professional violist and violin teacher cambridge ma

I am a violist, violinist and private teacher opening my teaching studio in Cambridge, Massachusetts in May 2026! With 10 years of experience teaching students of all ages and levels across three countries, I am expanding my violin and viola studio in my hometown and online. I have performed across the United States, Germany, France, and Switzerland with award-winning orchestras and chamber ensembles.

CREDENTIALS

Performance:

Viola second soloist (assistant principal): Opéra Orchestra National Montpellier
Principal viola: Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau
Tutti viola: Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra
Academist: Kammerakademie Potsdam
Tutti viola: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Teaching:

Private violin and viola studio for 10 years
Viola Professor: Consérvatoire Régional de Montpellier
Teaching Artist: VIA Music Academy
Juilliard Morse Teaching Artist Fellowship

Education:

Master of Orchestral Performance: Universität der Künste Berlin (viola professor Wilfried Strehle)
Master of Music: The Juilliard School (viola professor Misha Amory)
Bachelor of Science: Tufts University (viola professor Rictor Noren)

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

“I have studied viola with Julia for several years, starting as an adult beginner. I chose Julia because she was a serious Juilliard graduate and then continued, absolutely certain I had found a dream professional violist who was interested in how people “could” learn based on their learning style and what their goals were for music! She sees, listens, communicates and delights in the learning experience. Her skill level is professional. Julia will start with you wherever you are at and take you where you feel you want to go. She is intuitive and skilled and allowed me to experiment with how to approach the viola; becoming comfortable with the instrument, getting a good sound, learning to hang in there and to see that the doing IS the progress.” -Jacqueline, student since 2022
“I have been taking violin lessons with Julia for over three years now. I had restarted playing violin as an adult and she had worked with me since day one of starting over. She is a wonderful teacher and mentor during and outside of lessons. She has gone above and beyond to answer questions outside of our lesson hours and put in extra time for me that she didn’t have to do. With her help I just won my first position with an orchestra. She’s a wonderful person, very easy to talk to and wonderful at explaining concepts.” -Whitney, student since 2022
“Julia is a fantastic teacher. She is enthusiastic, incredibly patient, and highly knowledgeable – her musical talent and experience are clear from the first lesson, and her work is truly inspiring. I couldn’t recommend Julia enough!” -Gidget, former student from 2018-2020

TEACHING RATES

Lesson duration	Individual rate	6-lesson package	Semester package
30 minutes	$65	$363 ($60.50/lesson)	$1,287 ($58.50/lesson)
45 minutes	$86	$480 ($80/lesson)	$1,705 ($77.50/lesson)
60 minutes	$100	$558 ($93/lesson)	$1,980 ($90/lesson)

Individual lessons rate: Flexible lessons scheduled on a lesson to lesson basis.
6 lesson package: 7% discount and commitment to weekly lessons in packs of 6, billed at the beginning of each cycle.
Semester package: 10% discount and semesterly commitment of 22 weekly lessons, billed at the beginning of the semester. Students beginning mid semester will only pay for the portion of lessons that they receive.
Please note that lesson packages are non-refundable in the case of student cancellation.
PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle are accepted. Credit card payment will be available beginning in September.
For in-home lessons, additional travel fees apply.

MY TEACHING METHOD

A welcoming, non judgmental learning environment
Beautiful phrasing and musicality, not just technical excellence
Efficient and thoughtful practice skills
Strategies that maintain consistency and commitment
Sustainable and healthy physical setup
Ear training at every level based on the Suzuki method
Recognition of progress and success
Psychology-inspired tools to encourage a positive mindset and minimize performance anxiety
Customized lesson plans to cater to the specific background and goals of each individual
Audition preparation for advanced students preparing for a career in music
Flexible lesson scheduling between online and in person lessons to allow for flexibility of your time

MY CREDENTIALS

Masters degree in viola performance from the Juilliard School
Morse Teaching Artist fellowship at the Juilliard School
Bachelors degree in biopsychology from Tufts University
10 years of teaching experience
5 years as a principal and tutti violist in professional orchestras
4 professional orchestra auditions won
International performance experience in the US, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, China, and Mexico
Trilingual in English, French, and German
Former mentors include Wilfried Strehle (former principal viola of the Berlin Philharmonic), Misha Amory (Violist of the Brentano Quartet), and Rictor Noren (Professor of violin, viola, and pedagogy at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee)

Request Availability for Violin and Viola Lessons

WEDDINGS AND EVENTS

Offering classical, folk, and pop string music for any occasion

Looking for string quartet music for your wedding or event? Since 2016, Julia McLean has been performing for weddings and other special events as soloist and as part of string quartets. Whether your event requires solo violin or viola music or a string quartet, you can reach out to make an inquiry by clicking below.