Ava Nasrollahi

Music has been a part of my life since I was four years old, when I began learning the violin. During my teenage years, I expanded my musical studies to piano. My first experience with orchestra began at First Colony Middle School, and I immediately fell in love with everything about it. I became deeply involved in the orchestra program, serving as first chair as well as Orchestra President. Taking on a leadership role at such a young age sparked my interest not only in performing, but also in leading, mentoring, and being an active part of the musical community.

I continued my musical journey at Clements High School, where I was a member of its highly recognized orchestra program. Region auditions, competitions, and performances became an important part of my musical education. Those experiences now play a major role in how I prepare my own students for auditions and performances. One of my proudest accomplishments as a teacher has been seeing my violin students successfully earn placements through Region Orchestra auditions.

I have been teaching music since 2015 and studied K–12 education at the University of Houston. Over the years, I have continued expanding my training so that I can better understand how children learn and how music education can be adapted to meet the needs of each individual student. I am Yamaha-trained and hold a Yamaha teaching certificate, as well as a KEK (Keyboard Encounters for Kids) certificate.

Throughout my years of teaching, I have also had the opportunity to work with children on the autism spectrum and with students who learn and communicate in different ways. This has become an area of music education that I am increasingly passionate about exploring. I have seen firsthand how music can provide children with another way to communicate, build confidence, express themselves, and experience a sense of accomplishment.

After more than a decade of teaching, my passion continues to grow. Every student is different, and one of the things I value most as an educator is discovering the approach that allows each child to learn, progress, and develop their own relationship with music.