Bowed Strings Music Studio offers private violin lessons for children from four years old at our Woodlands studio in Singapore. Adults can choose private lessons or small adult beginner groups. Private violin starts from S$50 per 30 minute session, or S$60 with Head Teacher Xin Jie. Adult group packages start at S$260 for 4 lessons. Beginners can borrow a violin rather than buying one.
Violin is the route most students start on here, led by Head Teacher Xin Jie with Ms Leia. Below: starting ages and lesson lengths, the two formats and what they cost, and how exams and performances work.
All in-person violin lessons take place at Blk 305 Woodlands Street 31, #01-71, about 5 to 7 minutes on foot from Marsiling MRT. Compare private lessons and adult beginner groups below, then ask us to check a suitable slot.
Meet Cheong Xin Jie, Head Violin Teacher and co-founder, and Xiao Lei (Ms Leia), violin and viola teacher. Their profiles explain their training, performance experience and teaching approach.
Technique from day one
Head Teacher Xin Jie
Private lesson in progress
Playing together
Our lesson roomsChildren’s violin lessons in Woodlands
Four is the earliest we take violin students. Lesson length grows with the student, because concentration is what it is at each age.
4 to 5 years · 30 min
Posture, bow hold and listening rather than repertoire, thirty minutes is genuinely how long a four year old can concentrate.
5 to 8 years · 45 min
Lessons move to forty-five minutes from five to eight years old.
9 years to adult · 1 hour
A full hour from nine years old upward, adults included.
Two ways to learn
Private for the fastest progress, adult group packages for a gentler start.
Private, instructor fee
Fastest progress, exam route
- Paced entirely around the student
- ABRSM preparation
Adult group package
2 to 4 adults
- Level 2, 8 lessons, S$520
- Booklet included, no instrument needed
Full pricing is on the fees page.
High Merit to Distinction, across the board.
We prepare students for ABRSM grades. Theory and piano accompaniment for the lower grades are covered inside lessons rather than charged as an extra. Students also perform at our annual concert, which is usually where a nervous child discovers they can do this in front of people.
In 2024 to 2026, 90% of our students scored High Merit to Distinction in their ABRSM exams.
Grades are a useful structure, not the only reason to learn. Students who want to play pop, jazz or improvise can.
Choosing violin lessons in Singapore
When comparing schools, look at who will teach you, the lesson format and the materials you will practise with. At Bowed Strings Music Studio, children start with private violin lessons from age four; adults can choose individual lessons or a beginner group of two to four. All in-person classes are at our Woodlands studio, near Marsiling MRT.
Know your teacher
Head Teacher Cheong Xin Jie holds an ATCL in violin from Trinity and is an MOE-registered instructor. Ms Leia also teaches violin. Read their individual profiles, then confirm which teacher and time are available.
See the learning materials
Our 6-Lesson Violin Guide was written by our head violin teacher. The studio also has separate beginner books for children and adults. Browse the book descriptions to understand the materials; a beginner booklet is included when you start lessons.
Read a student experience
Elizabeth Leong describes her beginner violin classes with Xin Jie and the easy-to-follow materials on our student reviews page. Reviews describe individual experiences. A paid trial lets you meet the teacher before deciding whether to continue.
Choosing for a child? See private violin lessons. Starting as an adult? Compare adult beginner groups with private tuition. Working towards grades? Read about exam preparation. Check the current fees and studio location before arranging your first visit.
See how we teach the basics
Our published violin bow-hold guide on Instagram shows the relaxed hand position we introduce to beginners. Use it as a practice reference alongside guidance from your teacher.
Guides for violin learners
Written by the studio around the questions parents and adult beginners ask before a first violin lesson.
Common questions about violin
Are children’s violin lessons private or in a group?
Children learn violin in private, one-to-one lessons from age four. Our beginner group programme is for adults. For a child, start with the private lesson format and current fees. Tell us your child’s age and experience so we can check the teacher and available lesson time.
Can adults start violin with no music experience?
Yes. Adult beginners can start with posture, bow hold, rhythm and note reading. Choose private lessons for individual pacing, or the adult beginner group programme if you would like to learn with others. Ask us to check current openings before choosing a class.
Can I try a violin lesson before enrolling?
Yes. A trial is a paid single lesson with no ongoing commitment. You can meet the teacher and use a studio violin during the lesson. Read the lesson fees and trial information, then contact us to confirm the fee and available time.
Do violin lessons have to follow the exam route?
No. We teach for enjoyment as well as examinations, including classical music, pop, jazz and improvisation. If graded exams are your goal, see our ABRSM preparation and performance opportunities and discuss a suitable pathway with your teacher.
Do I need to buy a violin?
Not to start. Borrow one of ours during lessons for as long as you need. When you are ready to buy, we point you at something appropriate and arrange a student discount rather than letting you overspend on a first instrument.
Which size violin does my child need?
We size the student at the studio, from 1/16 up to full size. This is exactly the kind of purchase to make after a lesson, not before.
How long before they can play something?
With the beginner booklet, most students get a first recognisable tune out within the first few lessons. Sounding genuinely good takes months of weekly practice, and we are honest about that.
Ask about a violin lesson
Send the learner's age, experience and preferred days. We will recommend the suitable format and check the current Woodlands slots.