Rose Cianflone

Instructor of Violin

Check out Rose’s Profile!

How long have you been teaching?

I’ve taught violin since 2019.

 

Which Opus Music Academy locations do you work? Do you have your own studio? If so, where is it located? Do you offer in-home lessons?

I work at the Plymouth, St Louis Park, and Robbinsdale locations, as well as in-home lessons.

 

What is your studio story? How did you get to where you are now?

After growing up in a musical family, I pursued my passion further at St. Cloud University, where I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Music. I started teaching at a music academy in St. Cloud while I was in school, where I discovered my love for sharing music with others. Since then, I’ve played in orchestras and bands, recorded music, and performed live whenever possible!

 

What is one thing you think you do really well as a teacher?

I would say I am patient. I like to take time to help a student really learn and understand the materials, theory, and technique during lessons. I make sure I’m explaining it in a way that makes sense to my students and work to build upon their previous knowledge about a subject.

 

What is one thing you really struggle with as a teacher?

Trying to get everything that I would like to go over in depth, into a lesson; the lessons can feel so short sometimes!

 

What do you do to retain your students?

I make sure I have a good relationship with them and that the lessons are a good experience. I make sure we’re working on or towards music that my students really want to learn. When things start to get stale, I try to dig into other ways that will catch the students attention, such as music games or stickers/stamps they can pick out for their completed assignments.

 

Share a funny student story:

This may be more wholesome than funny: I once had a student that loved cats, so we would talk about cats (and Minecraft of course) sometime during lessons. One day he came in with a whole comic book he had made from scratch and stapled together on notebook paper that featured only cat characters. It was so creative and funny – one of my favorite gifts I’ve ever received!

 

What is your niche? What sets you apart from other teachers?

Although I play violin, I would say I have more of an indie/alt/rock background than most violinists. I would love to help students who are interested in playing either with a band, or who just want to play styles other than classical.

 

What is your favorite band, artist, or composer? Why?

It’s hard to choose, but I would probably have to say Andrew Bird. I believe he’s an incredibly talented musician and has been changing and versatile throughout his career. I love how he composes and combines his violin playing with plucking, whistling, singing, and other instruments, like the glockenspiel.

 

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I was homeschooled in the country growing up, where we had a hobby farm with sheep, chickens, and other small animals.

 

Let’s say you’re having coffee with a brand-new teacher.  What’s one piece of advice you wish you would have known when you started?

Don’t be afraid to take time with someone if they need it. Everyone has their own pace and you’re there to work with that space. People can get bored and frustrated, but it doesn’t mean that that can’t or won’t change with the right encouragement.

 

Let’s say you’re visiting with a teacher who is feeling burned out. What advice would you give to them to give life to their studio?

Reach out to others in the field for advice and support and don’t forget about self care! I think it’s important to have hobbies and relaxing time outside of lessons so you’re up and ready to conquer in the music room.

 

We’ve all had that one student or parent that drives us crazy.  What do you do with that student or family?

I think it’s important to set boundaries but also try to understand what might be making the situation difficult (for example, if they have had bad experiences in the past with teachers, or they’re just having a bad day). I think being patient and understanding of the different people in the world is important – ultimately we’re here for the music.

 

What is your craziest idea? What is something you would do if money, time, and space weren’t an issue?

I would love to have some kind of program where music teachers and students could travel to different places around the world over a couple weeks and experience different learning styles and music around the world. I would also love to start a venue that could be used by both local musicians and younger folks wanting to start playing in a band. Oh the things I would love to do if time, space, and money weren’t an issue!

 

If you weren’t a music instructor, what else would you do with your life?

I’ve always thought it’d be cool to go into something like anthropology, archaeology, geology, or really anything in the sciences!

 

Want to learn more about Rose? Email us to find out more and to set up a free trial lesson!