Violin Lessons & Performance
Violinist Ann Lam has performed in major concert venues across the country, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center.
Most recently, Ann served as Principal Second Violin of Camerata Notturna, one of New York City's premiere chamber orchestras, performing alongside virtuosos Gil Kalish, Colin Carr, and Jessica Lee.
Dedicated to music education, Ann has over a decade's worth of experience in outreach work as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician. In classrooms across the globe, she strives to joyfully impart music fundamentals while fostering a curiosity for lifelong learning.
Professional Background
Master of Music degree in violin performance from SUNY Purchase. Former faculty member teaching music appreciation and history.
Carnegie Hall Experience
Coordinator for Family Programs & Neighborhood Concert Series. Produced major concerts featuring world-class orchestras and artists.
Music Education Leadership
Lead editor for all music education curriculum at Carnegie Hall (2007–2009). Created internationally used LinkUP! textbooks.
Current Work
Developing after-school music program at San Francisco Horace Mann Middle School in partnership with the San Francisco Community Music Center.
Teaching & Lessons
Private Instruction
- Individual violin lessons for all ages and levels
- Special emphasis on body and breath awareness
- Personalized instruction tailored to student goals
- Flexibility with scheduling and repertoire selection
- Preparation for examinations and performances
Educational Outreach
- Solo, chamber, and orchestral performance in schools
- Engaging presentations on music fundamentals
- Inspiring lifelong curiosity for learning
- Community concert series coordination
- Music appreciation workshops for all ages
Performance Highlights
Principal Second Violin
Camerata Notturna — NYC's premier chamber orchestra, performing with internationally recognized soloists including Gil Kalish (piano), Colin Carr (cello), and Jessica Lee (soprano).
Major Venue Performances
Performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, featuring orchestras including the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra of St. Luke's.
Neighborhood Concert Series
Coordinated world-class music performances across all five boroughs of New York City at no cost to audiences, bringing chamber music to Summer Stage, Celebrate Brooklyn, museums, libraries, and community centers.
Notable Artists
Performed with acclaimed artists including Jamie Bernstein, Sweet Honey In the Rock, and Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band.
Yoga for Musicians
"I discovered yoga during winter break of my freshman year in college. I was exhausted from an intense first semester of music school and needed to do something physical besides walking to and from the music building. After the first few classes, I quickly realized that yoga's benefits extended far beyond just my physical body, but also to my emotional and mental states. After spending hours in the practice room or in orchestra rehearsal, yoga is what kept my sanity."
— Ann Lam
Ann has practiced yoga since 2001 and received her 200-hour teacher training from Greenhouse Holistic in New York City. She currently teaches Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, and Restorative classes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Specializing in Yoga for Musicians
Drawing from her own experience as a classically trained violinist, Ann specializes in yoga for musicians—particularly string players. She regularly offers workshops and tailors private sessions to address:
- Back pain from sitting or standing in fixed positions for sustained periods
- Jaw, neck & shoulder tension from holding the instrument and following the conductor
- Carpal tunnel & tendonitis from repetitive motion in arms, wrists, and fingers
- Physical imbalances between left and right sides of the body
- Nervous tension from performance pressures
- Emotional stress and general frustration
Available for individual and small group sessions — both in-person in the Bay Area and online. Ann has worked closely with chamber ensembles, teaching pre-rehearsal yoga classes to stretch, strengthen, and focus the mind.
Inquire About Yoga ClassesWriting & Editing
Ann is an experienced editor and writer who brings a unique perspective to every project. She believes in the creative power of words to make people laugh, think differently, and see the world in new ways.
Featured Publications
Ann's writing and editorial work has appeared in top-tier outlets, including Untapped Cities — a critically acclaimed platform that brings readers into publicly inaccessible places and offers behind-the-scenes perspectives on cities worldwide.
Leading editorial direction for Untapped SF, sourcing writers and photographers to share innovative perspectives on the Bay Area.
Lead editor for music education curriculum and materials, including program notes, textbooks, and online resources.
Founder of two popular blogs—Time in New York and San Francisco Bound—exploring art, music, food, and cultural events.
Experienced in designing and editing newspaper and online advertisements, promotional materials, and digital content.
Whether you need copy editing, content development, feature writing, or editorial strategy, Ann brings both precision and creativity to every piece.
Read her work: Untapped Cities articles →
Follow on Twitter →
Student Testimonials
"Ann Lam was my daughter's violin teacher for a year and a half, and we couldn't have been more delighted with her if we had hand-crafted her ourselves. She embodies everything you could ever want for an instructor: patient, sweet and incredibly generous and kind. There is never a challenge that she is not up to meeting with laughter and grace. What is more remarkable is that she is skilled in teaching the violin not just as an instrument, but as a way for her students to better understand themselves in the amazing world of notes, music and song—while bringing out the very best in them as people and as developing artists."
"Ann is a warm, nurturing teacher who let our child explore her interest in music through balance. She was very good at focusing on the technical side of teaching the violin, making sure she did things precisely and correctly. At the same time she allowed our child to explore her artistic interest in music by allowing her to choose pieces to play and kept violin fun, interesting, and alive. She was extremely respectful to our child and worked with us as parents in communicating her ideas."
Get in Touch
For information on violin lessons and performance opportunities:
Based in San Francisco, CA
Available for private instruction, performances, and educational outreach