About Ann Arbor Violin Lessons

“Whether you are an amateur looking to polish your technique, a beginner with no previous experience, or an accomplished violinist looking for advice and professional guidance, I am happy to offer my help as a private instructor and mentor.”

About Henrik Karapetyan

Henrik Karapetyan portrait

  • European and American training with world class musicians
  • 18 years teaching experience
  • Graduate Student Instructor teaching appointment at the University of Michigan 2007-2010
  • Students accepted in major universities in USA
  • Mentorship at Detroit Civic Orchestra – 2002-2006
  • Private instructor of Violin/Viola at Evola Music Studios 2003-2012
  • Elementary and Middle School Teaching
  • Summer music camp teaching
  • Experience with very young beginners as well as adult students
  • Numerous appearances as a clinician, coach and adjudicator in regional youth orchestras
 

Click Here to Inquire About Lessons

 

My approach is strictly individual and tailored to meet your goals and intentions. The length and frequency of lessons, practice methods, expected individual practice time, repertoire and the time-frame of expected progress are all established according to your schedule and goals. There are two main aspects of my teaching that will always remain unchanged: the quality of work and expected performance; and constant attention to the basics.

We couldn’t have found a better instructor for our son!  Henrik is an excellent musician and teacher.  His patience is obvious and his teaching style is positive as well as “results” oriented.  We appreciate his diligence and conscientiousness with our son’s lessons. Because of Henrik, our son enjoys playing the violin and has made great progress.
—Deb Kusluski

While a high level of playing doesn’t necessarily guarantee a high level of teaching, I believe it is important for a teacher to be active as a performer, as well. As a professional violinist I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to explore nearly every field of my profession: Solo, chamber music, orchestra playing (section player, as well as concertmaster), competitions, period performance practice, folk music, etc. These performing experiences have been indispensable for me to prepare my students to become successful professionals.

Henrik was a great teacher. He not only strived to bring out the best musically in his student during his teaching, he also focused on both right and left [hand] techniques. After a semester of his teachings, I felt that I improved a great deal both in technique and musically.
—Mike Zhu, Masters student, University of Michigan

My methods of teaching are best described as a hybrid of Russian/European and American principles. I concentrate on basics and technique, yet I always teach technique in the context of music. In a sense, I never really separate one from the other. I am a firm believer of the Suzuki method, but I apply it only in the initial stages of training (I do retain many aspects of it throughout my teaching at any level). I am open to individual styles and choices of interpretation as long as they are aesthetically justified and stylistically consistent. Overall I try to transmit my knowledge, not just information.

It is so very rare to come across somebody as musical as this. He is not only a great performer and a great teacher, but he is a great musician, and to be able to honestly say that about someone is truly a special thing.
—Nathan Kamal

I am at home equally with most ages and levels. Along with my university teaching experiences I have always had a sufficient body of young students and adult beginners. My recommended age for starting violin is five although I have had a few four-year-olds in the past. As for adults, any age is good as long as you feel young enough to start learning something new and exciting!

  Click Here to Inquire About Lessons  

Hear What Others Have To Say

“Henrik was a very patient instructor who clearly cared about the progress of his students. Having learnt music at a young age, reading notes and playing the pieces were not hard for me but mastering the correct techniques and producing good sounds were always a problem. Henrik patiently started from the basics and helped me acquire a better idea of violin-playing. The techniques he taught were very useful to help shape the correct way of playing. He was also a very friendly and interesting instructor who was always happy to share experiences and provide advice.” —Wan Ying Teoh, University of Michigan
“Dr. Karapetyan, or simply Henri as our family has always fondly called him, has been an inspiration to our boys for 4 years now. One trait that makes him an exceptional teacher is his patience in working with children. His patience coupled with his ability to communicate music/ musical concepts/ violin techniques with children inspire the children to learn music and be better at it. He encourages a strong work ethic and requires them to do their best without being intimidating. The little pointers and tricks he teaches them make violin playing fun and accessible without oversimplifying the complexity of music and violin playing. His guidance and his encouragement have encouraged our children to play in youth orchestra, win prizes in competitions, and get selected for the Blue Lake music camp. Needless to say, our boys love him. But, so does our whole family. Thank you Henri, for the sweet music in our lives!” —The Kattemalavadis
 

For More Information

Studio Policies

For more information, please refer to my current studio policies.


Contact

If you would like more information regarding private instruction please see my studio policies document linked above.

If you still have questions or to inquire regarding lesson availability, you may contact me using the simple form below or by any of the methods contained within the studio policies document.

You may provide as little as your name and email or include a more detailed message if you’d like. If you prefer a response by telephone, please provide your phone number and the best time to reach you.

I try to respond to all messages as soon as possible, usually within 24-48hrs. Thank you.