A 4-Week Cohort for Adult Beginners and Returning Players
Violin Kickstart
Learn violin with guidance, structure, and beginners and returning players beside you. Most adults don't stop learning because they aren't musical. Practicing alone can simply feel confusing or overwhelming. The Violin Kickstart is a small, supportive community cohort designed to help you begin with confidence and build a practice habit that can last.
What's included
Support for starting—and continuing.
For $149, the founding cohort combines live instruction, individual guidance, and practical support between sessions.
- Four live group classes that build confidence week by week
- One 30-minute private lesson focused on your individual goals
- Weekly personalized feedback so you know what to practice next
- Direct communication with Rae when questions come up
- Exclusive access and a voice in shaping Practice Pals, our violin practice coaching app for round-the-clock support between classes
Is this for you?
A supportive way to start—or begin again.
Violin Kickstart is designed for adults who want a clear, encouraging path into violin without the pressure of figuring everything out alone. This may be a good fit if:
- You're curious about violin but have never played.
- You played years ago and want an affordable refresh.
- You're unsure about starting or returning on your own.
- You want structure and personal guidance instead of piecing together YouTube videos.
What this is
A starting point, not a performance
Violin Kickstart was created for adults who have always wondered what learning violin might be like, as well as players returning after time away for an affordable way to begin again—all without pressure, comparison, or the expectation of already knowing what they're doing.
Over four weeks, you'll learn how the violin is held, how sound is made, and how to approach practice in manageable steps. Sessions are held live online, with optional in-person support available for local Denver students when applicable. The first session does not require an instrument—you can simply arrive with curiosity and see how it feels.
This isn't about becoming a performer in four weeks. It's about discovering whether violin can become something meaningful in your life.
You don't need an instrument for the first session—just curiosity.
Not sure how you'll get a violin? Read my beginner guide →
A different kind of beginning
Learning how to continue matters, too.
Many beginner courses focus primarily on the notes you will learn. Violin Kickstart also helps you understand how to keep learning after class.
- Begin with manageable steps.
- Learn alongside other adult beginners and returning players rebuilding their confidence.
- Build confidence before adding complexity.
- Create a practice approach that fits real life.
- Discover whether violin belongs in your future.
Help shape something new
A better experience between lessons.
I've spent more than twenty years teaching violin. One pattern I've seen again and again is that beginners often struggle not because they lack ability, but because practicing between lessons can feel overwhelming.
That's why I'm developing Practice Pals, a teacher-guided practice tool designed to make home practice feel more approachable through short, manageable practice sessions.
Members of this first Violin Kickstart cohort will have the opportunity to try an early version and share honest feedback about what helps and what could be clearer.
You aren't being asked to become a software expert. You'll be helping shape a better learning experience for future beginners.
Planned timeline
A four-week beginning September 22.
The first Violin Kickstart cohort begins Tuesday, September 22, 2026, and meets weekly through October 13.
- Starts: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
- Meets: Weekly on Tuesdays through October 13 (Sept 22, Sept 29, Oct 6, Oct 13)
- Time: 5:00–6:10 PM Mountain Time
- Format: Four weekly live online group sessions
- Cohort cost: $149 for all four sessions, payable only if you enroll once registration opens
Joining the list doesn't require payment or commit you to enrolling—it just means I'll follow up personally with enrollment details before the cohort begins.
Not sure what the four weeks actually look like? Read what to expect →
Join the Founding Cohort
Join the Violin Kickstart Founding Cohort Waitlist
Whether you're starting violin for the first time or returning after time away, this founding cohort is designed to meet you where you are.
The founding cohort begins Tuesday, September 22, 2026, meeting live online every Tuesday through October 13, from 5:00–6:10 PM Mountain Time.
I'll personally contact people on this waitlist when registration opens.
Because this is the first cohort, space will be intentionally limited so I can work closely with each participant.
What happens next
Join the waitlist without committing to enroll.
Joining gives you first access when registration opens.
- Join the waitlist. Share your contact information and a little about where you're starting from.
- I'll personally email you. I'll follow up with cohort details and any important updates.
- Mark your calendar. The schedule is already set: Tuesdays, September 22–October 13, 5:00–6:10 PM Mountain Time.
- Registration opens. Waitlist members will receive the enrollment details first.
- Then you decide whether to enroll. Joining the waitlist does not require payment or commit you to the cohort.
Helpful before you begin
Questions about getting started?
These short guides can help you understand the practical side of beginning or returning to violin.
- How to choose your first violin → A practical guide to renting vs. buying, what to spend, and what to avoid.
- Do I need a violin before the first session? → No—the first Kickstart session doesn't require an instrument at all.
- Can beginners really learn violin online? → How live online lessons still provide real feedback and structure.
- What should I expect when starting violin? → A walkthrough of what actually happens in an early violin lesson.
- What if I haven't played in years? → A realistic look at rebuilding skill and confidence as a returning adult player.
- How much should a beginner practice? → What consistent, sustainable practice actually looks like early on.