Richard
Hsu

Richard’s a Chicago native who picked up the violin at age two and never put it down. He's warm and down-to-earth in the studio, and one of his favorite parts of teaching is starting students from the beginning. Constantly performing and teaching, Richard’s a fixture of the local music scene in a way that's hard to miss.

What lessons are like: Richard begins students through the Suzuki Method, building technique patiently and methodically from the ground up — how to hold the instrument, how to hold the bow, how to really listen. He works especially well with beginners and loves watching a student's ear and technique develop together over time. With that said, if a student is aiming for the next level — real concerto-style playing, serious classical technique — Richard is who other teachers send their students to.

Great for: true beginners, including very young children and toddlers · families drawn to the Suzuki approach · advanced students ready to push the envelope into serious, concerto-level classical technique.

Background: Richard holds a performer diploma and Bachelor of Music from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, one of the country's top music schools, and furthered his training at Manhattan School of Music. Locally, he's a member and substitute concertmaster of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and performs with Bagaduce Chorale, Winter Harbor Music Festival, Bar Harbor Music Festival, and Penobscot Theater Company. He enjoys playing tennis, cooking, making espresso drinks, and trying to beat his son in chess.