Viola Lessons for Intermediateand Advanced students

Welcome! I am Deanna Petre, professional violist based in the Twin Cities. I am passionate about teaching private viola lessons for intermediate and advanced students. With my well-rounded approach, my goal is to guide students to develop their technique and musicality, to build confidence on stage, and foster a life-long enjoyment of playing.

With over 14 years of experience, I currently hold a private viola studio in Minneapolis. Previously I taught privately in Paris, where I lived for a decade, taught for the MAP Program at the Juilliard School, at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, and have given master classes and worked with k-12 students across Europe through the Juilliard Global program.

My goal is to guide each student in developing their technique and musicality so they can use music as a meaningful form of expression and artistic voice. I emphasize beautiful tone production, phrasing, intonation, rhythm, and efficient use of the body to minimize unnecessary tension, as well as building stage presence and confidence. I work with students on solo repertoire, orchestral and ensemble parts, and audition preparation.

I draw much of my teaching inspiration from the incredible viola pedagogues I had the pleasure of studying with, including Jeffrey Irvine at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Heidi Castleman at the Juilliard School, and Jean Sulem at the Paris Conservatoire.