Viola’s Notes

when we first started looking at music classes in the east bay, viola’s notes kept popping up as an option to explore and we are so happy we did. viola offers different themes during each round of classes (so you might find yourself happily, absentmindedly singing about turkeys in spanish or a swahili counting song while you’re driving) so there’s a ton of variety in the types of songs you sing as well as a wonderful mix of languages. the kids are encouraged to participate in the ways they want to (dancing, singing, playing instruments or making their own percussion) and viola truly connects with them and channels their energy and interests into each session… needless to say, weekly classes are a highlight of the week!

I am a music teacher in the Oakland Unified School District, and I have a 3 year old daughter.
As you might imagine, getting my daughter into music is very important to me. I am so pleased to have discovered Viola’s wonderful music classes. My daughter absolutely loves her classes, and asks to sing «Viola’s songs» over and over. I love the repertoire that Viola chooses– the music is multicultural, international and unlike some other kids repertoire collections out there, Viola’s material is interesting to both kids and adults. Viola’s classes have a good pace, lots of variety and engage young children’s learning styles expertly. See you in class!

My daughter (and I) take Viola’s Italian music class. It’s very well done. There’s music and dance and story time. The pace is perfect. Kids don’t get bored. Viola has great energy, but isn’t cloying. She now has 2 classes so younger and older kids are separate. Most of the parents speak Italian so we spend the hour almost entirely in Italian. That said, I think a parent who didn’t speak Italian would be welcomed.

Viola is a wonderful music and movement teacher. I can say this after having tried other toddler programs. She has the perfect personality for working with kids plus is a wonderful musician and has a beautiful voice. She puts a lot of creative energy into her classes so they are always engaging. Viola also brings internationalism by introducing songs in many languages.
Viola’s Italian immersion is wonderful for Italian speaking children and families. It is should not be just considered a music class but a language and culture class. Through the music and classroom interaction, my daughter has been introduced to many new words and concepts in Italian and to Italian kids music. She also gets to meet other kids who speak Italian. Through Viola’s class immersion class, my daughter’s linguistic and cultural ties to Italy are immeasurably strengthened.

There are few people you remember from your childhood that stand out like shining lights of fun AND learning — I know Viola will be one of these bright lights for my son. She is an excellent musician, she knows how to engage children of all different ages, and her positive energy is infectious. I have been enrolled in her Italian music class with my son for almost two years now and we have no intention stopping. He loves the class and he loves Viola, as do I! Grazie mille :)

I don’t have enough great things to say about Viola and her classes. We have been going to her Italian Music class for years and both of my children (and myself) are completely in love with her and her class. Even after taking the same class over and over, the course is ALWAYS fresh, with new ideas and infused with Viola’s love of music, kids and her wonderful energy. My kids know dozens and dozens of songs and she has given them a link to our Italian culture that we would never be able to achieve growing up in the US, despite going back every year.
She teaches all kinds of classes, and gives music lessons, which will be using once the kids are a bit bigger. She’s a hidden gem in the music scene in the Bay Area, and we are so lucky to have found her! Sei bravissima!