Private String Lessons

Making learning easy with the guaranteed success method.

Online or In Person Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass.

Serving Colfax, Weimar, Auburn, Roseville, and Rocklin in Placer County, California.

Experience the joy of music with the Guaranteed Success Method!

Let’s face it, learning a string instrument is hard and does not provide the instant satisfaction that some other instruments (like piano) are able to provide. Yet, with the guidance of an experienced success guaranteed method teacher, each step of the learning process is broken down into small and easily digestible pieces so that the student experiences success after success. With guided video support between lessons, step by step practice instructions, practice tracks, an app that tracks practice and a fun reward system, each student will experience the joy of success and ultimately, the joy of music.

Parents also benefit from the success guaranteed method! With a clearly laid out step by step method and full practice support after their child is finished with the lesson, all the guess work and anxiety is taken out of practicing.

We offer classes and ensembles too!

Strings Success Orchestra

The Sierra String Orchestra is designed for developing players, focusing on the development of musicianship, ensemble skills, technique, and sound production. Through engaging and beautiful repertoire, musicians will be challenged and inspired, growing both individually and as part of an ensemble. This orchestra provides a supportive and enriching environment for players to advance their skills while making music they love.

Join our vibrant group violin class where young musicians can explore the joy of music in a fun, collaborative environment. Through engaging activities and expert instruction, students will develop essential skills, foster creativity, and build lasting friendships while learning to play the violin. Perfect for beginners and those with some experience, this class nurtures a lifelong love of music!

Group Violin Classes

General Music Classes

A group music class that comes to YOU!
In our general music education class for children ages 5-9, your child will begin a fun, engaging journey into the world of music. This class is designed to develop their pre-instrument musicianship and music literacy. But music literacy is more than just learning to read notes! It’s about helping your child feel music, create it, and connect with it emotionally and intellectually.

Meet the Instructors

Fernando and Emily Martins, the founders of Strings Success, are a dedicated husband and wife team committed to nurturing young musicians. With a shared passion for music and education, they created a welcoming environment where students can discover their potential and develop their skills. Their combined expertise and enthusiasm inspire creativity and foster a love for music, making Strings Success a thriving community for aspiring artists.

  • Private Lesson Teacher, Group Violin and General Music

    Emily Martins is a versatile and accomplished violist and educator with Suzuki training, a bachelor's degree in music education from SUNY Fredonia and a master's in viola performance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she served as a teaching assistant. Her teaching career spans an impressive range of environments, from her first role as orchestra director at the Manhattan Academy for Arts and Language, an inner-city public school in Manhattan,  to elite private schools in Houston, Texas. 

    Emily’s string orchestras have performed internationally, showcasing their talents in Germany, Austria, and Hungary. As a seasoned orchestral musician, she has performed in over 15 countries and has made a lasting impact through her work with underprivileged children in Haiti as part of a music education project. With 15 years of experience in teaching private violin and viola lessons, as well as college courses in music education, she brings her wealth of knowledge and passion for music education to students of all ages.


  • Director, Strings Success Orchestra, Private Lesson Instructor

    Fernando Martins is an accomplished violinist and educator, holding an undergraduate degree in violin performance from DePaul University and a master’s degree in violin performance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he also served as a teaching assistant. Currently completing his doctorate in music education from Liberty University, Fernando brings a deep knowledge of string pedagogy and a standard for excellence that is rare to find. 

    What sets Fernando apart is his ability to combine this pursuit of excellence with a sense of humor that transforms rehearsals into an enjoyable, rewarding process. His ensembles are known for their rich sound and deeply musical interpretations, with an engaging and fun process. 

    In addition to his work as an educator, Fernando has rich performing experience, having played as an orchestral musician in both the United States and Brazil, where he gained invaluable insight into professional performance and ensemble leadership. 

    Before his current role, Fernando taught a thriving orchestra program in Texas with nearly 300 students, leading them to success in various competitions. Now, as the music department chair at Weimar University, he teaches music theory, aural training, violin, and music education courses, continuing to inspire and lead with both rigor and joy.


Testimonials

  • “I am really grateful for Emily’s time and talent that she shares with my daughter. She learned to love Viola because of her influence—- I have seen how serious my daughter was during the summer time to practice and we were able to render special music for the first time in our church because of Emily’s talent in teaching – she is an inspiration to my daughter.”

    Rowelin M.

  • “Fernando Martins is an exceptional violinist with extensive performing and teaching experience. His deep knowledge of the violin, combined with his outstanding pedagogical skills, makes him a highly effective and inspiring teacher. Fernando’s ability to convey complex musical concepts in an accessible and engaging way ensures that his students not only improve their technical abilities but also develop a deep appreciation for the instrument. His passion for both performance and education shines through in everything he does, making him a truly invaluable musician and educator.”

    Andrés Mendoza