Violin, Cello & Viola Lessons for Kids and Adults in Seattle

Whether you’re enrolling a five-year-old in their first lessons or picking up a string instrument for the first time as an adult, our teachers meet you where you are. Meter Music School offers private violin, cello, and viola lessons at two Seattle studios — the Central District and Columbia City — for complete beginners through advanced players. We also teach fiddle for students drawn to folk and traditional styles rather than classical technique.

What to Expect in a Lesson

Lessons run 30, 45, or 60 minutes, once a week. Your teacher builds a plan around your instrument and the style you’re drawn to — classical repertoire, folk and fiddle traditions, or a mix — rather than a fixed curriculum everyone follows the same way. Early lessons typically cover posture, bow technique, and tone production, since strings ask for more physical setup than some instruments before the music itself comes easily. Younger students often start with simplified pieces and rhythm games; older beginners and adults tend to move faster once the fundamentals are in place.

Choosing Between Violin, Viola, and Cello

Families often ask which instrument to start with. Violin is the most common starting point and the smallest of the three, which makes it a comfortable size for younger kids. We suggest that young beginners visit a shop like Bischofberger for instrument rental and sizing. Viola is close in technique to violin but tuned lower, and often appeals to students who want a slightly different sound or role in an ensemble. Cello is larger, played seated, and has its own distinct technique — a good fit for a student drawn to its deeper range from the start. Your teacher can help you decide based on age, size, and the sound you’re after, and switching between them later is possible if your interest shifts.

When to Start

Five years old is a common starting age, but it depends on the child and the instrument — cello in particular often works better starting a bit older, given its size. There’s no upper limit on the other end. A meaningful share of our string students are adults, some returning to an instrument they played in school, others starting completely fresh.

Adult String Students

If you’re an adult considering lessons, you’re not the exception here. Adult students learn differently than kids — lessons tend to move at a faster pace and lean more on the music and goals you bring in, whether that’s returning to an instrument you set down years ago, joining a community orchestra, or learning fiddle tunes for the first time.

Meet the String Teachers

Our string teachers teach across classical and folk traditions, on violin, viola, and cello.

• See current violin teachers and their availability →
• See current viola teachers and their availability →
• See current cello teachers and their availability →

Our Studios

Central District — 2110 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122

Columbia City — 4435 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

Both studios have dedicated practice rooms — a quiet space to work on tone and technique that’s often hard to find at home. Families and adult students from Madrona, Leschi, Capitol Hill, Mt. Baker, Hillman City, Seward Park, and Beacon Hill study with us at one location or the other, whichever is the shorter drive.

Common Questions

Do I need my own instrument to start? Yes, string instruments need to be sized correctly for the player, especially for kids — we can help point you toward rental or purchase options sized for a beginner before your first lesson.

How much are lessons? See our Tuition & Fees page →

Can I switch between instruments or teachers later? Yes! Students can change to a different instrument or a different teacher at any time. You can make these changes in your portal or work with our front desk staff to go over the options.

What if I need to reschedule? See our School Policies page →