"I enjoy translating my understanding of music and the violin into words and actions that make sense to each individual. I love those light bulb moments when it suddenly clicks and a whole new world of opportunity opens before the student. I love helping to create experiences of personal satisfaction that lead to intrinsic motivation and sheer joy!"
Hi! My name is Colleen Freeman and I am passionate about teaching the violin to people of all ages and experience levels in my hometown of Bellingham, WA. I began teaching in 2006 to pay my way while attending university. I quickly realized that it was something I thoroughly enjoyed and have continued teaching ever since.
I began learning to play the violin just before I turned 6. I was classically trained through the Suzuki Method until I discovered my Irish roots around the age of 9 and became deeply enthralled with Celtic fiddle music. I studied both classical violin and fiddle for the next 8 years with then local teacher/musician Anna Schaad before moving to Virginia for school. While in Virginia, I participated in their State Fiddle competition and took 1st place all three years that I entered.
In 2018, I self-released an EP of original songs I composed while traveling by bicycle and busking my way through Europe Horse Without Wings EP (2018), in 2021, I released an album of mostly original instrumental compositions with my band The Wandering Seas Pleasant Bay (2021), and in summer 2022, I released an EP of all original songs and tunes with my band Marie, The Band Where I Wanna Be (2022).
I currently write and perform with two local music projects, The Wandering Seas and Marie, The Band.
I began learning to play the violin just before I turned 6. I was classically trained through the Suzuki Method until I discovered my Irish roots around the age of 9 and became deeply enthralled with Celtic fiddle music. I studied both classical violin and fiddle for the next 8 years with then local teacher/musician Anna Schaad before moving to Virginia for school. While in Virginia, I participated in their State Fiddle competition and took 1st place all three years that I entered.
In 2018, I self-released an EP of original songs I composed while traveling by bicycle and busking my way through Europe Horse Without Wings EP (2018), in 2021, I released an album of mostly original instrumental compositions with my band The Wandering Seas Pleasant Bay (2021), and in summer 2022, I released an EP of all original songs and tunes with my band Marie, The Band Where I Wanna Be (2022).
I currently write and perform with two local music projects, The Wandering Seas and Marie, The Band.
I also have several instructional videos on YouTube which you can find here.