Bio
Born in Hutchinson, Kansas, Alicia started Violin at the age of 11. Beginning the violin in public school and continuing to pursue her journey with the instrument helped guide Alicia to find her passion for teaching violin/viola. Coming from a family of seven children, she was the first to touch a violin and achieve two degrees. She received her bachelor degree (2020) in Violin Performance from Kansas Wesleyan University, under the teaching of Doug Beyer and Laura Hammes-Black. Mora then continued her post graduate education at the University of Oregon, under the teaching of Hal Grossman, where she received her Masters in Violin Performance (2022), with a Specialization in Violin/Viola Pedagogy. Alicia began competing at the age of 18. In 2019 she was a prize winner of her university’s concerto/aria competition at Kansas Wesleyan University, performing Henri Vieuxtemp’s Violin Concerto, No. 5 with orchestra. In 2022, Alicia competed in the final round of the Music & More Summerfest’s Concerto Competition, performing Bach’s Violin Concerto in E Major, with a live audience in the beautiful country of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Mora continues to ‘finetune’ her craft as a musician and teacher. Her journey as a Mexican-American violinist is a testament to show that no matter what age you are, you can achieve new heights.
My teaching phoilosophy
Just like Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, I believe every child is born with the ability to learn the violin. No child should be deprived of learning an instrument. Not only children, but young adults, and full grown adults have the ability to keep learning. My philosophy is that the learning never stops. Whether it is a 3 year old child, or a 30 year old adult, there are so many things about ourself and music that we can always learn from at any age.
methods
The Suzuki method is the innards of my teaching curriculum. In addition, I supplement with aural training, note reading, and a combination of standard etude books. Some specific books I work from are the Galamian Scale Book, and etude books by Kreutzer, Sitt, Dont, Mazas, Wolhfart, Kayser, Trott, plus many more.
Technique
Not only do I believe that everyone has the ability to learn an instrument. I also truly believe that everyone can learn with ease. Practicing does not have to be painful. As a musician who has been injured, it is my goal to make sure students learn to play an instrument without experiencing so much pain. This requires awareness of the body, and creativity in the practice room. Body awareness can be trained even at a young age.