” Taking lessons from Ms. Choi has been a wonderful experience. As her student, I am truly honored to learn to play violin from her. She has a structured curriculum that she alters a little bit to fit each student. She has prepared me excellently for All-Region competition because she has been through the process before. She pushes me to work hard, but also understands when I have not had time to practice. I appreciate her taking the time to create various masterclasses to control my nerves. As a Juilliard alumna, Ms. Choi definitely knows what it takes to get to the top, and she tries to make every student the best they can possibly be. Ms. Choi has much experience in the music field; she has learned from renowned teachers, Jens Ellermann and Dorothy Delay.”
” She won concertmaster in ninth grade for the All-State High School Orchestra competition, and performed as concertmaster with the Arturo Toscanini , Teatro San Carlo Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra. She has been on a world-tour since the age of 12, which shows her extremely early dedication to the art. She shares her love for music with us, her students. She has inspired me to do something huge during my life, which is an impression no other person has left on me. Taking lessons from her will be a memory that I will always cherish, no matter what I do in life… Thank you Ms.Choi.”
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“Anna is a professional in every sense of the word. Her level of expertise and patience in working with young children was immediately noted when working with my 5 year old daughter, who was taking piano lessons with Ms. Choi. Anna took the time to adapt the lessons specifically to my daughter’s learning style and knowledge level, allowing my daughter’s progress to determine the pace. She consistently used positive reinforcement to establish a sense of confidence and accountability within my daughter by encouraging her to always put forth “her” best effort. I highly recommend Ms. Choi as a music teach whether it is a child or adult seeking to learn the art. You will not be disappointed!”
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“My son makes a 101 things to thankful for and your name is on the list, this is what he wrote: Ms. Anna Choi-For being an AWESOME violin teacher. I will never forget the “lessons” you have taught me. ”
(Mrs. Lee)
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” Hi Miss Choi, We have been listening your music all these days. The more I listened the more I love it. This is the first time I felt my heart is touched by music so deeply. We listened your music when we were having breakfast this morning, and our room is full of sunshine. What a beautiful life. Thank you.”
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” Our 8-year-old daughter has been fortunate to start her violin studies with Anna Choi. To judge from Ms. Choi’s interactions with our daughter, it is clear that Anna fosters excellence in her students. She holds high expectations and teaches proper technique from Day One while being generous with the encouragement that assures students they are capable of meeting the challenges ahead. This is just one example of Ms. Choi’s consummate professionalism, for she understands well that students and their families are ill served by the toleration of bad habits, which could lead to months and possibly years spent correcting substandard skills. Anna Choi has our enthusiastic recommendation, and we feel lucky that our daughter is one of her students!
(Mrs Dragel)
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” We are so lucky to have Ms Choi as our girls’ violin teacher and we are 100% satisfied with her. She is the best violin teacher in the world! She has the genuine gift for both violin playing and teaching young violin players. We listen to Ms Choi’s recording every day and everyone in our family loves it! My favorite piece is Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninoff, and I would say Ms Choi performs way much better than Mr. Itzhak Perlman and Mr. Joshua Bell. Our 7 year old girl just started taking lesson with her about four months ago, and we noticed that her tone improved significantly! Currently my daughter is preparing for the Spring Concert. Previously she does not quite love practice but this time she works really really hard, and she wants to practice! Our another girl will be 5 by next month, and thanks to Ms Choi’s teaching and guidance, our pianist friend told mom that our little girl plays very musical! We are thankful to Ms Choi for motivating our kids and would recommend her to anyone looking for the best teacher! ”
(Mr. Sun)
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” Without Ms. Choi’s teaching and help, it wouldn’t have been possible for my children to get into the All Region orchestra which has no orchestra at school.”
(Mrs. Lee)
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Ms. Choi,
Thank you for having the recital for all of us. It is absolutely a positive educative experience for kids.
Sorry that we do not have much time to talk. Please keep on encouraging Joann to try out All-State. I know she really wants it, but do not have confidence. We all believe she has the ability to do it. The summer is coming and since we are not going anywhere, I hope she can pay more effort on All-State this summer.
I did learn from this recital of your quality and effort on students. Thank you for your hard work on our kids. Very appreciated.”
(Mrs. Gu)
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” It was a great recital. I felt excited under your guidance John made an excellent progress. He is proud of his medal of the student of the year. I appreciate your teaching and consideration for John.”
(Mrs. Cho)
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” The recital was great. Your students are a very impressive bunch of musicians overall! That’s ’cause they have a great teacher.”
🙂
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Ms. Choi,
” Happy early Mother’s Day 🙂 I can’t express in words how much your teaching means to me. I look forward to violin class every week! You never fail to amaze me by your modesty 😉 Thanks to your teaching, I feel like a better player. You are just like our mother, scolding us when we do something wrong, but still loving us no matter what… I believe that you are like the best violin teacher ever 🙂 I hope you have a great Mother’s Day tomorrow.”
( Zennie Wey )
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” Thank you, Ms. Choi, for all your great teaching. The rules do not just apply to piano, but to everything. You have taught me more than how to be a good piano player. Thank you for everything.”
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“Ms. Choi is a great teacher. She taught all the essentials of music and more. She also puts focus on etiquette and perfection in performance. I play drums in addition to piano, and the poise that she gave me is priceless.”
(John Harvill)
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Hi Ms.Choi!
” Just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for me!! I couldn’t have gotten this far without you. I just got into the 2013 ALL REGION HIGH SCHOOL ORCH. Miss you lots 🙂
(Eileen Jau)
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Ms. Choi has been a huge musical influence in my musical career. Ever since I started with her in seventh grade, I improved immensely. After my first lesson with her, we instantly clicked like as if we were sisters. Every lesson I learned new things. She fixed my horrible posture, my squeaky sounds, and most importantly she taught me to love music. At first, I played the violin like as if it was some toy, but Ms. Choi expressed herself through music and I then started to enjoy music because of her. Because of her teachings, in the eighth grade I decided to pursue music as my future career. Ms. Choi has helped me win numerous awards such as the Concertmaster positions for All Region Orchestras (TMEA) for Middle School AND High School, Austin Youth Orchestra, and many more. I like to thank and give credit to Ms Choi’s teaching for all she has taught me in part for me getting 5th chair – Violin I section in the All State High School Orchestra (TMEA) and the Concertmaster position for the All Region High School Orchestra (TMEA) .
Also with Ms. Choi, I also won the Asian American Solo Competition and the Austin Symphony Concerto Competition. She has stuck with me in every good time and bad time, and she has always been there for me each and every concert. Even through my own personal problems I would be having – she would listen to me and we would laugh together which would make my sorrows go away. She also gives me good advice about the music career in which I am planning for with joy. I really truly am blessed to have Ms. Choi as the best mentor. She is by far the best violin teacher/mentor I could ever ask for. God has truly blessed me with someone as amazing as her, and I thank Him every day for bringing her into my musical life. I love you Ms. Choi!
Sincerely,
(Grace Song – Nov 2013)
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I’ve enjoyed learning from you this year! I’m going to miss seeing you after the recital as well 🙁 Hopefully I will be able to continue playing the violin and maintain my strengths where they are now. I will remember to send you lots of pictures and notify you which college I will be attending, so don’t worry! (: I will remember to keep in touch! Although I’ve only been your student for a little more than a year, I’ve really learned a lot from you! I saw a big improvement in my violin playing and began to think differently of the meaning of “music.” The way I see music is now very different from before. Music isn’t just notes on music sheets that I have to practice to try to get concert master chair or ones at UIL solo/ensemble anymore, it is an expression of how someone is feeling and what the musician is thinking. Love you! See you at the recital! 🙂
(Stephany Chang – Dec. 2013)
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Dear Ms. Choi,
I have been blessed to have you as a teacher for the past five years! I remember starting lessons with you as an eighth grader; I can’t believe that I will be graduating from high school in less than three weeks.
Thank you so much for being such a wonderful teacher. With your instruction, I was able to experience all-state orchestra for the past two years. During these past five years, I have grown as a violinist; my technique is infinitely better than when I first began lessons. I have also grown as a musician overall; I learned how to be expressive and how to move with the music. Most importantly though, you have taught me: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” You have always pushed me to do my best, but you were also very understanding when I was not able to practice much due to being out of town or having exams at school.
Thank you for the past five years of instruction, and thank you for the gifts and the flowers that you gave me yesterday as well. I am going to miss you so much next year, but I will definitely stay in touch with you.
Again, thank you for everything, and I love you!
Love,
(Victoria Lee – May 17, 2014)
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Dear Ms. Choi,
You’ve helped me improve so much in the four years I’ve taken lessons with you. I had no idea how to produce a good sound or play musically, I knew only how to pull the bow and put down fingers to make the right notes (most of the time :P). When I came to you, you pushed and expanded my limits, constantly challenging me to improve my technique with difficult, professional-grade literature.
With your help, careful attention, and care, I’ve managed to make the All-Region Middle School and High School Orchestras for every year since I started studying with you. You’ve also assisted in my auditions in the Austin Youth Orchestra, even helping me place first in the Philharmonic Orchestra in 8th grade.
You’ve has always been beside me on each of my pursuits on violin. The concern and care you shows for your students is inspiring. If every music teacher called their students before auditions to check with them, listened to student recordings on her own time, or made videos to show their students correct technique, like you do, the world of music would be so much better!
Although my time with violin is now a closed chapter, the lessons you’ve has taught me: attention to detail, constant demand for the best, mindful analysis of mistakes, and many more, will carry on into my other musical endeavours and even into my academic future. Thank you for teaching and inspiring me in much more areas of life than just the violin. I will keep in touch with you from time to time!
Thank you, and I love you,
(Vincent Lee – May 17, 2014)
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2016 Testimonials:
I want to thank Ms Choi for teaching how to play violin . She understands music better than my other teachers. I am happy to have her as my violin teacher and I am grateful that my parents let me have her as my teacher- I feel like I have progressed more and faster because of Ms Choi . Thank you Ms Choi !
(Lindsay Chong)
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I have learned lot of things from Ms Choi- Vibrato, Shifting, Sautille, better sound and especially to be more confident-. At my 30 min audition- I learned some very important things about her in
that short time. One is that she was very picky and strict. She is an excellent teacher but kind of terrifying at the same time. But over all, Ms Choi is a really good teacher. I think my lessons are
perfectly fine.
(Chelsea Zhang)
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I have learned many things throughout my study with Ms Choi. Some of those things are
Playing the violin correctly , how to control nerves, how to collaborate with a pianist.
Playing violin is very hard and Ms Choi has guided me to success. Without her I don’t think I would be the violinist I would be today.
(William Lu)
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I have changed a lot from when I first started with Ms Choi and where I am today.
My intonation has improved significantly and so has my tone. I was playing book 1 suzuki – and now on Mozart – book 10 . I would not be able to recognize myself from Middle school anymore.
Ms Choi is an excellent teacher and she has helped me not only with violin but also in increasing my motivation and will. She is always encouraging me to go past my comfort zone.
I didnt believe that I would be able to make it into region orchestra – TMEA – yet she helped me practice with good quality and less quantity. She also told me that sometimes arrogance is a good thing – as it will help push you towards your goals in life by increasing confidence and self motivation. Ms Choi has taught me more than violin skills – she has taught me life skills as well.
(Niveya James Ravichandran)
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I think I have learned many things from Ms Choi about music and real life. The first thing I learned from her is how important confidence is – whether its through your music or in everyday
situations. Countless of times I have been told by her to speak up with my voice or play louder.
But in the beginning I honestly didnt understand why , but slowly I have begun to see that the things Ms Choi has been picky about can define my success in violin and in life.
My musicality and expression has improved greatly inside myself. Ms Choi is an excellent teacher – even though at times she can be a bit strict and picky (alot)but I think thats what truly makes her excellent. Also – I feel that she really cares about me -I cant compare Ms Choi to any of my school teachers because I think I have a different connection with her and she sees me differently than they do.
(Anushka Solanki)
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Ms Choi is a great teacher, mentor, and role model for life. She has helped me become mature in both music and in life. When I first auditioned for her in 4th grade- I remember being very scared by her ……..and still scared of her. However she has impressed me by showing that if you have talent and put enough hard work – may it be violin – school – or sports that you will succeed. Ms Choi is an excellent teacher and one of the most important mentors I will ever have- Thank you Ms Choi!
(Anant Malpani)
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Ms Choi has helped me with violin ever since I was 7 yrs old. I used to think she was really strict but she is really nice. She has been at all of my competitions, giving me feedback and encouragement. Ms Choi is a great teacher. Whenever we start a new piece – she listens to my opinions and gives me advice. Ms Choi has taught me to be patient when I play.
Whenever I FaceTime – she always tells me how cute my dog is. During lessons I would like to do more sight-reading and talk more.
(Gloria Wu)
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Ever since I met Ms Choi – I could tell that I was not an “accomplished “ violinist. After learning from Ms Choi for the past few weeks, I fully understand what is required of becoming a proper violinist. I learned to express emotions, raise fingers when playing , different types of vibrato
and so much more that I cannot express in words.
I would rank Ms Choi as an excellent teacher. Some teachers here in Texas have a tendency to be nice or kind even if you mess up. Ms Choi , on the other hand, points out your flaws – helps us practice more on those certain sections, to boost our performance level.
For future lessons I know that Ms Choi will show more examples for me to grasp the topic she is trying to explain.
Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that Ms Choi is an amazing teacher that helped me see music in an new perspective.
(Minshin Kim)
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Ms Choi is the best violin teacher any violinist could ever ask for- she is second to none. I have known her since I was 5
and I didnt take violin seriously until 6 yrs later……Boy , do I wish I could have used those 6 years to my advantage. I have learned not only how to play the violin but life stories and helpful tips from Ms Choi. She is not only an amazing violin teacher but also someone whom I can trust .
I would love to be pushed hard for the rest of my musical career. I strive to be the best I can be- both as a violinist and as a person. Ms Choi has taught me everything I know.
If you think Ms Choi is too mean or too strict then you are just too weak.
No-one may compare to Anna Choi .
(Timothy Pao)
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I have been a student of Ms. Choi for 14 years, and she’s truly been the best teacher and instructor of all the teachers I’ve had throughout my schooling. Ms. Choi always set the bar higher than anyone else I know and fully expects you to live up to where that bar is set. You know that if she says you did something well you actually did it well and she isn’t afraid to let you know when you’re messing something up. Her focus is always to make you the best student you are capable of being.
Ms Choi also focuses on music theory. Not only do you learn how to play but you learn the history of your piece and the mechanics of how it should be played. Ms Choi’s impact on me personally will last a lifetime. I will always truly appreciate the gift of “lessons” with Ms.Choi.
Sean Bennett
(6/22/2017)
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Dear Anna,
For many years I have had the distinct pleasure of having many of your students in my orchestra class. I can truly say you are a Master Teacher!! Not only have you insisted on correct technique, intonation and playing with a beautiful tone but you have always instilled in your students a passion and love of music, inspiring them to grow as musicians and be the very best they can be. It has been a joy to work with you and your students!!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Frederick (former Canyon Vista Middle School Orchestra Director) (2018)
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Anna Choi has not only taught me everything I know about violin, but she has cultivated a significant portion of my consciousness. I started my career in violin at the age of 5 with Anna Choi. Anna Choi held high expectations for me as a student even when I was such a young age. This helped me develop not only as a high reaching musician, but as a person as well. Anna Choi’s teaching has led to my extreme success in music. Anna Choi has helped me receive numerous awards in music. I have received positions in the Texas All-State Orchestra (TMEA) two years in a row. I have placed in High School and Middle School Region (TMEA) six years in a row. I have qualified for not only State UIL Solo but UIL Ensemble (TSSEC) as well for four consecutive years. Anna Choi teaching also granted me the ability to participate in the Austin Youth Symphony Orchestra (AYO) in the first violin section along with Chamber Music in the Public Schools (CHAMPS) for four years. With Anna Choi’s guidance, I have been able to counter personal problem outside of music as well. Because of Anna Choi, I am majoring in Finance Honors and Violin Performance at Baylor University. I am truly blessed to have had Anna Choi as a mentor for over thirteen years. I would not be who I am without her.
Timothy Pao (June 1, 2020)
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Hello, Ms.Choi! I got first chair in 2020 Middle School region 26! I’m glad that you were my teacher for so long, and I really appreciate all you did to shape my violin skills! Thank you! Have a good day.
Evelyn Liu (October 15, 2020)
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I consider myself lucky to be able to study under Ms. Choi. Even with just few years, it was enough to change a person—me at least.
I believe—to Ms. Choi, nothing is happier than seeing her students do good and be good, whichever the field they decided to be later in life. She doesn’t just teach us violin, she taught us much more than violin. The necessary traits of being a person living our life—no schools can teach us that; schools (now) can only teach us how to be “technologically competitive” in this world. They cannot teach us moral values.In terms of music, Ms. Choi’s achievements are more than qualifying for her to teach us. Needless to list them.Beyond everything at the end I just want to say thank you Ms. Choi, I am grateful for your teaching.
Thank you.
William Yu (August 28, 2021)
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Dear Ms Choi
Thank you so much for an amazing 4 yrs – I came to you in January of my 7th grade as a timid student who wanted to get better at violin. Now I am leaving learned far more than I could have ever expected- both in violin and in life. You have taught me the value of discipline, sacrifice and hard work. I was able to achieve so many of my goals as a violinist with you such as making Westwood H.S. Symphony, TMEA regionals etc. Thank you for giving me the ability to create beautiful music – tell stories and to perform for people. You are unlike any other violin teacher — from the 6am morning texts urging me to practice before school. The videos you record for students and even the funny and cute cat videos that you email students – your dedication and care for your students is evident. I will never be able to forget my lessons with you.
As we to our separate ways I want to wish you luck on your future endeavors.
Thank you for all that you have given me-
Love,
Brooke Xu (May 20, 2023)