Teaching References:

The first time that I met Victoria, she had just arrived from Julliard. Sporting cat-eye glasses and long blonde hair, she was quite hip. From that day seven years ago, she has been our daughter's cello teacher. It has been a wonderful journey, and I can honestly say that without Victoria's teaching methods and firm encouragement, Kelsey (our daughter) would not have sustained an interest in cello. Victoria has a wonderful gift: she has the ability to relate to students individually and set a unique path of instruction for each one.
     --Lavanna Martin

Having woke up one day in my thirties, I felt the need to learn how to play the cello. Being dissatisfied with a previous instructor and not wanting to play anymore, I found Victoria. I was impressed by her devotion to and talent with the cello. I was very pleased and excited to learn she is involved with the Austin Symphony and continues her creative expression through recitals. Most of all, I am pleased by her consistency with technique and the patience she has with me. I absolutely love the cello and Victoria has had a hand (no pun intended) in developing and critiquing my passion for the instrument.
     --Kimberly Smith

Victoria was my first prominent cello teacher as I pursued my (unbeknownced to me at the time) professional cello career; she no doubt had much to do with my decision to make music my life. I have recently received my bachelor's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA under the tutelage of Yessun Kim (Cellist in the acclaimed Borromeo String Quartet). I am currently under full scholarship at Rice University in order to obtain my master's degree under the professorship of maestro Lynn Harrell. Coming from an un-wealthy family in South Austin, Victoria never let our tight budget interfere with her giving me weekly lessons. I remember several weeks where she taught me without pay. One of the most important things Victoria ever said to me upon hearing in a lesson my claiming that something was too hard, was 'I don't think that at this point in your career it is smart to say that there is ANYTHING that is too difficult or that you can't do.' At the time I may not have understood what exactly she meant, but I now have carried that sentence with me on a daily basis, as with most of the repertoire I am playing, you must say to yourself, 'Yes that looks IMPOSSIBLE, but not for long!'.
     --Gabriel Beistline