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Natasha “Nisha” von Bartheld
- What is your teaching philosophy?Comfort is key! My number one priority when I teach is to create a safe space where my students feel emotionally and physically comfortable. I approach teaching as a partnership between myself and the student—I am an expert on violin, but only they know what feels best in their body and mind. I’ve always observed that students play their best when they feel happy and relaxed.What is your favorite thing about teaching music?My favorite thing about teaching music is when a light bulb goes off and I can see a sense of discovery and joy in a student’s eyes. It’s extremely gratifying to help a student become able to fully express themself through music.What does music mean to you?When I was growing up, music was one of the only ways in which I felt comfortable expressing my feelings and being vulnerable. It was a way to communicate and relate to others without using words. Music also provided me with a tight knit community of incredibly creative, passionate, and loving people. There’s nothing better than connecting with other people by sharing a beautiful, intimate musical experience.Why is music education important?Music is like a language. If you are exposed to it as a young child, you pick it up naturally. Music is such an invaluable gift to have in one’s life—I consider music to be the most incredible thing I’ve ever experienced. This is why music education is important. Everyone deserves to learn how to play music because it can be so enriching to our lives. I personally can’t imagine my life without music, and I want every child to at least have the opportunity to experience how magical music-making is.About Me:Hi! My name is Nisha and I grew up in Reno, Nevada. I started playing violin when I was 5, joined my first youth orchestra when I was 9, and have loved performing ever since. I’ve been in lots of orchestras, including the National Youth Orchestra-USA and Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, but I am most passionate about chamber music and concert production. In high school I ran a student chamber ensemble that gigged around my hometown, and in college I founded a concert startup designed with the “college student” vibe in mind (lounge seating, string lights, MC’s and all). I got a Bachelor’s in Music and a minor in Entrepreneurship from Northwestern University in Illinois, where I began my teaching career with the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative. Once I got sick of the frigid Chicago winters, I decided to move to Portland and I’m super happy here (so relieved to be back west)! I recently discovered a love for bluegrass and am excited to explore more genres and types of live music in the city. 🙂
