Nicole Scoffield

B.Mus., Certified Teacher, Member of BCRMTA, Recording Artist

Biography and Teaching Philosophy.

Nicole Scoffield is an accomplished violinist who has been performing and teaching in southwest British Columbia for over fifteen years. While studying music at the University of Victoria, she concentrated on classical violin performance, but since she graduated, she has become acquainted with more modern and improvisatory styles of music. Besides playing the violin in numerous bands and orchestras she is a rounded performer who composes, arranges and sings lead occasionally. A musician’s musician this girl can go from Bach to Rock.

After finishing her bachelor’s degree, Nicole completed UVic’s post degree professional program in teaching. Since then she has taught individual, semi-private and group classes in both public and private institutions.

Nicole’s teaching style is influenced by the repertoire she learned growing up as well as the different musical genres in which she performs. She believes that proper technique is essential in order to enable a student to perform whatever he wants. Additionally she believes that it is important to include all aspects of musical development in a person, thus she includes aural, reading and improvisational exercises in her lessons.

Nicole uses the Suzuki and the Royal Conservatory of Music grade books in her lessons for beginners. She also enhances her students’ experience by teaching them some fiddle tunes. She often writes arrangements aimed at helping her students improve on a specific area in which they may need practice. She has two books which contain helpful exercises and fiddle arrangements for beginners and intermediate players.

This teacher knows that it is important for a student to have goals. That is why she occasionally tests her students and encourages them to perform whenever possible. She has found that group performance experience is ideal for getting the novice player out in front of an audience. Nicole also accompanies her beginner students on the piano when she is able.

With the opening of her own teaching studio in Vancouver, located at the Broadway Academy of the Arts, she is excited to share her love of music with pupils of all ages.
Nicole welcomes any budding violinists and fiddlers who are interested in having classes with her.