Succeed on stage, Succeed in life.

Private violin, viola, fiddle, and audition preparation lessons that help students excel.

Our approach

Making progress as a musician can be difficult. Choosing the right teacher, learning new pieces, developing technique, overcoming stage fright — it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. Learning to be a performing artist is a beautiful gift to give yourself or your child, but without the right guidance, it can be frustrating.

We take a holistic approach to musical training, stressing strong, Juilliard-level technique, excellent practice habits, and creative goal setting that helps keep students curious and passionate about their progress. We also offer comprehensive, in-depth lessons on mental preparation for playing under pressure, so that "nerves" don't get in the way of confident, exciting performances.

Private, personalized instructions for excellence

With over 60 years combined teaching experience helping students excel as violinists, fiddle players, and young composers, we help all our students create music that’s as unique as they are.

In initial lessons, we'll determine the musical strengths, weaknesses, habits, technique levels, and aspirations that you or your child have for music. Then, a unique and dynamic learning plan - our "Musical Map" - is created, ready to begin following as the weekly lessons unfold. (Personalized Musical Maps constantly evolve and change over time, just as we all do!)

Download our Practice Guide

Mental preparation for success

Our co-founder, JoAnna Farrer, was accepted as a Juilliard student at age 6, and first performed as soloist at Lincoln Center at age 7. With over 30 years professional experience as a soloist and chamber musician, she has developed and refined advanced techniques for performing confidently under pressure.

At Artemis, we take struggles with 'stage fright' seriously, and help our students prepare to do their best and reach their full potential in auditions, recordings, and performances.

Mental preparation skills require training and care to develop, and the confidence they provide can have massive impacts for a lifetime, both on stage and off. We happily work with students of all ages & backgrounds, in music and other fields!

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What students are saying

"JoAnna has been my teacher since 2013, and I feel so lucky to know her and learn from her. I am 43 years old and had wanted to play the violin as a child, but never had the opportunity, so about 9 years ago I decided I wanted to learn. I knew almost nothing when I started working with JoAnna, but she was incredibly patient and encouraging, and I am so grateful to her. Now I can play beautiful pieces, including duets with friends. [...] JoAnna is simply the best. I adore working with her, just like anyone would, and recommend her highly."

- Marie R., Brooklyn, NYC

"JoAnna is a patient, talented, strict-but-kind teacher, and we're so happy we found her studio three years ago! Almost all of Julia's lessons have been via Zoom, especially in the last two years, but we've watched her skill on the violin blossom, and her love of music turn into something she'll have with her for the rest of her life. The sooner you start lessons with JoAnna the better!"

- Amanda L., Philadelphia, PA

"I don't know where we'd be without Darryl and JoAnna! Our son started composition lessons with Darryl in 2019, and has also worked with JoAnna to help him prepare for competitions and tests. Both Darryl and JoAnna are so calm and never flustered, and they always seem to know how to motivate their students with new goals and challenges. We've watched them work with kids of almost all ages, and we really can't recommend them enough."

- Sara T., Vancouver, B.C.