A belief in the inherent potential of every child.
A culture of community and excellence.
Tested, research-based methods.
Award-winning pedagogy.
Proven results.
The AVIVA Young Artists Program is an award-winning web-based music education program for young violinists. Founded by Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Brown in 2012, it was the first of its kind in the world. Nearly a decade later, we continue to specialize in providing the highest quality, tailor-made and transformative learning experiences to young violinists around the world.
Our Values
A belief in the inherent potential of every child.
The program is guided first and foremost by an underlying belief that every child has the potential and the ability to make music in a beautiful and meaningful way, and that in doing so, they learn invaluable lessons that will make their lives richer: to make music, to create something beautiful in the world, to form habits purposefully, to practice a skill daily, to persevere in the face of challenge, to set a goal and meet it, and to connect deeply on a human level with others.
Tested, research-based methods.
The experience of more than 15,000 online lessons with violinists of all ages, levels and backgrounds partnered with ongoing research in neuroscience, bilateral integration, educational psychology and leadership is a powerful combination. We use these tested, research-based methods to help all students succeed to the very best of their abilities, regardless of their age, playing level or aspirations.
A culture of caring about people.
Knowing that you’re welcome just as you are, able to fail without the fear of judgment, and surrounded with peers and teachers who will see the growth in your stumbles and celebrate your successes with you is a pretty great feeling. It’s the basis of our program’s culture because it paves the way for transformative learning experiences, deep personal connections, and the motivation to constantly reach higher.
Innovative teaching.
Teaching the same things in the same ways again and again is a recipe for ineffective pedagogy, especially online. Ongoing professional development, academic research, curriculum design (and re-design), and yearly pilot projects help to keep everyone - teachers and students - engaged with new material and learning at their best.
Excellence. Period.
AYAP lessons, classes and events are often full of laughter and smiles on both sides of the screen, but the underlying mission is always clear: we are all working in pursuit of excellence. For those on the teaching staff, it is the pursuit of stellar pedagogy and the highest levels of professional musicianship and artistry. For our students, it is the pursuit of excellence as musicians on the journey to becoming accomplished young artists and learners whose focus, determination and effective habits will take them wherever it is they would like to go.
Curious to know more? You can read about our teaching philosophy here.
Our specialties:
Personalized pedagogical plans
Practice fundamentals
Technical rehabilitation
Exam preparation (RCM, ABRSM, Trinity)
Competition preparation
Audition coaching
Orchestral excerpt preparation
Teacher training
Early-Years violin pedagogy
Curriculum design
How we know it works:
100% success rate on exams from the Royal Conservatory of Music and the ABRSM, including multiple medal winners.
Prizewinners at regional, national and international competitions and festivals.
Acceptances to major university music programs worldwide.
Participation in international summer festivals.
Average progress rate of 1.5-2 RCM levels per year.
What People Are Saying
“I really like Mary-Beth’s teaching because it’s easy to understand what she’s explaining. I’m so glad to be able to take lessons in Tampa where there’s not teachers like her and it feels like she’s in person with me even on zoom.”
— Amelie, Age 12
“Although our daughters, aged 10 and 12, have very different personalities and needs, both respond to Mary-Beth's dynamic personality and honestly adore her! During lessons, she wastes no time identifying which spots to focus on, and then gives specific instructions about how to practice each one, so as to maximize our progress during the week. She accomplishes this with nothing but kindness, encouragement, and positivity!”
— Michael LaCroix, PhD (music composition), piano teacher, dad
“Her radiant smile and heart-full personality combined with her exceptional musical talent create something really quite extraordinary – something you just don’t find every day. In her teaching, her own passion for music and love of the violin come through in a way that is somehow contagious – and very inspiring.”