Testimonials
From Sandy:
It is such an honor to tell you about Regina Sadowski. She is one of those rare teachers who makes a lifelong impact on her students. Regina is a talented, genius violinist – an artist who can also teach. Our daughter started as Regina’s student at the age of 7 after begging us for lessons. When I asked why she wanted to learn the violin, she said “I want to make beautiful music.” I had learned to play the viola in junior high school, so I knew that “making beautiful music” is not an easy challenge. However, our daughter persisted and we agreed to let her take lessons with the understanding that she needed to persist even when it felt difficult, at least for a semester.
We had long supported Bloomingdale, our neighborhood music school, and so we signed her up for lessons. Thankfully our daughter was paired with one of the very best teachers at the school. Regina is a gifted teacher. Her approach to teaching is nothing short of magical. I watched her patiently tune into exactly what our daughter needed to learn to play her violin. Our introverted daughter clearly had a gift for music. She could hear the notes and could read music from almost the beginning. Any other teacher, seeing this child with a natural gift, would have pushed too hard, not allowing her to progress at a comfortable pace – but not Regina. She has a holistic approach to teaching that embraces all aspects of a student. Our daughter studied with Regina from the age of 7 until high school. With Regina’s guidance, our daughter was chosen for a city-wide orchestra and also was admitted to LaGuardia High School, which has one of the most competitive audition processes in the country.
Regina’s ability to connect with each and every one of her students, not only in teaching violin skills, but also on an emotional level, makes her that rare teacher who leaves a positive, indelible, lifelong impact on her students. Even though Regina moved away, we all are grateful for the gifts she gave to our daughter and the connection Regina still has with our family. There is no better violin teacher than Regina, and we recommend that you give your child, teen or even yourself the gift of lessons with this extraordinary teacher.
From Stefanie:
Regina Sadowski is a one of a kind teacher who openly shares her talent and dedication, humanity and humility, and quirky sense of humor with her students. She was Jonah’s first violin teacher in NYC. For 6 years, Regina recognized and nurtured his talent, encouraging what has become a lifelong love of the violin.
We are grateful for her open minded approach to experimentation, improvisation, and composition. She took the time to get to know Jonah personally, tailoring lessons that encouraged his strengths and allowed him to thrive as an individual. She intuited that Jonah would take to improvisation and composition at a very young age and developed his talent with care and pride, providing him with a strong technical foundation and a love for jamming. She taught him the basics-technique, sight reading, instrument care, etc., but more importantly, she created a safe environment where he could build his musical confidence slowly over time. In this atmosphere of trust, Regina knew how and when to challenge Jonah to live up to her high expectations of him.
Regina teaches with love – for the instrument, the music, and her students. She makes you feel like you’re part of her family. She teaches by example and manages to somehow bring joy even to the most mundane parts of learning a new instrument.
Even though Regina is no longer on the East coast, we’ve stayed in touch because she is ‘family’ to us and we are grateful to all she has given Jonah musically and personally. Jonah is currently a Jazz performance major at the New England Conservatory of Music.
From Jennifer Black:
Years ago, as a thirty-year-old with a newfound desire to play the violin, I was looking for a teacher with a sense of humor and LOTS of patience. I’d had a couple of false starts with other teachers. But then the universe brought me Regina, who was exactly what I was searching for plus much more I didn’t know I needed.
In the early minutes of the first lesson, I knew she was the right one. Everything about her was welcoming. She is the most encouraging person I’ve ever known. She has so much confidence and belief in me that it’s almost impossible for me not to absorb some of it myself. She rejoices over the tiniest achievements. Her insistence on having fun sometimes matches that of a parent on a way-too-expensive trip to Disney World—but it usually works and doesn’t make me cry.
Regina has contagious joy and a clear passion for teaching and music and is generous with her time and knowledge. With her endless positivity and wisdom, she’s like Yoda in my head while I’m practicing. Her lessons also have magical powers: I’m constantly looking forward to the next one, and when it finally arrives, it sends my everyday worries away. Afterward, I’m left with bubbly, happy energy and a new perspective that makes everything seem easier.
Life events parted us too soon in our initial teacher/student relationship, but fifteen years later we have reconnected for online lessons. Although remote lessons present unique challenges and I terribly miss seeing Regina in person and playing music together, she has a gift for explaining things descriptively, so Zoom lessons are equally thorough. I’m thankful for any opportunity to learn from her, and I would recommend her to anyone looking for an inspiring, perceptive, and collaborative teacher.
From Brandon Vazquez, Senior Director at Bloomingdale School of Music in NYC
Everybody loves Regina Sadowski! Regina is a gifted teacher and communicator who is very funny and witty. In my many years of teaching, I’ve never seen a teacher who connected more with their students than her. Regina taught violin lessons, group classes, and string orchestra at Bloomingdale School of Music for 8 years. She also taught in public schools through a joint program sponsored by Bloomingdale School of Music and VH1 Save the Music. She was well respected and esteemed highly by students, families, colleagues, and peers. Anyone who studies with Regina will not be disappointed!