"Shem invests in the long-term joy and health of his students. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been playing for 20 days or 20 years - Shem believes in teaching the fundamentals of violin playing to everyone so that they can play pain-free forever. Two years ago, I was haunted by past violin-related injuries and avoided the violin for fear of re-injury. Thinking about the violin brought waves of anxiety, shame, and guilt. Because of Shem’s wholistic approach to violin playing, which includes qigong work, attention to emotional state, and compassion, I am now able to play pain-free and, most importantly, with joy."

- Gabrielle Hemlick
Private Violin Student, NYC

“I have performed with Shem Guibbory for over 15 years, watched him coach ensembles, lead seminars, and deliver lectures and masterclasses. I have witnessed first-hand his ability to inspire students and colleagues with his artistry, passion for music, and vast musical knowledge. He has a remarkable gift for encouraging musicians at all stages, from young students to adult amateurs to professional musicians.”

- Linda Rosenthal
Violin Soloist & Chamber Musician, NYC

Shem is a truly inspirational teacher: his empathy, creativity, and passion for music is contagious and you leave class feeling inspired and energised.   Beyond helping me improve as a violin player, he made me a better musician by teaching me how to listen.   He had a long-term plan for my musical growth that focused not only on my technical skills but on the relationship I should have with the instrument and music for the rest of my life.  Shem is more than an excellent violin teacher, he is an educator who taught me an approach to practice and skills that apply to any endeavor I undertake.

- Audrey Miller
Private Violin Student, San Francisco CA

I highly recommend Shem Guibbory’s method to students and professionals alike who seek to strengthen their awareness and connection to the essence of the music performed as well as to those who are seeking to break through their practice routines and acquire a better understanding of the performance psychology. His insightful and inspirational method is a great tool for anyone who seeks to refine their performance skills.

- Pavel Vinnitsky, Internationally Recognized Clarinetist
Chair of Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion Department and
Associate Professor of Clarinet, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

I have worked with Shem Guibbory several times in chamber music performance and have had the good fortune to collaborate on some musical coaching projects as well.  He is able to look beyond and in-depth several layers into both the music and the player.   With a unique vocabulary and thoughtful imagery he is able to communicate to fellow musicians and students effective ways to discover their own ability to convey every expressive and artistic ambition of their performance. -

- Joseph Gottesman
Professional Violist & Chamber Musician
Faculty Western Washington University, Seattle WA

Shem Guibbory is a phenomenal artist who is fully committed to helping others achieve their full expressive and creative potentials. As a coach, Shem is highly discerning and perceptive. He zeros in on exactly what would be best for your artistic development. He really nails it. He never just tells you what needs improvement; he always draws upon his vast store of musical and creative resources to come up with brilliant solutions. In my case, the solutions he suggested have taken me farther artistically than I almost thought possible, and have done this in a very short period of time.

- Judith Kellock, Soprano
Former Professor of Music, Cornell University

Shem is a truly phenomenal teacher who greatly refined and enhanced my violin playing. His instruction and innovative teaching style took my strengths as a violinist and improved them, along with filling in important gaps in my toolkit as a musician in ways that I never even considered possible. Additionally, Shem has taught me the knowledge and discipline I need to elevate my level of technique and musicianship going into the future.

- Michael Franceski
Private Violin Student, Greenwich CT

Your masterclass was incredible.   To be able to work so well with these young students, bringing out their best in such a short time, is a testament to your musical and communication skills, not to mention experience.   Their parents & teachers were duly impressed and very grateful for all that you accomplished during that hour…Everyone there could hear that the sounds they produced at the end were on a higher level than those they started with, and they played with much more confidence.

- Neva Pilgrim, Soprano
Former Program Director, Cazenovia Counterpoint
Former Artist-in-Residence & Teacher of Voice, Colgate University