Interested in starting violin / piano / bouzouki / pennywhistle lessons?

Fiddle Lesson Reviews

  • I am so happy I found Alisha as a fiddle teacher! I was looking for someone who would teach me Celtic fiddling both by ear and reading, and teach me some theory at the same time. Alisha does all of these brilliantly, but more importantly, she teaches with patience, encouragement, and appropriate skills which don’t overwhelm me. We have a lot of fun in the lessons, which keeps me inspired to learn more. I can’t recommend her highly enough!

    • Lianna Smith, Redding

  • I have been taking fiddle lessons from Alisha Townley since October 2022. She has helped me with rhythm, bowing, tuning, fingering and a lot more. I have become a much better musician with her help. My wife enjoys listening to me play now. I look forward to my weekly lesson because her enthusiasm is contagious. I am able to show her what I've learned and she is able to help me correct what I am having trouble with, as well. I would have to say Alisha is an extremely well versed musician and teacher. I highly recommend Alisha Townley whether you are someone like me who has been playing for a while and wants to improve or a beginner just starting out.

    • Bill Reichle, Orland

  • I started with Alisha in early November of 2022. I didn’t even know how to hold the instrument let alone play anything! Alisha was kind, considerate, worked with me at my level, and made me feel comfortable, even with all the squeaks! Through her patience and dedication, she taught me to love the fiddle and turned practice into something I wanted to do every day! I’ve been working with her now for almost two years, and couldn’t ask for a better or more talented teacher! 11/10

    • Chris Dicker, Redding

FAQs

  • Hour lessons are $45 and half-hour lessons (for children 10 and under only) are $30, paid in full at the start of the month. We have found this arrangement necessary for the time we put in to prepare for and reserve hours for lessons.

  • We primarily teach out of our home studio in Red Bluff. I currently also teach in Redding on Fridays, and Orland on Mondays.

    If necessary or preferred, an arrangement can be made to teach at the students home with a travel fee.

  • I (Alisha) teach fiddling: Old Time, Texas Style, Celtic (Irish, Scottish), and Bluegrass, as well as Christian music (hymns and contemporary) and Popular modern and old. I also teach and am very fond of many themes from Video games, movies, and TV shows.

    Nathan teaches piano: Jazz, Video Game / Movie songs, Christian music, Popular modern and older compositions, and much more. Whatever you want to learn, he can teach it!

    Nathan also teaches Irish / American folk tunes on the pennywhistle and bouzouki. He is a very wonderful pennywhistle player. This is a delightfully fun instrument for younger children, and was his first instrument.

    [If you are specifically invested in hardcore classical education, I might point you in another direction!] ;)

  • To have a lot of fun! You will learn all about your instrument, how to play your favorite songs and styles, music theory, and both how to read sheet music / lead sheets / tablature and learn by ear.

    Your interests, goals, and what inspired you to start will all provide direction. My aim as a teacher is to find out where you want to go, and help you get there! This is often discovered together after beginning the dive into music.

    I will often send students home with specific songs / skills to practice, sheet music or tablature, and some reference videos / recordings of myself and others. From time to time, we will have a "listening session," where we watch and listen to recordings together to discuss what we hear and see, and how to learn from recordings of great musicians!

  • Yes! If you are interested in enrolling yourself and a child, a pair, or the whole family, we can discuss an arrangement that works for you financially.

  • Absolutely not - music is for EVERYONE! I'm a firm believer that everyone can learn.

    Little ones are very smart and can learn A LOT before they can necessarily play a tune. I'm willing to work with students of any age.

    It's NEVER too late to start learning any instrument, or anything for that matter. I know some really excellent players that started long after their childhood! I'm convinced that the only thing you need is a desire to learn. Go at your own pace, and remember it's all for the joy of it.