I'm Aaron Van Heyningen, but my students call me "Mr. Aaron."  A freelance violinist, my passion is teaching young musicians to play the violin, and helping them acheive goals that we set in our weekly lessons.

 

I began taking violin lessons at the age of five in my hometown of Springfield, Illinois. Since then, and after years of practice, I've performed on stages across the United States and Asia. I've had the opportunity to perform on stage - or in studio - with Mario Spinetti, Josh Rouse, Seymour Glass, Eric Genuis, The Transiberian Orchestra, and Josh Groban. Music festivals have also played a prominant part in my musical development (and travel), taking me to summer destinations that include Blue Lake, Interlochen, and Meadowmount. 

 

I earned my B.M. in violin performance at New York University, and continued with my M.M. at the University of Akron, where I was a teaching assistant. It was during my time as a teaching assistant that I discovered my love of teaching. I went on to complete my Suzuki pedagogical studies with Allen Lieb and Ecaterina Gerson at the School for Strings; as a Registered Suzuki teacher, I'm able to accurately apply Suzuki principles and pedagogy techniques in each lesson and group class. 

 

Orchestra and chamber music have always been an important aspect of my performing career. I've played in the sections of the Akron Symphony, Akron Choral Society Orchestra, New Jersey Philharmonic, Ensemble du Monde, Park Avenue Chamber Orchestra, Greenwich Village Orchestra, One World Symphony, the Warren Philharmonic, and the Highline Chamber Ensemble, of which I am a founding member.

 

In addition to my teaching experience at the University of Akron, I've also taught at the Western Reserve Academy of Music, under the umbrella of the Brooklyn Philharmonic at public schools, and throughout the New York Metropolitan area. Currently, I teach privately in New York City,  and am on the faculties of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and the Bloomingdale School of Music.

 

When I'm not teaching or performing, I enjoy the many advantages that the city as to offer - taking my dogs out to the park, putting a mean steak on the grill, and spending time with my fiance.