“My daughter began taking lessons with Lydia Tseng about three and a half years ago. Initially, she was hesitant and nervous and claimed she had no interest, but Lydia worked with her patiently, calmed her fears, and cultivated in my daughter a love of music. She has high musical standards and has managed to bring out the best in my daughter as a musician, while instilling and growing in her a deep enjoyment of piano. I don’t know that my daughter would have persevered without Lydia’s help, but thanks to her strong and patient teaching, I know my daughter will enjoy the gift of music for the rest of her life.”

— Beth Gregory, Parent

“I was Lydia’s student for 8 years, and she was an incredible teacher. She was really good at helping me learn techniques that I was struggling with. I also consider Lydia a good friend, and I would recommend her to anyone!”

— Lev R., Former Student

“Lydia was my first and only viola teacher. When you find something that works you don’t look back. Lydia was always encouraging of my growth as a violist as well as my growth as a person; she taught me from fourth grade until I left for college. She always knew when to challenge me. I strongly believe I would have quit if it had not been for Lydia, and I’m so thrilled I kept it up as it’s still a hobby I enjoy now. She perfectly blends challenge and support with enjoyment.”

— Amalia Davis Del Picolo, Former Student

“My son, at 13, has studied with Lydia for just over 2 years, and under her expert guidance, he has blossomed as a musician. Lydia's dedication to building a strong technical foundation is evident in every piece he learns to play.

Before studying with Lydia, my son struggled with motivation to do scales and exercises. Fortunately, she helped him understand that scales and technical exercises are not daunting or boring challenges, but a path to better musicality. After two years with her, his bowing has dramatically improved, his ear is now better honed to listen, and he has significantly better intonation. Lydia's patience, persistence, and kindness create a supportive learning environment where mistakes are welcomed as opportunities for growth, allowing my son to improve as a musician without fear.”

— Anne V., Parent (Part 1)

“Lydia instills a genuine love for music in her students, and is an invested teacher. She has fostered a good work ethic in my son, and as a result, he happily works hard for her. Witnessing the growth in my son's playing, joy, and commitment to the violin is a true reward. I know this wouldn't be possible without Lydia's exceptional teaching. If you are looking for a violin teacher who will nurture your child's musical talent with expertise, kindness, patience, and passion, look no further than Lydia. She is an invaluable asset to any violinist, and a true joy to work with.”

— Anne V., Parent (Part 2)

“I’ve been taking lessons with Lydia since I was in 4th grade and still am as a junior in high school. I wouldn’t still be pursuing viola if it wasn’t for Lydia’s hard work and efforts to get me to improve and enjoy my pieces. If you want someone who will make you laugh and comfort you while also strengthening your musical career, she’s the person to go to. Love you, Lydia!”

—Amber Havel, Student

“Two of my children, Kenneth and Kathy, are Mrs. Tseng’s piano students. She is a fun, yet very effective teacher who cares for her students. Mrs. Tseng is hard working and always provides clear instructions. I see my kids constantly improving their musical skills, and in just a short time, they can learn beautiful pieces of music. I feel very grateful to have found her as a piano teacher for me kids.”

—Thoung Huynh, Parent

“I’ve been taking lessons with Lydia since I was in 6th grade, and now I’m a junior in high school. I first met Lydia through Elemental Strings when I was in 5th grade, and she cared so much about each of her students which is what made me decide to start lessons with her. Lydia creates a deep, personal connection with her students, and I always feel comfortable and supported by her.

When Lydia moved to Oregon, I continued lessons online with her, and I’ve never felt like the quality is less than in-person. She has helped me work through adversity and makes me want to practice and improve all the time. Looking back, I have grown so much as a violinist and have come to love my instrument immensely, and that’s thanks to Lydia.”

—Eleanor S., Student

“Lydia has consistently encouraged and inspired my daughter to play the violin. My daughter picked up the violin for the first time as a teen and with Lydia's direction progressed rapidly with delight and skill. Lydia challenges her to keep moving to the next level without overwhelming her. My daughter looks forward to her lessons each week.“

—Kathryn Plopper, Parent

“Starting an instrument in teen years can be daunting, but Lydia has given me a very firm foundation in intonation, reading music, and expression. Over time, I continue to appreciate the violin more and more. She always creatively adapts the lesson to the needs of the student, never challenging me too much or too little. It is a joy to learn music from her with her patient explanations, experience, and caring attitude.”

—Abigail Plopper, Student

“I am immensely grateful for the wonderful experience I've had learning the violin with Miss Lydia. Having dabbled in violin during my youth and now managing a hectic schedule with two young girls, I wasn't sure if I could commit to learning again. However, Miss Lydia proved to be the perfect mentor—patient, encouraging, and understanding throughout my two-year journey.

Despite the demands of my busy life, Miss Lydia consistently provides unwavering support and guidance, helping me stay motivated and focused on my musical goals. Her expertise in teaching adult learners, coupled with her genuine passion for music, creates a nurturing environment where I feel comfortable exploring and honing my skills.”

—Yingyi W., Student (Part 1)

“What truly has enhanced my experience is the formation of a quartet under Miss Lydia's guidance. Collaborating with fellow learners not only is improving our individual skills but also is making the process incredibly enjoyable. Together, we are navigating challenging pieces, celebrating our progress, and forming lasting friendships through our shared love of music.

Miss Lydia not only is helping me develop my violin skills but also is instilling in me a deeper appreciation for music and the joy of playing with others. I am grateful for her patience and encouragement and am truly lucky to have her as my teacher. I wholeheartedly recommend Miss Lydia if you are looking for a violin teacher.

Thank you, Miss Lydia for enriching my life with the beauty of music and for making my violin journey so fulfilling.”

—Yingyi W., Student (Part 2)

“I am a new student of Lydia’s as of 6 months. I am an older student and have always wanted to learn to play the piano. Having arthritis in my hands, which has caused some deformity to my fingers, has led to some challenges. Lydia developed some warmup exercises to begin each practice with. Lydia’s patience and support has helped me to improve flexibility. I have so appreciated her calm and patient approach.”

—Deb Bruun, Student

“Lydia has been teaching my son and wife violin for the past two years. Her attentive listening and emphasis on tone quality are exceptional. Thanks to her guidance, my son has discovered his perfect pitch. Lydia adeptly engages with students of all ages, gently guiding them towards excellence. As an active amateur musician myself, I also find value in observing her teaching methods.”

—Alan B., Parent/Spouse