Elizabeth MacCorquodale
Dr. Elizabeth's Violin Studio
A dedicated teacher as well as performer, Dr. MacCorquodale has been actively involved in the training of young violinists in NYC and abroad. She currently maintains a private violin/piano studio in Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra. She regularly performs with the Santa Cruz Symphony and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. Dr. MacCorquodale has previously held the positions as instructor for Stony Brook University Undergraduate Ensemble and Pre-College Programs, as well as the Herald School of Music and the Joyous School of Music in New York. She has served on the judging panels of the New York International Music Competition and the United States Open Music Competition in CA.
Through her work as an instructor, Elizabeth has built up a studio of very talented musicians, some who have performed in such acclaimed venues as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Teatro Paco de la Musica in Rome, Wigmore Hall in London and Citi Field. Many of Dr. MacCorquodale’s students have received top scores in the Royal Conservatory of Music, the New York State School Music Association Exams (NYSSMA), the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Exams (ABRSM) and others have been accepted into top universities in the country such as NYU, Bard University, SFCM, Juilliard Pre-College and Rutgers University.
Her students have also been featured in broadcasts for radio and TV stations including FOX News, the Don Francisco Show on NBC, the Harry Connick Jr. Show on Fox, SAT. 1 TV in Germany, for President Obama at the National Tree Lighting Ceremony, Good Morning America on ABC News.
Using the YouTube link on the right you can watch videos of Dr. Elizabeth’s students performing.
Teaching Philoshopy
My work as a teaching artist has brought me a significant amount of experience in the training of young musicians of all levels, from beginners to university level. It is my goal to bring out the greatest potential in every student by tailoring every lesson towards the direct needs of each individual student. By learning the violin and piano, students develop skills in creative thinking, problem solving, communication and a stronger work ethic. Skills outside of music will be empowered such as public speaking, self-discipline, time management and self-confidence.
The potential of every student is unlimited. I am open to anyone who has the desire to learn an instrument. I am trained to work with students of all ages and aim to build a love of music, good work habits and outstanding achievement in every student beyond their expectations. I focus on establishing a solid technical foundation and work with the student to achieve their individual goals.
Recent Student Accomplishments
February 2024
Ramanuja – Silver Prize Winner, Canadian International music competition Eric, FIRST PRIZE Winner, American Protege. Chloe, SECOND PRIZE Winner, United States Open Music Competition
October 2023
Chloe Law – FIRST PRIZE Winner, New York Young Virtuoso Competition
July 2023
Ethan Shen – FIRST PRIZE Winner, GCMA International Competition Nathan Cho, FIRST PRIZE Winner, GCMA International Competition Emily Shen, FIRST PRIZE Winner, GCMA International Competition
May 2023
David Sun – FIRST PRIZE Winner, Virtuosi International Music Competition-Salzburg & Barcelona
April 2023
David Sun – FIRST PRIZE Winner, “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition David Sun – THIRD PRIZE Winner International Grande Music Competition
March 2023
Katherine Jang – FIRST PRIZE Winner Pacific Musical Society & Foundation
February 2023
Emily Shen, FIRST PRIZE Winner, “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition Katherine Jang – SECOND PRIZE Winner KAMSA Competition
March 2022
Larry Pham – SECOND PRIZE Winner, US International Open Music Competition Ramanuja V., SECOND PRIZE Winner, “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition
November 2022
Aaron Ko – SECOND PRIZE Winner, Grand Maestro International Music Competition Committee Emily Shen- FIRST PRIZE Winner San Francisco International Innovative Competition
January 2022:
Katherine Jang – Concerto Competition Winner, Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra
December 2021
Penelope Cheung – SECOND PRIZE Winner, Elite International Music Competition
August 2021
Helen Wang – FIRST Winner, Young Prodigy Intermediate, US International Open Music Competition (Bay Area Association)
Ananya Raghu – FIRST PRIZE Winner, “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition
Simon Kirjner – FIRST PRIZE Winner, Junior Solo, US International Open Music Competition (Bay Area Association)
Lucas Nguyen- SECOND PRIZE Winner, Junior Solo, US International Open Music Competition (Bay Area Association)
July 2021
Simon Kirjner – FIRST Winner, 21st Century Talents Music Competition
Lucas Nguyen – FIRST PRIZE Winner, “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition
Helen Wang – THIRD PRIZE Winner, ENKOR COMPETITION
Penelope Cheung- FIRST PRIZE Winner, “Golden Classical Music Awards”
June 2021
Simon Kirjner – SECOND PRIZE Winner, Rondo Young Artists Competition
Simon Kirjner – THIRD PRIZE Winner, CalASTA San Francisco’s 2021 Solo Competition
February 2021
Penelope Cheung – 1st PRIZE Winner, 2021 Virtuosi International Music Competition-London Wigmore Hall
Helen Wang- Showcased in the Junior Bach Festival
Anisha Raghu, Seongju Kim- Selected for the California All State Orchestra
Simon Kirjner- 1st PRIZE Winner, Rocky Mountain Winter Classical Music Festival
January 2021
Anisha Raghu – FIRST Winner, “Golden Classical Music Awards”
Simon Kirjner – FIRST PRIZE Winner, Canadian International Music Competition
Simon Kirjner – SECOND PRIZE Winner, Manhattan International Music Competition
December 2020
Katherine Jang- 1st PRIZE Winner and “Judges Pick”, Vivo International Music Competition
Anisha Raghu- 2nd PRIZE Winner, Vivo International Music Competition Katherine Jang- 1st PRIZE Winner, Elite International Music Competition
Simon Kirjner- 2nd PRIZE Winner, Elite International Music Competition
November 2020
Simon Kirjner – FIRST PRIZE Winner, East Coast International Music Competition
Simon Kirjner – FIRST PRIZE Winner, Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition London
August 2020
Simon Kirjner – FIRST PRIZE Winner, Bay Area Music Association- US International Open Music Competition
June 2020
Kate Vo – FIRST PRIZE Winner, New York Artists International Music Competition
May 2020
Kate Vo – FIRST PRIZE Winner, Prima Volta Music Competition
February 2020
Kate Vo – FIRST PRIZE Winner, Great Composers Competition
Helen Wang – SECOND PRIZE Winner, American Protégé International String Competition
Simon Kirjner – SECOND PRIZE Winner, American Protégé International String Competition
Kate Vo- SECOND PRIZE Winner, GLORY International Music Competition
January 2020
Helen Wang – FIRST PRIZE Winner of the 2020 “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition, Intermediate Division
Simon Kirjner – FIRST PRIZE Winner of the 2020 “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition, Junior Division
December 2019
Kate Vo- 1st PRIZE Winner, Vivo International Music Competition
Kate Vo- 1st PRIZE Winner, Elite International Music Competition
November 2019
Simon Kirjner- 1st PRIZE Winner, Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition-Brussels
February 2019
Simon Kirjner – GRAND PRIZE Winner, 2019 Virtuosi International Music Competition-Tour of Paris Award
Ananya Raghu – 3rd PRIZE Winner, Young Prodigy Intermediate, US International Open Music Competition (Bay Area Association)
Anisha Raghu – 3rd PRIZE Winner, Intermediate Solo, US International Open Music Competition (Bay Area Association)
Rachael Lee- 3rd PRIZE Winner, Junior Solo, US International Open Music Competition (Bay Area Association)
May 2018
Simon Kirjner – FIRST PRIZE Winner, Prima Volta Music Competition
April 2018
Simon Kirjner – FIRST PRIZE Winner, New York Artists International Competition
December 2018
Simon Kirjner – FIRST PRIZE Winner of the 2018 “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition
Rachael Lee – SECOND PRIZE Winner of the 2018 “Crescendo” International Music Competition
November 2018
Anisha Raghu – Awarded the Certificate of OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE in the Royal Conservatory of Music Exam
Ananya Raghu – Awarded the Certificate of OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE in the Royal Conservatory of Music Exam
Simon Kirjner – GRAND PRIZE Winner of the 2018 Virtuosi International Music Competition-Tour of Rome Award