Oberlin Violin Studio Reviews 

I highly recommend Jessica Oberlin and Oberlin Violin Studio! I’m an intermediate adult violinist who plays purely for enjoyment, and I took four private lessons with Jessica through her summer program. I was looking for someone who could help me identify bad habits I had developed over the years and give me some direction on how to take my playing to the next level.

Jessica quickly identified several areas that were holding me back and gave me very specific exercises and techniques to work on. In just four lessons, my bow hold has improved, I’ve learned to incorporate collé into my bow stroke, and I have a much better understanding of what I need to work on with my intonation and vibrato. She also helped me realize how much tension I was carrying in my left hand and how that was affecting other aspects of my playing.

Jessica is patient, kind, encouraging, and extremely observant. Her online setup is excellent, and I was surprised by how productive private lessons could be virtually.

What I appreciate most, though, is that Jessica understands adult violin students. I had searched for live online instruction before, but most teachers expected a commitment to weekly lessons. As an adult playing for enjoyment, that simply isn’t what I need or have time for. I want expert guidance every few weeks to make sure I’m practicing effectively and moving in the right direction. Jessica offers that kind of flexibility.

Although her studio is especially welcoming to adult beginners, I would absolutely recommend her to intermediate adult players as well. After only four lessons, I feel more confident and excited about my playing because I finally have a clear path for how to continue improving. I’m joining the Oberlin Violin Studio membership program and plan to continue taking private lessons with Jessica as my schedule allows.

I am very grateful that I found Jessica's Oberlin Violin Studio and took the Violin Beginnings Level II course. I am new to studying the violin and after completing the "One Week Challenge", I decided to invest in the Level II Cohort. I have been so impressed with the quality of the instruction, both in the recorded tutorials and the live classes. In our weekly live classes, in addition to the topic of instruction, we were encouraged to ask questions, to play for each other and to develop a community of learners. During class and in response to our video submissions Jessica provided excellent and individualized instruction, feedback and encouragement. I would highly recommend Oberlin Violin Studio.

This is my second time taking group classes with Jessica. She is always a wonderfully patient and encouraging teacher willing to adjust lessons to participants interests.

Jessica is great and is an awesome teacher! The group is fun and was such an encouraging community! I learned so much and plan to continue.

very comprehensive and detailed course. you'll need to devote some time and effort but it's well worth it. take your time and enjoy the journey.

Jessica is an incredible teacher! She is patient, encouraging, and made learning the violin exciting. I was part of the Level I and Level II program, and she didn’t just teach me to play the violin-she helped me understand the techniques and music theory behind the music, which made a huge difference. Thanks to her guidance, my first recital was a wonderful experience. Can't wait to start the next level

I really enjoyed the classes! The self-paced instructions worked well with my busy lifestyle. The feedback from other students kept me optimistic in learning some of the more difficult parts of the learning experience. Overall I would say this class gave me so much for the price!

I am not new to music, but I am new to the violin. As a multi-decade Trombone, I live in the bass cleff. The Suzuki Method teaches you the violin songs with fingerings, then the notes come later. The treble clef wasn’t clicking for me, and that’s when I saw Jessica’s course in my YouTube feed. Her other videos are nice and clear, and this course ups that by a full octave.

Not only are the lessons perfectly spaced and full of downloadable content, but she is engaged with us and very helpful. This course is well worth the money.

I am currently making my way through the sight-reading course. Jessica has structured the course in a way that makes learning quick and stress free.

I have been a violin student for a couple of years. I even have a face-to-face teacher.

However, Oberlin Violin Studio's teaching brought me a great method of learning to sight read.

Flash cards, getting to know the fingerboard, the explanation of key signatures - all explained by the lovely Jessica - have put me in a position where my face-to-face teacher is also learning - about GOOD teaching!

Absolutely outstanding class! I've already learned so much and not even 1/3rd of the way through the material of the sight reading course. Jessica is an excellent teacher, her explanations concise and clear. Having no experience with any musical training/instruments that's saying something! I greatly appreciate the daily exercises embedded in each lesson giving a clear direction to apply the theory being taught. Her personality is very engaging and she spreads her own joy in playing to her students. Though not easy, I am always looking forward to my next free moment to progress in her course.

I had a few violin lessons in my youth and played in school orchestras mostly by ear. Jessica’s systematic presentation of sight-reading, key signatures and the correct tempo has given a boost to my playing.

I find her lessons to be well thought out. The first phase allows me to test my understanding. The second phase, with the answer sheet, lets me model the right notes and understand where I’d been mistaken. The third phase, in which she presents a video to play along with while she demonstrates the correct notes, is very helpful. She offers concise lessons with a wealth of pertinent musical details and no needless digressions. She is focused, cordial and professionally adept. I am practicing more and making more gradual improvements in my understanding and playing than I have in decades.

I joined the beginner’s violin course at Oberlin Violin Studio because I wanted to see if I truly wanted to commit to learning violin. Twenty years ago, I tried learning but felt stuck playing scales and songs I didn’t enjoy, and I eventually gave up.

Jessica’s approach was completely different. We started in a way that felt accessible and engaging, without immediately focusing on reading sheet music. The live online sessions combined with recorded lessons gave flexibility, and being able to post practice videos for feedback was incredibly helpful. The encouragement and constructive guidance kept me motivated.

I also appreciated having choices in song selection. That made practicing enjoyable instead of feeling like an obligation.

Over eight weeks, we progressed from posture and plucking to bowing techniques, first-position notes, scales with context, reading music, and even performance preparation. The mini recital and performance anxiety tips were especially valuable.

This course gave me the confidence and foundation to continue learning. I plan to join Beginner 2 in a few months and would absolutely recommend this class to anyone curious about learning violin as an adult.

If you think you are too old, not musically inclined, or apprehensive, think again! This is my second cohort with Jessica and Oberlin Violin Studio and I am a better violin player because of this class. It has been such a blessing getting to be part of this amazing cohort!

I wanted to try the violin but, at 70, I didn't think I could get far at all. After searching through a ton of YouTube videos I ran across Jessica's series of free lessons.

Her easy going approach to teaching attracted me and just using her free on-line lessons I was able to make some progress so I signed up for her Violin Beginnings Level 1 course.

I am astounded that in only 8 weeks, I've learned to play several songs including Oh Suzanna, Amazing Grace and Greensleeves, along with sight-reading violin music.

Jessica is very supportive and encouraging. Her video feedback is excellent: concise and to the point. Without her help, I'm convinced it would have been many, many months to achieve my current level of playing.

Highly recommend you give her a try if you're new to violin!

Jessica is a true professional and an exceptional teacher. It's almost impossible to find a violin teacher who is a master of their craft but also has the ability to teach any level and inspire students to practice and love beautiful music. My daughter was challenged but not overwhelmed and made amazing progress under Jessica's instruction. Jessica is a treasure!

Jessica is a wonderful teacher. My son and I had the opportunity to take parent/child violin lessons and she is patient, talented and so kind. We were so sad she moved out of our area. We highly recommend working with Jessica!

We did not have the fortune to have a long relationship with Ms. Jessica, however, the time we did have was precious and instructive. My daughters violin experience was wonderful and fruitful and they looked forward to lessons. From the mom's perspective, lessons were also fun and very much age appropriate with information and help to me as someone who has never played a violin and knew nothing at the get go.