Violinist and Pianist Molly is a passionate violinist and pianist with over a decade of intensive study and teaching experience. She studied violin privately with Lori Casperson from 2008 to 2019 and took piano lessons with Keri Himes and Peggy Lott from 2004 to 2019. Molly has been teaching private violin and piano lessons since 2016, helping students build a strong musical foundation while encouraging them to explore the styles and genres that bring them joy. Raised in Idaho, Molly’s musical journey began early and flourished in her home state. She has been performing with the Magic Valley Youth Orchestra and Advanced Chamber Ensemble since 2009, where she served as concertmistress for five years. She consistently earned superior ratings as a violin soloist in the Twin Falls Music Festival's Solo and Concerto divisions from 2008 to 2019 and received superior ratings in the IMEA District Solo and Ensemble competition from 2013 to 2019. In 2019, she placed first in her district and competed in the IMEA State Solo Competition. She was selected for the IMEA Idaho All-State Orchestra in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and also performed with the prestigious NAfME All-Northwest Orchestra in 2019. Molly has extensive experience as a professional performer, including producing private concerts featuring both solo and ensemble performances. While music brings Molly immense personal joy, there is nothing quite like the feeling of bringing that joy to others through her music. Connecting with an audience and seeing how music moves and inspires them is one of her greatest motivators as both a performer and a teacher. In 2021, Molly served a mission for her church as a young performing missionary in Nauvoo, Illinois, where she sang, danced, acted, and showcased her fiddling talents. As a teacher, Molly values helping students develop a strong technical foundation that gives them the confidence and flexibility to explore multiple genres. In violin, she focuses on classical technique to build a solid base for future growth. For piano, she primarily uses the Faber and Faber books to establish strong technical skills while gradually introducing the student's preferred genres, whether that’s pop, jazz, or classical. Molly believes that music should be both rewarding and fun, and she tailors each lesson to fit the student’s personality and goals. Whether a student dreams of performing on stage or simply wants to play for personal enjoyment, Molly is passionate about helping them develop the skills and confidence to make music a meaningful and lasting part of their life.
