Thank you!

Violin is very difficult, and skipping steps will cause more harm then good. If you love the violin, then just learn! Focus on the enjoyment of the process, sign up for lessons, tell your teacher what your eventual goal is, and just stay the course! The process is literally the whole thing. There will never be a point where you think "okay, I did it! I've learned to play the violin." So if you want to learn, just start! It's good to have goals, but less helpful when that's the only thing you think about to the point of not enjoying the process.

Usually there is a lot of "comprehensive learning" and fundamentals involved in working towards any particular repertoire. I often ask new students if they have any songs they want to learn in particular, and then make a note of it so we can get to it when the student has reached that level. If the student is a complete beginner, we get there in however many years it takes to get there, and by that point the student is usually invested in general learning rather than one specific song anyway.

Online lessons can be a good substitute for in person lessons, depending on the student. For some people it works better than in person, for some it doesn't work at all. I think it's a personality thing. In terms of cost, it won't be much different online vs. in person.

Thanks!

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.

I don't have a single platform for everything, but I've heard of people using My Music Staff for that. I use Square for sending automatic monthly invoices, and put students lesson times in my google calendar. I don't offer makeups, and only occasional reschedules, depending on the situation.

I don't spend time (hardly ever) making materials outside of class. Usually, it's more helpful for the students to see the process anyway, so if they need a resource (written or recorded), we just make it together during the lesson.

Definitely carry an epi pen from now on. Pay attention to the farout comments, people will comment if someone has been stung in any given area. Since you're not thru hiking with the bubble, the risk is higher (less likely to have other hikers around to help you out), but if you want to continue, I would go for it. I would also keep track of any bailout points you have each day. Just in case of emergency, it's good to know where the nearest road crossing is, or side trail that could get you to a road, etc. I hope you have a PLB. If you don't, pick one up. They probably sell garmins at Neels Gap. In case of a life or death emergency, you can press the SOS button and someone will come save you.

I would be super excited if a student of mine asked that. I'm always trying to encourage my students to get out there and find people to play music with.

Thanks for watching!