Instructor Biographies

Erica Adams Ochoa, Violin & Viola

Erica Adams Ochoa is a native of Colorado, grew up listening to bluegrass and country music. From an early age, there was always music in her home. She began to study the piano at age nine and started to teach herself the violin at age eleven. She loved the violin so much that she got a job to pay for lessons since money was a little tight at home. She decided to pursue her musical career at the University of Northern Colorado, where she received a full scholarship to attend and began her studies as a performance major in violin. Erica transfered to Arizona State University in 1998 and began her studies in Music Education with an emphasis in strings. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with her BM in 2000. During her musical studies, Erica has studied with Richard Fuchs, Dr. Frank Spinosa and studied Rolland pedagogy with Dr. Marla Mutschler. She has attended master classes under prestigous performers such as Johsua Bell, Edgar Meyer, Rachel Barton-Pine and Reiko Watanabe.

Erica enjoys teaching violin and piano at her studio in Rancho Bernardo. She teaches a variety of ages with her youngest student being three and her oldest a ripe age of eighty-six! Erica teaches a combination of the Suzuki Method and traditional style when teaching the violin. She also incoporates the usage of folk songs, fiddle, jazz, rock and blues into her teaching style.

Erica has been performing on the violin and piano since the age of twelve. At age sixteen, she was the youngest member of the Grand Junction Symphony--her first paying gig. Erica has since then played in many orchestras and chamber groups. She loves to play classical music, but her love of grassroots music is where her passion lies today.

Erica has been singing and playing in alternative style music groups for the last 10 years in San Diego. She learned to play the guitar and the mandolin somewhere along the way. She co-founded the group Tangent 9, a jazz-fusion acoustic group.

With her newest passion being jazz, rock and bluegrass, Erica has made it an imperative to continue her studies in that direction. She has taken classes with notables such as Mark O'Connor, Mark Wood, Matt Glaser and John Blake. She has taken multiple workshops and classes with members of the Turtle Island String Quartet; David Balakrishnan, Jermey Kittel and Mark Summer. She has also had the honor of performing with local jazz greats such as pianist Geoffrey Keezer and guitarist Peter Sprague. Erica recently played on Geoffrey Keezer and Peter Sprague's colaberation album Mill Creek Road.

Aside from jazz, rock and bluegrass, Erica is also very interested in Latin and Flamenco music. She looks forward to learning more about this music in the future.

Erica currently plays with her husband, Art Ochoa, in their acoustic duo, Artica.

You can view more information about Erica on her website: http://www.ericaadamsochoa.com.

For rates, availability and all other inquiries, you may contact Erica directly at ericajoadams@gmail.com or 858.243.3465.