We are thrilled to introduce our newest online viola and violin teacher!
Educational Background
After serving as concertmaster for the National Youth Orchestra and as the youngest member of the National Symphony Orchestra in his native Uruguay, violinist Geronimo Oyenard attended the College of Charleston on a full scholarship, where he obtained his Bachelor’s in Arts and an Artist’s Certificate in Performance. He furthered his musical studies at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), where he received a Master’s Degree in Performance, and at the University of Oklahoma, where he completed his DMA in Performance.
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Teaching Background
As an educator, Dr. Oyenard was a sabbatical replacement for Hal Grossman’s undergraduate violin class at the University of Oklahoma (2017). He has been on faculty at the Norman School for Strings, the UNCSA Community Music School, the Performing Arts Institute of Virginia, Bluefield State College, and was the Roanoke Symphony’s Strings Instructor for three years. In this position, Dr. Oyenard created and directed Suzuki-based violin programs for many public school districts, taught underprivileged students for the Friends of the RSO, coached the Roanoke Youth Symphony, judged its annual concerto competition, and taught at their Summer Music Institute. As Artist-in Residence for Franklin County Public Schools, Dr. Oyenard directed an in-school Suzuki-based program that reached over 60 elementary and middle-school children every week. A certified Suzuki instructor, Dr. Oyenard has taught for the Lynchburg City Schools Suzuki Program and is currently a Teaching Artist for the Dallas Symphony’s Young Musicians program and an upper strings instructor for Founders Classical Academy and Plano and Rockwall ISDs.
Personality/Teaching Style
As a teacher, Dr. Oyenard is approachable, communicative, professional, versatile, and deeply cares about each student’s growth in and beyond the studio. His highly methodical and analytical teaching approach is the result of years of performing and teaching. A lifelong learner, Dr. Oyenard takes the best elements from many successful violin methods and approaches to to deliver a personalized learning experience that best suits each student’s level and needs.
What others are saying about Dr. Oyenard:
His teaching style is that of a gifted natural-born teacher who has put years of study and practical experience into passing on his enormous abilities.
His strength is that he is an all-around musician, who can do just about anything: teach, arrange, compose, perform, lead an ensemble, do research on performance practice, lecture on Mozart and Beethoven…
I would certainly recommend him to a friend. He is such a great musician, and is thoughtful, articulate, and personable. I am sure he would treat every student as an individual with particular learning styles and musical preferences.
He has my highest recommendation.
Professor of Musicology, OU School of Music
I’m happy to write with my wholehearted support of Geronimo Oyenard. I have known Geronimo since 2005, when he enrolled at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to pursue a Master’s degree as my student. Since completing this degree, he has had lessons with me periodically, and I have appreciated that he has consistently kept in close contact. I have been delighted to hear the fine evolution of his playing, and to be kept informed about the developments in his professional life.
As a teacher, Geronimo is thorough, lucid and patient. Over the years, I have been impressed by the fine preparation of his students who have auditioned at UNCSA, including one young woman I’m very much hoping will enter the school this fall.
Besides his dedication to teaching and playing at the highest level he can imagine, Geromino’s strengths include an unusual ability to connect with people, an infectious good cheer, and a remarkable affinity for maintaining good relations with all kinds of colleagues. He meets difficulties with good humor and good sense. I’d certainly recommend his teaching to any friend, and I have every confidence that you will be pleased with his work.
Professor of Violin and String Department Chair, University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Geronimo is a gentle, caring human being who works hard and is supportive of those around him.
Professor of Viola University of Delaware
Special Skills
Dr. Oyenard is currently Assistant Principal Second Violin with the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Arkansas and plays regularly with the Tulsa Symphony & Ballet and the Victoria Symphony. He has also played with the Charleston Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the West Virginia Symphony, the Virginia Symphony, the Richmond Symphony, the Roanoke Symphony, Opera on the James, and the Williamsburg Symphonia. He has served as concertmaster and soloist with the Lynchburg Symphony, the New River Valley Orchestra, and the College of Charleston and UNCSA orchestras. As a chamber musician, Dr. Oyenard has been a member of the Charleston Promusica early music ensemble, and the Stern Scholar and Blue Ridge string quartets. Dr. Oyenard has also participated in numerous summer chamber music workshops and orchestral festivals in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Austria, Spain, and France. He has performed frequently as recitalist for the Roanoke College, Hollins University, and College of Charleston faculty series.
In his spare time, Dr. Oyenard enjoys arranging popular film, TV, and videogame music for strings.
If you would like to inquire about viola or violin lessons with Dr. Oyenard, fill out our quick enrollment form to get started!
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