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What are private lessons?
Playing an instrument is an individual skill and art form. Private lessons are a way to give your student a competitive edge in the most competitive orchestra region in Texas as well as within our high-achieving orchestra program at Centennial.
In orchestra class, we teach with the goal of all our students being proficient on their instruments. Those who focus and practice at home will do very well! However, in most beginner classes, we teach with a one teacher to 30-40 student ratio that does not allow for extended periods of time to be spent on individual technique. Private lessons provide the one-on-one feedback that students need to excel and be competitive.
Frisco ISD is part of the most competitive orchestra region in the state of Texas. Students with at least one year of experience on their instrument have the opportunity to audition for our All-Region orchestra every fall. The audition music is extremely difficult and the competition is fierce. The students who start in private lessons as beginners, consistently take them throughout the year, and follow through in subsequent years are the students who have a chance at making the prestigious region orchestra each fall. At least 98% of the region orchestra members are in private lessons.
Beyond region competitions, lessons provide other opportunities: Every year, students are invited to participate in the solo & ensemble contest in the spring. This is an opportunity for students who are involved in lessons to shine and show the level of solo musicianship they have developed.
Auditions take place at the end of the school year for placement in one of Centennial's six advanced ensembles. Students who take lessons almost always place higher than those who do not.
Lessons aren't only about being competitive. When a student takes on the challenge of learning a stringed instrument, they are starting a lifelong journey of learning and refining techniques to make beautiful music. Lessons are not a short term fix-all, but a long term commitment to being a competent and growing musician. As students grow physically, they will need to adjust their techniques. As they develop a love for their instrument, they will want to learn more than the classroom environment is able to provide.
How do lessons work?
Lessons are a full school year commitment. They are available as pull-outs during orchestra class once a week or outside of the school day. Most lessons take place during the school day, however they can take place before/after school. Older, more competitive students usually choose to take lessons outside of the school day to be able to take longer lessons each week.
It is important to get signed up with a qualified teacher. There are many teachers in the area – some are more qualified than others. Some teachers or schools of music will happily take your money, but have no idea how to teach with proper technique. Make sure you are receiving lessons from a competent teacher by contacting Ms. Bell to get paired with a recommended lesson teacher. Lesson availability goes quickly, and we often have a waitlist. Lessons will be filled first-come, first-served. If you are interested in lessons, please fill out the form below as soon as possible and we will get you connected with a teacher.
Meet our Private Lessons Teachers!
Ha Dang
​Violin
​Dr. Ha Viet Dang was a winner of Vietnam's Concours Autumn Competition, Thailand's Mozart International String Competition, and Adams-Nordstrom Early Music Award at the University of North Texas. Dr. Dang has appeared as soloist with the Dallas Bach Society and University of North Texas's Baroque Orchestra.
Dr. Dang has performed at music festivals across the world such as the American Bach Soloists Academy, Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute in Canada, Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute, Valdres Music Festival in Norway, Vietnam Connection Music Festival, and the Canton International Summer Music Academy. While she was a member of the Fantasmi Baroque Ensemble and Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra, she toured in Germany, Austria, and France. Currently, she performs with the Dallas Bach Society and the Sherman Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to her performing career, Dr. Dang maintains her own studio and holds the position of string instructor at both Lewisville and Frisco ISD. Her students have participated in Texas All-Region orchestras, received medals for the Best Soloist in the solo ensemble contest and awards at string competitions. Through her teaching, she hopes to instill the love of music to the younger generation while making an impact on students' musical success.
Ha was born in Vietnam. At the age of nine she took up residence at the Vietnam National Academy of Music. She then completed her Bachelor's degree at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore, where she received full scholarship to study with professor Zuo Jun. She received her Master's degree along with her Doctor of Musical Arts in violin performance from the University of North Texas (UNT). While at UNT she studied with professor Julia Bushkova on modern violin and professor Cynthia Roberts on Baroque violin. During her graduate studies she received multiple scholarships and was the orchestra assistant for the Baroque Orchestra at UNT.
Ethan Rouse
Ethan Rouse is a violist currently based in Plano, TX, where he is active as a performer and teacher. He is a graduate of the Royal College of Music, London, where he earned a Master of Performance degree as a student of Jonathan Barritt. He also holds a Master of Music and a Bachelor of Music, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of North Texas, where he studied with Susan Dubois and Daphne Gerling. He performs often with the orchestras of Plano, Richardson, and Irving, TX, among others. While in London, he performed as principal viola of the RCM Opera, Philharmonic, Conductors, and Baroque Orchestras. He also performed as co-principal of the RCM Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. Notable chamber music engagements include performances at The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace and at the British Ambassador's Residence in Washington D.C. He is a passionate teacher, having previously held a teaching fellowship at the University of North Texas.
Currently, he maintains a private studio in Plano and Frisco, TX, and is a frequent guest clinician and sectional coach. Also active in historical performance, he performs as a baroque violist in a number of ensembles in the Dallas, TX area. Highlights in this area include a performance at St. Martin in the Fields, London, with Ensemble Sylvatica, appearances at the Boston Early Music Festival, and a concert tour of Germany and Austria with the Fantasmi Baroque Ensemble. He studied baroque viola with Cynthia Roberts, and performs on an instrument made by Gabriel Bolioli. At present, he is chair of the American Viola Society's Youth Advisory Council.
Check him out at: https://www.ethanrouse.com/
Christopher Phillpott
Deemed an "exquisite" soloist and "fastidious continuo cellist" by The Dallas Morning News, Christopher Phillpott performs regularly on cello, baroque cello, and viola da gamba while maintaining a thriving studio in North Texas. He has performed with such ensembles as Lumedia Musicworks, Dallas Bach Society, Denton Bach Players, Orchestra of New Spain, Austin Baroque Orchestra, Tallahassee Bach Parley, the Early Music America Young Performer's Festival Ensemble (Boston, MA), and for special events with the New England chapter of the Viola da Gamba Society of America.
He holds a bachelor's degree in cello performance and a master's degree in musicology from Texas Christian University, as well as an Early Music Certificate from the Florida State University. During his graduate studies at TCU and FSU, Mr. Phillpott researched and presented extensively on the emerging French cello repertoire of the early 18th century, having earned the Michael Winesanker Musicology Grant which allowed him to travel to and consult the collections of the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Other scholarly topics of interest include Frank Zappa, literary themes in the music of Schumann and Schubert, and the music of the Counter-Reformation, on which he has presented for the Society for American Music and national and regional conferences for the American Musicological Society.
Troy Tippawang
Troy attended Southern Methodist University for both his undergraduate and master's degrees in double bass performance. While there, he studied with Thomas Lederer and Brian Perry of the Dallas Symphony, and performed in the Meadows Symphony Orchestra and Meadows Wind Ensemble. In addition to large ensemble work, Troy has performed in everything from string duets to large chamber ensembles. From vocal recitals, to choirs, to new composer concerts, Troy has collaborated with all types of musician.Troy has been teaching privately in the North Texas area since 2013, and his students have received top marks in auditions and competitions. Since his start in music at the age of 10, he has gone on to coach chamber ensembles, perform with symphonies, and direct music clinics for middle and high school orchestras.
Troy currently lives in Allen, TX with his wife Hannah, and young son, Samson. In his spare time, he enjoys basketball and playing cards. ​
Extra-Links/Info
​Handbook
​CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA.
CHS Orchestra Officers:
​Officers@CentennialOrch.com