endless amount of information you can learn from Mr. Perry. He’s an absolutely amazing musician and person! ... If you have the opportunity to get a lesson from him, you will not be disappointed. Your level of listening will go up exponentially as well as your technique. Michael Perry allows for free thinking and out of the box ideas which helps you grow so much as a violinist. He never ceases to amaze me!”
Mei Lia
Michele
Qualifications
University of Tennessee–Knoxville
Taught violin, scales class, and chamber music
John Perry Academy of Music
Taught violin, wellness for musicians, ear training, rhythm, strings, and chamber music
15+ years of experience teaching violin to students of all ages and levels
Performance Experience
Solo and chamber recitals in the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Chile
Education
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Artist Diploma in Violin — The Royal Conservatory Glenn Gould School
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M.M. in Violin Performance — Eastman School of Music
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B.A. in Violin Performance — UCLA
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Studied with renowned teachers including Paul Kantor, Barry Shiffman, Federico Agostini, Guillaume Sutre, Michael Frischenschlager, and Movses Pogossian
Registered Suzuki Teacher
"I highly recommend Michael Perry as a violin teacher. I had some reservations about moving my three children aged 8, 11 and 13 from in person to online violin lessons. However, I knew of Michael’s reputation as an excellent violinist so I thought we would give it a try. Michael is not only a wonderful violinist who inspires his students through his demonstrations of their material, but he also handles online instruction brilliantly. He is patient, listens to his students’ concerns and makes sure they are understanding technical requests.
Within a few months of taking lessons with Michael, I could hear a complete change in the tone of my children’s playing as well as nuances I had never heard them incorporate before. Eight months after they began, they played in a local festival and were all distinguished for special honors. I credit Michael with making them stand out among all of the students for their tone, bowing and musical approach to their pieces. I’m sure that students of any age or level would benefit from studying with Michael as his method includes patiently refining technique but also moving through material, continuously advancing his students’ musicianship to a higher level."
Kellene
"Michael is a great teacher for students of all ages. He is patient and innovative, and was able to help me overcome shortcomings that I had developed from when I played years ago growing up. The breadth and depth of his experience in music performance and teaching, combined with his competitive athletics experience and meditation skills, allows Michael to develop in his students a broader foundation for success. His ability to draw from a variety of music genres and teaching methods helped me to be a better musician and to enjoy playing the violin again."
Joe
Why study with me?
Most violinists struggle with tension, frustration, or lack of progress.
I help you overcome these challenges by teaching you how to:
🎶 Play with natural, comfortable movements
🌬️ Breathe well and maintain healthy posture
🧘 Develop a calm, focused mind
👂 Develop a great ear
🎻 Express your feelings through music with confidence
Violin is a challenging instrument — and I can’t wait to help you overcome any technical, physical, or mental obstacle that stands in your way.
While my main expertise is in classical violin, my experience with composition, jazz, piano, singing, conducting, improvisation, yoga, meditation, and the DeRose Method helps me to be a well-rounded teacher and tailor lessons to each student’s unique goals.
🎻 Ready to transform your violin playing and musicianship?
Whether you want to play for fun, improve your technique, or reach a professional level, I’d love to help you get there.
"Michael is an outstanding violin teacher who has made a huge impact on my son’s musical growth. His patience, expertise, and ability to make lessons engaging have helped my son develop both technical skills and a love for the violin.
Michael’s teaching style is clear and supportive, breaking down complex techniques into simple steps that my son can master. He goes above and beyond by providing helpful resources and performance opportunities, always encouraging my son to reach his full potential.
Thanks to Michael’s guidance, my son has grown into a more confident and expressive musician. We’re incredibly grateful for his dedication and highly recommend him to anyone looking for an inspiring and skilled violin teacher."
Melody
"Michael Perry is a creative and patient teacher, especially when it comes to ear training and hearing harmonies as you play your instrument. His methods for teaching intonation helped me find what to listen for as well as how to listen and sing out my sound."
Christin
From a Studio Composer
"Working with Michael Perry was amazing. He is a very thoughtful musician who showed constant and deep concern for the quality of his product. But more importantly, Michael is a phenomenal violinist! I gave him a very difficult solo violin piece, which would probably fall into the difficulty grade of upper collegiate to touring professional.
He knocked it out of the ballpark with a sensitive, passionate recording!
I couldn't be more satisfied or pleased.
THANK YOU MICHAEL PERRY. BRAVISSIMO"
Chris Inman, Composer
From a World-Renowned Violin Professor
"Michael Perry is one of the most interesting violinists I came across in recent years. He studied with me for a few years and, from a teacher point of view, he has been the most inspiring student. His exceptional musical nature allows him to tirelessly search for and come up with interesting, innovative and convincing technical solutions, not only for the purpose to better play the violin but, most importantly, to better serve the expressive content of a piece of music."
Federico Agostini (Michael's Violin Professor at Eastman)
“Michael was a very talented instructor! I always looked forward to our lessons. He would come in with a positive attitude and an excitement to teach. He’s very passionate about what he does and taught me so many new things!”
Leah
“Michael is an exceptional teacher. My wife and I began to learn the violin with Michael. Not only is he an extremely talented musician but also a patient teacher. I would highly recommend him.”
Graham
