Welcome to my website! I am a freelance violinist and music teacher in New York City, and the founder of the Hayden Music Academy (www.haydenmusicacademy.com). I also serve as concertmaster of the Greenwich Village Orchestra.
BIO
LESSONS
GREENWICH VILLAGE ORCHESTRA
LISTEN
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
NEED A VIOLINIST?
BIO
Robert Hayden began studying the violin at age 10. Just a few years later he participated in the New York State School of Orchestral Studies where he was tutored by Norman Carroll, former concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Throughout his high school career he performed in numerous orchestras and music festivals and also participated in a European tour at age 16. At 17 he received a perfect score at the New York State School Music Association’s annual competition. Later that year he was selected to attend the illustrious Tanglewood Institute as a member of the Young Artist’s Orchestra where he performed under world-renowned conductors including Seiji Ozawa and Andre Previn. During his senior year of high school he served as concertmaster for several orchestras, and was the only student from his school to be selected to attend both the All State and All Eastern conference orchestras.
After high school he pursued a Music Performance degree at Boston University where he studied with Yuri Mazurkevich. He also attended the Chautauqua Institution music program, performing in the Music School Festival Orchestra. Additionally he performed in numerous chamber ensembles and master classes under world-famous pedagogues such as Joseph Silverstein and Sergiu Luca.
During the mid 1990’s he took a break from classical music to pursue his interests in songwriting. For several years he regularly performed at several Boston nightclubs, including Club Passim. He also had the opportunity to open for nationally-recognized artists such as Jen Trynin and Hamell on Trial. He released a solo CD in 1999.
Upon moving to New York several years ago he re-dedicated himself to his love for classical music by joining the Greenwich Village Orchestra’s first violin section in 2006. In August 2009 he was named as concertmaster of the Greenwich Village Orchestra. He also participates in numerous chamber music groups throughout New York.
LESSONS
PRIVATE LESSONS:
I teach group and private violin, viola, cello, bass and piano lessons throughout New York City. Private lessons are taught in a Manhattan-based studio or in the student’s home. I teach students of all ages and abilities, from beginners with no musical training to advanced students looking to refine their technique. I utilize only the best, most time-tested teaching methods while offering a personal, caring approach to each lesson. Lessons are catered to each student’s desires and interests. Additionally I implement multiple aspects of music training into each lesson plan, including music theory, chord progressions, ear training, orchestration (for intermediate and advanced students), music history, and music appreciation.
Beginners (students with little to no musical experience) – I utilize a combination of methodologies, mostly based on the Suzuki method, to teach beginning students the most essential elements of left and right-hand technique as well as the basics of reading music notation, understanding rhythm, and the development of ear training. The beginning stage of learning is most critical for all instruments as it is important to learn the proper technique for developing correct finger and hand placement right at the start. So many advanced students had to “re-learn” these techniques as they did not learn the correct way the first time, and therefore it is so much easier to get it right from the beginning! Provided that they practice and do their appropriate exercises, students tend to catch on very quickly if taught correctly.
Note for beginners: If you are a beginner on violin, viola, cello and bass I also teach beginner group classes through my music school, the Hayden Music Academy. For more information please visit the school’s website at www.haydenmusicacademy.com.
Intermediate (students with a few years of experience) – Like with beginners, I tend to utilize a combination of methods with intermediate students. I find that no two students are built alike, as everyone has certain strengths and weaknesses. As a result I find it impractical to use a single-track approach with intermediate students. As for example for developing left-hand technique for violin and viola players I use several series of foundation studies and études, including those of Wohlfahrt and Kreutzer. For right-hand technique I have a few self-made exercises (in addition to those in Wohlfahrt and Kreutzer) which work exceptionally well. I also introduce students to intermediate student concerti, beginning with those of Vivaldi, Bach and Mozart, and working towards other more difficult works including the Bach unaccompanied sonatas and partitas.
Advanced (students with many years of experience) – Violin and viola students only. Such as with intermediate students, an individualized approach is necessary as all advanced students have various strengths and weaknesses to their playing. Since the student may also have different objectives, such as preparing for an audition or a solo recital or performance, it is important for the teacher to develop a lesson plan which will afford the student to reach their specific goals in an efficient manner. Students at this level tend to work on the most advanced études and caprices (Dont, Rode, Paganini), sonatas (Beethoven, Prokofiev, Ysaye unaccompanied), and concerti (Brahms, Beethoven, Saint-Saens 3, Lalo Symphonie Espagnole, etc.). I have also helped students preparing for orchestral auditions which require standard repertoire, such as Don Juan by Richard Strauss and the Scherzo movement from Schumann’s Symphony no. 2.
RATES: The first lesson is free of charge. Future lessons are as follows:
In-Studio:
60-minutes: $50
90-minutes: $75
120-minutes: $90
In-Home:
60-minutes: $60
90-minutes: $85
120-minutes: $100
Please email the instructor directly (instructor@haydenmusicacademy.com) or visit the Academy’s website at www.haydenmusicacademy.com for more information.
GREENWICH VILLAGE ORCHESTRA
The Greenwich Village Orchestra was founded in 1986 by a group of musicians from the New York Metropolitan area. We are accountants, actors, artists, attorneys, carpenters, editors, physicians, professors, programmers, retirees, scientists, secretaries, students, teachers, writers, and dedicated musicians.
For the last twenty years The Greenwich Village Orchestra has had a single purpose; to bring the best possible performances of great music to our audience. The GVO is committed to making music at the highest possible level and dedicated to enriching the lives of our players and our audience. Our performances are emotionally charged, exhilarating experiences that truly delight our audiences and the performers alike.
LISTEN
The Greenwich Village Orchestra takes great pride in performing high-level classical music. Take a moment to listen to a few excerpts of the GVO’s past concert performances:
Mahler Symphony no. 4, Scherzo (from April 2010 concert – with concertmaster solos!)
Shostakovich Symphony no. 5, Scherzo (from February 2010 concert – with concertmaster solo!)
Dvorak Symphony no. 9, Finale (from November 2009 concert)
Gershwin Cuban Overture (from October 2009 concert)
Respighi Pines of Rome (from October 2009 concert)
Haydn Symphony no. 102 (from May 2009 concert)
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique (from November 2008 concert)
Sibelius Symphony no. 5 (from February 2009 concert)
Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture (from April 2007 concert)
Stravinsky Firebird Suite (from May 2007 concert)
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
The 2011 – 2012 season of the Greenwich Village Orchestra will begin on October 2rd, 2011 at 3pm with an all-Dvorak concert. Please visit www.gvo.org in mid-August for additional information about our upcoming concerts and performers.
Also, please add March 25, 2012 at 3pm to your calendars, for this will be the premiere of Robert Hayden performing the Khachaturian Violin Concerto with the GVO!
NEED A VIOLINIST?
Need a violinist for that special occasion? I am available for all special events, including weddings, dinner parties, graduations, and other festive occasions. Contact rjh4736@yahoo.com for rates and availability.
ROBERT HAYDEN 