Hi, I’m Erika – a violinist with a passion for exploring healthy, creative, and mindful ways to make music.
I teach in-person and online violin lessons in the Seattle area and offer somatic movement education workshops as a Franklin Method Educator.
I was an enthusiastic violin student playing concertos, caprices, and sonatas without much awareness of how I used my body and mind while playing. When I was 16, I developed tendonitis and continued to struggle with playing-related injuries throughout my collegiate studies. Even though I worked with great teachers, physical therapists, and bodyworkers, my chronic pain persisted.
I know now that my story isn’t an isolated incident. Classical musicians today face high rates of musculoskeletal injuries. Violinists especially are at risk due to unhealthy practice habits and issues with posture or faulty technique. The way we move and play directly affects our well-being.
I went outside the classical music world to learn how to help musicians play with greater ease. My doctoral research investigated how violinists can incorporate movement education principles from the world of sports and kinesiology in the music studio. And in 2022, I became a certified Franklin Method Educator.
The Franklin Method® is a somatic method that teaches the fundamentals of healthy movement using embodied anatomy, gentle exercises, and mind-body techniques. I was first introduced to the Franklin Method during my graduate studies, and it has been instrumental in helping me reduce pain and fatigue and find more effortless ways to play the violin.
My pedagogical approach combines my 10+ years of teaching experience, Franklin Method™ training, and interdisciplinary research. I want to empower you with the resources and knowledge needed to play with confidence, joy, and healthy technique.
Photo by Junshi Yang
Dr. Erika Burns received violin performance degrees from the University of Oklahoma (Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts) and Western Washington University (Bachelor of Music) and is a certified Franklin Method Educator.
She maintains a violin studio in the greater Seattle area and teaches movement workshops for musicians.
Learn to play the violin with me! I offer in-person lessons in Lynnwood, WA and online violin lessons for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students ages 4 and up.
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Learn to move and play your instrument with greater ease, body awareness, and anatomical understanding. Offering somatic movement workshops and private sessions for professional musicians, students, educational institutions, and arts organizations.
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Learn more about musicians’ wellness and movement-based approaches to violin pedagogy. I’m sharing some of my doctoral research and favorite resources in and outside the classical music community.
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Educational Outreach
Do you want to learn more about musicians’ wellness, healthy movement, or new approaches to string pedagogy?
I am available to teach Franklin Method workshops, pedagogy presentations, and violin masterclasses at your institution or virtually through Zoom. Click the button below to learn more about my current offerings for educators and arts organizations.
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Photo by Junshi Yang
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Getting nerdy about all things musicians’ wellness, violin pedagogy, and Franklin Method!