Amazing teacher and human being! I came to know Viola through my diligent neighbor who organized a group music class for our toddlers (all twos). Viola is an amazing teacher and musician. She connects to each individual through their uniqueness and keeps them engaged even after each class is over. She is quite creative and is very kind. I can't think of a better teacher and person to have as my son's music teacher. read more

Viola is INCREDIBLE!!! I can't say enough good things about her. She led a music class for a group of kids ranging in age from 18 months to six years in our backyard. She came each week with a new themed lesson, and the kids were totally captivated by her. Each class consisted of songs, stories, dancing and more. Viola has such a gift with children and they looked forward to what she would surprise them with each week. Also, she is just a really kind and fun person, and the parents in the class all loved seeing her each week. We feel so lucky to have found her!!! read more

Viola is an amazing violin and piano teacher. She also teaches music and movement classes to toddlers and young kids. Highly recommended.

Teacher Viola's bright and cheerful disposition combined with her creative approach to music for children always has us looking forward to our weekly music lessons. She is engaging, playful and warm and we treasure our time with her! read more

Viola is the most wonderful, engaging, creative music teacher! My 2 year old son and I have been attending her class hosted at our neighbor's house (how amazing is it that she will do a small group class in your backyard?) and it's the best half-hour of our week! She has a new theme each week with songs, props, musical instruments, movement, etc. that keep a wide range of ages engaged. My son even got to play a mini violin with her one time which he loved! She is a natural with children, and her music classes are some of the best we have attended - cannot recommend her highly enough. read more

Viola is a wonderful teacher of violin and piano. My daughter started working with her with my daughter was 4. Viola was able to attend to my daughter's pace and help make violin fun, playful and accessible. We continued taking lessons with Viola for 10 years and only shifted away from working with her due to a location change. I highly recommend Viola as a teacher. read more

We are blessed to have found Viola to teach our daughters violin and piano these past 7 years. Through Suzuki, she taught my girls how to read music, play music, create and transcribe their own music, listen to one another to duet, as well as perform their own music in public. Viola is warm and encouraging and knows how to read what to expect from each child based upon their needs as well as that particular day. She teaches to the whole child, and provides them with tools to to enable a life long music practice. She loves making music, teaching music, playing music, and teaching children and it shows in every lesson. She also speaks several languages and taught our children in Italian :) read more

Viola teaches music and movement at my preschool "Sprouts" in Berkeley. She creates an enriching and stimulating class with songs, dance and instruments. The children are always happy and fully engaged with her lessons. Viola teaches balance, focus, creative expression and music technique. I appreciate Viola's use of multicultural music and stories. I highly recommend her class. read more

Viola is an incredible teacher and musician. She deeply cares about her students and she teaches Italian using songs, music, and games. Her classes are always full because people love her approach and her sweetness. The kids love her, and so do the parents, who are also part of her interactive classes. Her classes are really an opportunity for parents to spend time with their kids in a friendly, inclusive, and multi cultural environment. She is also a terrific violinist and music teacher. I have attended many of her concerts and I am always amazed by her talent. She is the best. If you are looking for music lessons for you or your kids, you have found the best in town! read more

Viola is an amazing violin teacher. She taught my 5 year old daughter violin. She is so patient and kind. She makes it fun and engaging. Viola is supportive and taught my daughter songs she could actually play. My daughter was so excited to see her every week. She is very professional, communicates, and follows up after the lesson. The winter recital was so inspiring to see all her students perform. She gets on the level the child is at. We adore Viola and highly recommend her. read more

I don't have enough great things to say about Viola and her classes. We have been going to her Italian Music class for years and both of my children(and myself) are completely in love with her and her class. Even after taking the same class over and over, the course is ALWAYS fresh, with new ideas and infused with Viola's love of music, kids and her wonderful energy. My kids know dozens and dozens of songs and she has given them a link to our Italian culture that we would never be able to achieve growing up in the US, despite going back every year. She teaches all kinds of classes, and gives music lessons, which will be using once the kids are a bit bigger. She's a hidden gem in the music scene in the Bay Area, and we are so lucky to have found her!! Sei bravissima!! read more

I can not say enough good things about Viola. She's the most amazing music teacher! My 2 daughters have been learning piano from Viola for more than 4 years. She is so kind, gentle and fun that the girls instantly warmed up to her and there hasn't been a single time they didn't want to do class. The girls are quite different in how they play and learn and she is remarkable in how she teaches them. My older kid is a bit more shy and Viola has brought her out and made performing less stressful. She works with her to play Hamilton songs as well as classical pieces. My younger kid loves to compose music and Viola teachers her how to do it well. They love music and piano because of Viola. I wish she stayed in Berkeley forever! She has twice yearly little concerts that are fun for the kids to work up to and for us to see them perform! Viola is a special teacher who can teach all kinds of students to thrive! read more

There are few people you remember from your childhood that stand out like shining lights of fun AND learning - I know Viola will be one of these bright lights for my son. She is an excellent musician, she knows how to engage children of all different ages, and her positive energy is infectious. I have been enrolled in her Italian music class with my son for almost two years now and we have no intention stopping. He loves the class and he loves Viola, as do I! Grazie mille :) read more

My daughter (and I) take Viola's Italian music class. It's very well done. There's music and dance and story time. The pace is perfect. Kids don't get bored. Viola has great energy, but isn't cloying. She now has 2 classes so younger and older kids are separate. Most of the parents speak Italian so we spend the hour almost entirely in Italian. That said, I think a parent who didn't speak Italian would be welcomed. read more

I am a music teacher in the Oakland Unified School District, and I have a 3 year old daughter. As you might imagine, getting my daughter into music is very important to me. I am so pleased to have discovered Viola's wonderful music classes. My daughter absolutely loves her classes, and asks to sing "Viola's songs" over and over. I love the repertoire that Viola chooses- the music is multicultural, international and unlike some other kids repertoire collections out there, Viola's material is interesting to both kids and adults. Viola's classes have a good pace, lots of variety and engage young children's learning styles expertly. See you in class! read more

Viola is a wonderful and talented music teacher. My 14-year-old daughter has taken violin lessons with Viola for six years, and I recommend her very highly. She is very patient and caring with all of her students. I have really appreciated Viola's ability to tailor lessons to fit my daughter's needs. She has introduced her to many styles of music, and encouraged her to play pieces together with other students. My daughter continues to love her lessons with Viola, and I am very happy with how she has grown musically. Viola is the best! read more

Viola is a wonderful music and movement teacher. I can say this after having tried other toddler programs. She has the perfect personality for working with kids plus is a wonderful musician and has a beautiful voice. She puts a lot of creative energy into her classes so they are always engaging. Viola also brings internationalism by introducing songs in many languages. Viola's Italian immersion is wonderful for Italian speaking children and families. It is should not be just considered a music class but a language and culture class. Through the music and classroom interaction, my daughter has been introduced to many new words and concepts in Italian and to Italian kids music. She also gets to meet other kids who speak Italian. Through Viola's class immersion class, my daughter's linguistic and cultural ties to Italy are immeasurably strengthened. read more

We feel very lucky that Viola had time in her schedule to teach our daughter violin. Viola's approach to teaching is very engaging, supportive, and fun! She is warm, creative, and my daughter loves learning from her. In addition to having amazing rapport with children, she is a great communicator and very professional. read more

when we first started looking at music classes in the east bay, viola's notes kept popping up as an option to explore and we are so happy we did. viola offers different themes during each round of classes (so you might find yourself happily, absentmindedly singing about turkeys in spanish or a swahili counting song while you're driving) so there's a ton of variety in the types of songs you sing as well as a wonderful mix of languages. the kids are encouraged to participate in the ways they want to (dancing, singing, playing instruments or making their own percussion) and viola truly connects with them and channels their energy and interests into each session... needless to say, weekly classes are a highlight of the week! read more

If you are looking for a piano or violin teacher, look no further. Viola has been teaching my children for over a year and she is amazing. She is a natural with children; she knows how to engage children in music and encourages them in becoming budding musicians. It's evident that Viola has a developed understanding of how best to engage children in music and also knows how to connect with them and build a relationship with them. We feel so fortunate to have found her! read more