Elizabeth Faidley's Violin Pedagogy Day 2025: A Global Gathering

June 17, 2025, 4:01 PM · Elizabeth Faidley is one of the most respected and dynamic violin pedagogues teaching today. Known for her humor, attention to technique, and total devotion to her students, she has built one of the most accomplished and vibrant studios in the country. Her passion for teaching is infectious. Each summer, she invites a group of teachers to join her for a one-of-a-kind event: Pedagogy Day.

For the past three summers, I’ve spent one of my favorite days of the year on Zoom — yes, Zoom! — with Elizabeth and hundreds of violinists, teachers, and students from around the world. If you’ve never attended, let me tell you: it’s like an all-day violin brain spa.

Violin student Xiahang, participating in a Pedagogy Day session.

Elizabeth divides the day into sessions, each packed with insight, humor, and real talk about the art of teaching. In past years, she’s shared everything from how to use body language in lessons to age-specific philosophies and left-hand set-up. One unforgettable moment was watching her teach vibrato for the first time to a young child in Germany — live and completely unedited.

This year’s Pedagogy Day, on July 12, promises even more magic. Elizabeth is planning a deep dive into teaching La Folia and the Accolay Concerto, a "follow the student" experience chronicling a young player from his very first lesson onward, and an exploration of bow-hand evolution from Twinkle to Bruch. She’ll also introduce her signature "teaching problem archetypes," including "The Dead Horse," "The Triage," and "The Walking" — equal parts hilariously accurate and pedagogically revealing.

But what makes Pedagogy Day truly special isn’t just the content. It’s the people. Last year, teachers joined from 31 countries and 40 U.S. states. There’s something deeply moving about logging on and seeing familiar faces from past years, or hearing a fresh idea from someone in South Korea or Brazil. No matter where we’re from, we all face the same challenges and share the same joys. That shared experience is powerful — you leave feeling inspired, renewed, and more connected than ever.

One participant, Paul Grant, an orchestra teacher from Orange County, Calif., said, "I first met Elizabeth Faidley in 2018 and was immediately impressed by the caliber of her students. Over the years, I’ve seen her unwavering dedication. She builds a solid technical foundation, starting with the bow, whether she’s working on ‘Twinkle’ or the Tchaikovsky Concerto. What truly sets her apart is her ability to form meaningful, individualized connections with each student. Watching her teach has given me countless tools I now use in both my public school orchestra classes and private studio. Elizabeth is simply the best."

Violin student Lena, participating in a Pedagogy Day session.

The day also includes time for storytelling (teaching horror stories encouraged!), open Q&A, and lively discussion. Elizabeth is open, VERY honest, and deeply generous with her knowledge, and somehow keeps the energy up for all 12 hours (with no coffee!).

Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST, but most people pop in and out throughout the day. Full recordings are provided, so you won’t miss a thing. Whether you’re a seasoned pedagogue or just starting out, you’ll walk away with a full notebook, a better toolkit, and probably a few new friends.

And Pedagogy Day isn’t just for violin teachers. Many attendees are teachers of other instruments, as well as parents of young violinists who want to better understand what’s happening in the practice room.

"Pedagogy Day gave me something I didn’t know I was missing - a glimpse into the heart of the teaching. For the first time, I truly understood the care, thought, and deep intention behind every bow hold, every recital, every correction," said Ester, the parent of two violinists. "It’s not just about playing the violin; it’s about building a young artist from the inside out. Elizabeth’s generosity in sharing her process moved me to tears. I walked away feeling more connected to my child’s journey, and more grateful than ever for the teachers who guide it."

As string teacher Kelly Duley said, "Elizabeth's Pedagogy Day is one of the highlights of my year. The insights, stories, and shared experiences continue to shape and inspire me as a String teacher. If you believe that teaching music is a meaningful and powerful calling, this day will re-energize your spirit and deepen your purpose."

To request an invitation, email Elizabeth Faidley or contact her via her Instagram page.

You might also like:

* * *

Enjoying Violinist.com? Click here to sign up for our free, bi-weekly email newsletter. And if you've already signed up, please invite your friends! Thank you.

Replies

This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Elizabeth Faidley's Violin Pedagogy Day 2025: A Global Gathering

Replies

Subscribe

Laurie's Books