Viola Innocenti

I grew up in the countryside in Florence in an artist family that always gave me the inspiration to create. My mom was a restorer and sometimes she used to play the piano. I started to play the piano when I was 7 years old and then I decided to continue my studies with the violin. I currently play the viola to which I feel very much connected for its warm sound, colors and its role in both chamber music and orchestra. 

I obtained my Bachelor's degree in "Scuola di Musica di Fiesole" in Italy and my Master's degree in "Codarts University of the Arts" in Rotterdam; I'm currently freelancing in The Netherlands in different orchestras and ensembles, such as Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest, Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest, Metropole Orkest, Doelenensemble, Ciconia Consort and Noies string quartet. Since 2022 I'm member of Batavierhuis, an artist house based in Rotterdam. 

Music gives us the opportunity to connect and disconnect at the same time from this world and to live a whole new experience with our emotions, spiritual and inner world and senses, bringing the audience with you. I would like to bring also my students with me in this journey, learning and discovering together new ways of bringing what we have inside to the outside in a unique way.

During my Bachelor's studies in Italy I studied teaching methodology and I had the chance to teach violin to children. This experience allowed me to discover my passion for teaching and to enter in the magic process of giving and receiving; I believe that every student, of every age, has something to give to his/her teacher and the other way around if there's an harmonic and positive environment. 

As every person has his own physiognomy and musculature, we will try to find together a correct and comfortable posture that better suits the student to create a connection with the instrument. Warming-up and taking care of our body is part of a musician's life (beginner, amateur or professional) and it is important to prevent injuries and muscle pain. Unfortunately this aspect is not often taken into account and for this reason I aim to transmit this value to my students. 

I teach to students of every age, beginners or advanced.

What to expect from a lesson:

Feeling good with your body and listening to it, understanding where the sound comes from and how to produce it, learning the basics and how to read the notes and the score, learning tricks and daily exercises without the instrument to help you develop your agility and muscles, playing together duets to get closer to the chamber music world and to learn how to listen and collaborate with others. I think it's important to listen also to the student's requests and desires; if you have a tune or a piece that you would love to play we can work on it together.

Folk music is also an interesting way through which we can get closer to the instrument and the music world, playing traditional dances from different countries and discovering different music languages. 

Where to find your insturment:

For the first trial lesson you can play on my instrument, since I have a violin and a viola. From the second lesson (or when we agree on this) I recommend you to buy or rent the instrument and bow in a Luthier's shop for a better quality or in a music shop (there are different sizes). Also the shoulder rest is important to be more comfortable and hold the instrument (there are different types of shoulder rests and also a little sponge can be used at the beginning). I will guide you in choosing your instrument!

I play the viola and I will teach technical/musical skills, how to read the notes and how to interpret the piece. 

It's very important to strenght and stretch your body and to warm-up before and after playing to prevent muscles injuries. The sound is created by your body and especially from your back; I will teach how and where to feel the sound in your body to be One with your instrument.
Each of us has a different musculature and physique and together we will find the posture that better fits you. If we try to find a way to feel comfortable even in an uncomfortable situation, we already reached an achievement in music and life. In this way we can be unique, evaluating our qualities and musicality.

I believe that chamber music is fundamental in the process of learning music. I want to give my students the opportunity to play together in duet and eventually in bigger ensembles, creating magic and connections with other people.

I will teach in English and Italian.