From my beginnings as a student at at age 5, I have been privileged to receive some of the best musical instruction available. First and foremost I credit my parents, particularly my mother, who dedicated her life to teaching music and positioned her children to learn from true musical masters.

My first teacher, Edward Kreitman, provided me with a perfectly balanced setup and encouraged musical instincts that formed the basis for all subsequent developments. Each successive teacher I have worked with deserves praise for their input on my musical growth:

• Cyrus Forough, for imparting his knowledge of the Franco-Belgian school learned from Arthur Grumiaux, as well as the Russian school learned from Daivd Oistrakh, and a mix of the two in studies with Josef Gingold. I play my scales with careful patience due to his instruction.

• Desirée Ruhstrat, for whipping me into shape with firmness and love, pedagogical traits no doubt learned from her studies with Aaron Rosand, Josef Gingold, Dorothy Delay.

• Laurie Smukler, who gave me my first big chance and many subsequent opportunities to develop my artistry, particularly in chamber music studies. A student of Ivan Galamian, Donald Weilerstein, and Robert Mann, her grace and passion left an indellible impression on me.

• Daniel Phillips, from whom I attempted to glean some pieces of his inimitable musical style and learned from his patience as a teacher, traits most certainly picked up during his studies with his father Eugene Phillips, Sándor Végh, Ivan Galamian, and Sally Thomas.

• Marka Gustavsson, a student of Mimi Zweig, Josef Gingold, and Felix Galimir, who encouraged my growth into a second beloved instrument (the viola), for which I am eternally grateful.

• Luis García Renart, who studied with Sándor Veress, Sándor Végh, and Pablo Casals, had a massive impact on my musical growth. He often pushed his students to question musical convention as an exercise in searching for new ideas, which had the effect instilling a higher level of respect for varied interpretations. Luis taught me that respecting and trusting in the creative process will reveal our musical truths.

Each of these incredible musicians taught me invaluable lessons, contributing to a broad array of musical, technical, and philosophical tools I am eager to share with my own students. Teaching ignites something within me that can be found nowhere else, and I am honored for any opportunity to impart the knowledge I have gained over my musical lifetime.