As a child, I took piano lessons from a woman I was sort of afraid of. My parents kept me with her for ten years because she was really good. Well, she was good, but she was also a bit shaming and stern. I can play the piano decently well, but I rarely want to do so publicly because I have mild PTSD from my experience with her. Camilo is completely the opposite. He inspires joy in my daughter so she wants to practice and looks forward to performing. Camilo is personable and totally comfortable with children (my daughter is 9), which I absolutely appreciate, because she's not afraid of him and will talk with him about anything. Plus, this guy is incredibly talented (I get to hear him play during lessons from time to time) and he is naturally adept at teaching what he knows to newbies. After only a year, my kid is playing things I didn't expect. She has a long way to go, but she's come so far in such a short time. Honestly, coming into this, I had a low bar for a music teacher: just don't make things miserable for my daughter and teach her stuff. Camilo is far above that bar. I actually think you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone better! read more

My son has been learning here for few months. I can see my son improves a lot. I like here because Mr. Camilo is super friendly and patient. He treats my son just like a friend. Listen to his request and help him grows up in music. I hope my son can live happily in music. Music enrichs his life. read more

Violin Lessons with Camilo - Recital in church. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Long Beach, California

This is a long overdue update as my daughter has been taking violin with Camilo for almost a year. She loves playing violin with him and catches on pretty quickly. It's all because Camilo is very knowledgeable, detail oriented, patient and truly cares about her progress. He challenges her with so many different pieces of music that he believes she is ready to learn. While he lets her pick which music pieces she would like to play. So she is never bored and is always learning something new that she wants to play. It's a win-win situation! I am so glad we found Camilo when we did. Thank you Camilo! read more

My 9-yo has been working with Camilo since last August and I'm blown away by how far he's come. Camilo has such a great report with kids and his true talent lies in his ability to really "read" his students and assign music that fits their taste and personality. Camilo might be the coolest violinist. He plays in his own band which I think shows his students a path forward with the instrument - if they're serious about playing professionally (or even as a hobby). He's been a real inspiration to my son who, with Camilo's help, has really found a passion for composing. The recitals Camilo hosts are so fun! He's so organized and brings our family a lot of joy by instilling this young love of art and sound in our kiddo. Highly recommend Camilo! read more

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What can I say about Camilo that has not already been said? Camilo is literally the best violin teacher ever! My son has had his fair share of teachers but no one compares to Camilo. His passion for violin and teaching are evident in his lessons with his students. He's super talented at what he does and we are so very grateful to have him in our lives. If you're interested in learning the violin, this is your guy. read more

My whole life I wanted to play the violin and being 28 years old I didn't think anyone would want to teach an adult. I did some research and found Camilo. I have been taking violin lesson for almost a year now and I've learned so much. Before starting our lessons I told Camilo along with learning the violin I also wanted to focus on learning music theory and he was happy to do so. Camilo makes learning the violin fun, it's not strictly by the book, he asks his students if there is a song they would like to play and he will find a version of whatever it is for the students level of playing, if unable to find the sheet music online he transcribes it himself. I think by letting us pick something we'd like to learn it really motivates all students to continue with the lessons. If you're looking for a teacher for private lessons, this is the way to go. read more

Camilo is a patient and talented violin teacher, who has helped me rediscover the violin after many decades away from "beginner" lessons in teen years. Wow! In my retirement, I was very uncertain whether any teacher would want to take on a student who had such a big gap in learning. After two years, I can't imagine that I would have stuck with daily practice and weekly lessons with any other teacher. As a retired teacher, I recognize in Camilo's instruction what makes his lessons so successful. He tailors instruction to advance his student's musicianship with the instrument. Camilo encourages me, and all his students, to pursue music that motivates them, whether classical, bluegrass, country, gypsy, or jazz, and then builds an "on ramp" of exercises and skill-builders to help them achieve their goal. He has been known to avidly research students' musical interests, transcribing pieces when necessary to fit the student's ability. Finally, each lesson includes very specific and useful feedback - on a few key points of learning - to focus upon for the following week's practice. Finally, he has built a supportive community of diverse learners, through regular recitals - where family and friends can listen and appreciate the range of levels that Camilo instructs. Thanks, Camilo, for sharing your love of music and giving so many of us access to the violin! read more

Camilo is great! With his teaching style, he equips you with a valuable practice method that you can apply to learning any piece. He breaks pieces down, and helps guide you through making decisions on musicality for each piece with bowing techniques, stylistic choices, and dynamics. With trickier violin techniques, Camilo has a variety of approaches to help get you to learn them more easily. If one way doesn't work, don't fret, he has a ton up his sleeve! Taking up violin as a beginning adult had me a little nervous, but Camilo made me feel right at home and comfortable. He's always patient, and truly is interested in your success in learning the violin. Camilo also lets you decide what sorts of pieces you'd like to play from a genre that you're interested in. He'll pair that with valuable lessons in technique to give you a well rounded skill set with the instrument. I definitely recommend Camilo for violin lessons. read more

I am very proud of my mom, Shirley, as she has learned to play the violin. She began 6 years ago playing random notes, strange plucks, and odd screeches. She practiced day in and day out over the years and the notes and sounds continued to improve, slightly. This was with a previous violin teacher. Three months ago, she began private lessons with Camilo. Finally, the random notes, screeches and plucks turned into music! The melodies and sounds that came out of the violin are strikingly on key and music to my ears. According to my mom, she has learned valuable tips and proper techniques that has enhanced learning and helped her excel in expanding her musical repertoire. I personally think that all music teachers have the capability to teach, but only a few have the gift of inspiring a student to express that passion to play. Camilo is one of those teachers, as I see that my mom has developed such a passion for playing and a true enjoyment for what she has achieved. read more

Our son is 13 years old and has been studying violin since he was 5. He hit a slump and had been losing interest, largely because his repertoire was mostly classical. He started Jazz Angels, which helped immensely to keep him going (review coming soon), but he needed a change in his daily practice--and quick! He has only taken a few lessons with Camilo. However, in the short time, Camilo has been that inspiration for him. Our son's enthusiasm, practice, technique, and repertoire have improved immensely. Our son beams with excitement after his lessons, and looks forward to practicing daily---on his own initiative (20-40 minutes, and sometimes more depending on time available). Camilo was responsive to our son's desire for more variety of music and is now working on gypsy jazz , bluegrass, and basically opening up a whole new world to my son. He has also been responsive to our desire to see our son continue to grow in classical music, as well. Camilo strikes a nice balance between technique, classical, and varieties of genres because of his own diverse skills. He plays in a bluegrass band as well as a string quartet. Camilo's pricing is fair and availability consistent. He is very patient, but holds high expectations. He is helping our son with improvisational skills, but also holding him to good technique, as well. In fact, our son's orchestral teacher at his middle school complimented his timing just the other day--she noticed a marked improvement. Finally, Camilo clearly enjoys what he does. His enthusiasm for this beautiful instrument and his approach have reinvigorated my son's love for violin! I'm confident he will be a life-long player, now!! Thank you, Camilo! read more

Camilo is one of the most patient, kindest and knowledgeable teachers out there. He has been my daughter's instructor for 7 years. Because of him, she is now studying to be a music teacher. Very wonderful human, you can never go wrong with a person like Camilo. read more

So glad I found Mr Camilo! I have taken lessons from various other instructors in different states on and off over the years. I enjoy classical music but have always wanted to pay bluegrass / fiddle / country / Irish Celtic. When I shared this with a previous instructor, she literally turned up her nose and told me a real violinist would never play fiddle music. A few months ago, I signed up my young daughter and me with Mr Camilo. He is very kind and patient with her youthful "exuberance," and then seamlessly switches context when it's my turn for instruction. He is an extremely talented classical musician, but best of all (to me) he also plays in multiple bluegrass bands! He has demonstrated how the techniques from each musical style can be leveraged in the other, and he has me learning using both Bach and "Drowsy Maggie!" I highly recommend Mr Camilo. read more

Great experience.. I am 29 years old and found my way with this difficult musical instrument, the Violin, with Camilo's help and guidance. Camilo, I really appreciate your talent, knowledge and your way of teaching above all. Merry Christmas and happy new year. read more

I am having such a great experience with Camilo! He is an AMAZING teacher and role model. He is very responsive and supportive of my individual needs as a student. I have been taking lessons with Camilo for a year and I have seen so much growth because of his consistency in the quality of instruction and patience with me. I often travel a lot internationally sometimes for as long as a month and Camilo goes above and beyond to accomodate me via video chat to facilitate my ongoing training and preparation for my music exams. I aspire to play in a symphony in the future and Camilo is preparing me for my grade level music exams in violin towards that next step. Furthermore, what I appreciate most about Camilo is that he promotes a positive learning environment for his students. For instance, even though most of us are taught individually, he always find a way each Spring and Winter via a Recital Event to bring his students together where are able to showcase what we have been working on to each other. The recitals also creates a forum where we are able to interact with each other along with family and friends. Camilo has played an instrumental role (pun intended) in helping me to organize myself around the outcomes that I want to achieve regarding my journey in advancing on the the violin! Camilo, thanks for all you do for us and for being a continual source of motivation and inspiration. Your support is greatly appreciated!!! With much appreciation, Cheryl. read more