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Erika's wonderful! Erika’s a phenomenal musician and a master teacher. My son and daughter started playing the cello with “Ms. Erika” when they were in the 5th grade. They never felt in competition with each other because Erika knew and respected their individual learning styles. She had different expectations for each of them and tailored their lessons and repertoire accordingly. Erika motivated and pushed my kids through their ups, but she also knew when to back off and how to talk with them through their downs. Under Erika’s guidance, they won spots in middle and high school All-County and All-State Orchestras, and the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras. They’re currently studying cello performance at UMBC and UMD, and their tuition is almost entirely paid for by cello merit scholarships. -Kelly
I can’t believe that Ms. Erika has been a part of our lives since late 2018/early 2019. Let me tell you a story..My son decided in the 4th grade that he wanted to play violin. I was thinking…dear lord give me grace when he made this choice. He attempted lessons at school but due to anxiety issues was unable to do the necessary performances and he had an instructor that he just didn’t jive with - all of this led to a search for a private instructor, a visit to the local hometown music store and an introduction to Ms. Erika. From the very first meeting, my son and Ms. Erika understood each other. I told Ms. Erika that my expectation was not that he was to become the greatest violinist ever but that I wanted his sessions to be a form of therapy. My son has sensory issues and we found out immediately that the vibrations and music from the violin were very calming to him. Ms. Erika understood the assignment! My son has not only learned about the violin as an instrument, but some history, theory, note and music reading and lots about rhythms. Even during the pandemic, she immediately pivoted from an in person class to a virtual class without missing a beat! Ms. Erika and my son continue today with lessons. It is fun to hear him progress and grow. I love when they play follow the leader where one of them plays whatever moves them and the other has to copy….what fun to listen to! I have found that my investment in these lessons not only assist with my son’s anxiety and sensory issues but Ms. Erika likes to see how she can challenge him weekly. Thank you Ms. Erika for being a part of my son's life and even though you don’t have the official title, thanks for being his music therapist. - Karyn
It is with great pleasure that I write this letter as a testament to the wonderful teaching skills and talents of Erika Adam. Erika has taught my son in private violin lessons, as well as through Applied Lessons at Carroll Community College, for over the past sixteen years. At an early age my son displayed a strong interest in the violin, beginning his musical journey under the instruction of Erika at the age of seven. Soon after he began meeting with Erika, I quickly recognized that she was able to navigate his neurodiversity. She immediately made a connection with him and was able to encourage him to grow in his talents and love of music. He continued playing through High School Orchestra, All County Orchestra, Maryland Local and State Solo and Ensemble, and various independent efforts – all with the support and encouragement of Erika. As he entered college, he was grateful to continue with her through Applied Lessons at Carroll Community, which contributed to his achievement of an Associate of Arts Degree in Music. Erika is a brilliant and accomplished musician whose talents are boundless, but what sets her apart is who she is at her core. Erika has the structure and ability to help advance my son in his music, while also understanding him, and making connections that will inspire him to continue his lifelong passion for music. I truly believe Erika has not only played a significant role in my son’s musical accomplishments but also in his overall life journey. I am in awe of her talents and am forever grateful for her patience, caring, and calm ways. My son will continue to meet with Erika for instructions and to stay connected – to us, she is family! Most Sincerely, Wendy Warfield
In a nutshell, Ms. Erika is an amazing professional, inspiring and talented music teacher. She has taught my youngest son violin for the last three years. Prior to this, he had played for two years and was getting very discouraged, and we were so glad we found Ms. Erika. Ms. Erika is kind, friendly and patient with my son. She was excellent at assessing our son’s learning styles and interests and adjusting his lessons accordingly making the lessons fun and challenging for him. She goes above and beyond answering his questions about music theory and history of which she is incredibly knowledgeable. Importantly, she fosters him progressing at his own pace and level while giving him the freedom to explore so that he truly enjoys what he is learning. She is also very professional and organized creating lesson notes and emailing assignments each week, accessible by text and email and always punctual. In addition, we really appreciated the ability for online lessons and easy online payments to accommodate our families’ busy schedule. As a result, my son has improved immensely participating in All-County and in Solo and Ensemble and he always looks forward to his lessons. We have the highest recommendation for Ms. Erika no matter your age, level of experience, learning style or musical interests." -Lester Bracy
All 3 of my daughters over the past 12 years have taken private violin lessons. It began with my oldest in 2nd grade as she was struggling in math. It was a suggestion from her teacher, and she had always wanted to play violin like her father. The ease and flexibility of taking lessons with Carroll Music Teachers, specifically Erika Adam, has been the biggest factor that has kept us as loyal customers! Not only did my daughter’s grades at school begin to improve, but she also developed as a music student allowing her to eventually go on to earn a spot in the All-County Orchestra and earn the highest rating at the county and state Solo and Ensemble festivals several years in a row. She was also placed in honors orchestra when she began high school. My youngest daughter, who is still a student of Erika Adam’s, also earned a spot in the All-County orchestra and earned the highest rating at the Solo and Ensemble festivals as well. She continues her lessons even though she does not play in an orchestra, but she likes the challenge of continuing to master her instrument and learn new music and I am a firm believer that it also helps her continue to maintain a 4.0 and excel in math and science. As we moved into pandemic times, we made the easy transition to doing lessons virtually through video chat which was such a huge help in maintaining normalcy for my daughter in a very abnormal time! All in all, I highly recommend Carroll Music Teachers and the amazing service they bring to Carroll County students looking for private music lessons!
Growing up, I always wanted to play an instrument, but never had the opportunity. I longed to understand and create music. As an adult, I realized that the hardest part was just getting started. It's scary learning something new, especially when you feel like you can't possibly find the time. Luckily, once I decided that learning the cello was something that I wanted to do and was going to commit to it, Erika guided me through the rest. She is an excellent teacher and made learning the cello an amazing experience! As an adult and parent of 3, I never thought I would be able to learn an instrument, let alone find the time to practice, but it is possible. I am so thankful I chose to take the leap and begin lessons. Hopefully you do too! -Allison
Erika Adam has been an incredible teacher and influence in my music career. When I started my cello lessons with her in middle school, I really struggled with getting over my own nerves and fear when it came to performing. Erika’s teaching and support helped me not only grow as a musician, but also to develop effective ways to deal with my nerves. This allowed me to go on to participate in opportunities like All County Orchestra, Solo & Ensemble, and multiple music and theater programs throughout middle and high school. She’s also been a tremendous support in helping me build my own career as a music instructor by adapting my lessons to suit my needs while in college and now as a working adult. I highly recommend Erika for anyone looking to advance their musicality! -Brooke G.
I took lessons with Erika from 2009 until I graduated in 2016. Her lessons helped me immensely in a difficult part of my life. I was given the option to audition for and decided to participate in All County Orchestra for all years I was eligible, and played in the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra. Finding community in these orchestras and expressing myself musically was invaluable to my mental health. She is an extremely knowledgeable, skilled and empathetic teacher who truly cares about her students. -Kate
I took cello lessons from Erika Adam from the age of 6 up until I was 16 and she was an AMAZING teacher. I would have taken lessons from her until I was a senior in high school if the opportunity was there. She was perfect for me, and I always thought of her like Mary Poppins. She will make sure that you excel to do your very best while also being patient and encouraging. She never tears down her students or makes them feel like they can’t move forward. Even when you feel like you can’t excel, Erika sees differently and helps you push past that feeling. She has great methods to help conquer each technique you have to learn on the cello, that I still use to this day! I’m confident she is still the best cellist I know. I started to learn such advanced material when I was just 16. I ended up going to college to study music and passed the audition for my college’s orchestra my freshman year. I didn’t think, with being out of lessons for 2 years, that I would make it in, but I did. It floored me and it was all because of her teaching. I am a singer/songwriter now and would not be where I am today without her teaching. Learning cello from her allowed me to go from playing cello solos, to playing in an orchestra, all the way to writing a composition for a full orchestra and choir. I am so thankful for Erika and for the time I was able to learn from her. She is a wonderful person and has such a fun and kind spirit. I would seriously recommend her as your cello teacher. You will not regret it or be disappointed by the results. -Kim G.
Our 11-year-old daughter began cello lessons with ‘Ms. Erika’ last year. She loves going to her lesson each week, and often comments on how ‘great’ her teacher is. She enjoys being one of the top players in her school orchestra, thanks to Ms. Adam’s instruction. We enjoy and appreciate Ms. Adam’s outstanding musical ability, teaching ability, positive attitude, professionalism, punctuality, and kindness. In addition to these qualities, Ms. Adam is always mindful and considerate of my daughter’s temperament and interests. She frequently ‘checks in’ with her to discuss and define her musical goals, which allows her to take ownership of her progress. We feel fortunate to have found such a wonderful cello teacher for our daughter and would wholeheartedly recommend Ms. Erika Adam.
I began my journey with Ms Erika Adam in 2009 at the age of 8 as a non-musical student that wished to learn how to play the violin. We were fortunate enough to locate Erika who had the availability for beginning private lessons on the violin. It was a very welcoming environment for a very shy 8 year old, as my mother was allowed to sit in on the lessons with me and get to see and help with my progress. I attended private lessons with Erika for 10 years where I got to successfully experience and prepare for all-county, solo and ensemble as well as sharing my talent with family through yearly recitals. This helped me not only grow as a player but also as a person as it helped me build confidence and become less shy. Through lessons I also became more organized and accountable for my musical and educational learning as well as gaining another positive role model in my life. Erika felt more like family than just a violin teacher where I could ask questions and make mistakes and I knew I would only be supported through this. Erika is incredibly talented and knowledgeable which added to my enjoyment of playing this instrument and desire to continue lessons for such a long time. The only reason I discontinued lessons was because I moved onto out-of-state college and weekly lessons were just no longer possible. All around it was a very positive experience and I would recommend it to anyone looking to learn how to play a stringed instrument or to further polish their skills. -Savannah Beyer Finksburg
The best thing we ever did was switch to having Erika Adam as my daughter’s viola teacher. Erika not only helped improve her technique, but also helped her grow her love for music and become a significantly better musician. So much so that when she went away to college and volunteered in a local orchestra in the area the conductor said to her “finally, a violist who can actually play well!” Erika helped my daughter prepare for and achieve the highest honors possible in county and state orchestra competitions. Not only that, the two of them had some wonderful discussions about life in general. Erika helped my daughter achieve so much more confidence in her own abilities, not just in music, but in all areas of life. It was a joy to sit in on my daughter’s lessons (this was pre-COVID) and listen to two wonderful musicians having fun together while still doing the work necessary to become better at their craft. I highly recommend Erika Adam as a teacher for any child, teen, or adult who wants to become a stronger, better musician. -Stephnie Thomas
I started playing viola at a young age, and Erika Adam was incredible for my growth as a musician. I had a hard time focusing as a young adult, and Erika took the time to not only teach me viola, but took the time to understand how I needed to be taught. She challenged me constantly in the most positive and encouraging way. I realized how much her efforts had paid off when I started at my university and the viola professor attempted to persuade me into changing my major to Viola performance. If you are learning a string instrument or if your child is learning, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to learn under Erika. - Kathryn Gordon
Ms. Erika, has taught my daughter cello lessons. Her music teaching is stellar and above excellent!! My daughter has grown into a great musician! Ms.Erika is a kind, loving, understanding and wonderful teacher! She is a second mom to my daughter! -Joann A.
For anyone interested in starting lessons I highly recommend Erika Adam for all levels. It’s not just for beginners. I have been taking lessons for about 5 years now, I started in 8th grade and I am now a graduating senior in high school. The payoff has been nothing but excellent. It’s a great way to find who you are as a musician and as a person outside the classroom. I had struggled with confidence in my playing a lot but with determination and many lessons I have made my younger self proud throughout the years. Lessons are not just for soloists they are great for duets and trios. I was nervous going into lessons and starting as a violin and cello duet was the best possible experience for me and her. I still continued lessons virtually during Covid but as a private student, it kept me motivated to continue practicing. To anyone questioning lessons or looking for advice I would say without a doubt it’s totally worth it! -Abbie
Erika has been a staple in the lives of my two daughters since they were 5 years old. For more than 14 years they have had weekly privately violin lessons with Erika. She has shared so much knowledge and experience with my girls and has been an instrumental part of their violin journey. Aside from the benefits of learning an instrument, Erika has built confidence in my girls with kindness and patience through all of those elementary, tween, and teen years. She has inspired love for the violin within them. Her approach has fostered a desire to practice and become stronger violinists. I highly recommend Erika as you or your child’s private instructor. -Alisa S.
Erika is the absolute best violin teacher! She is inspirational and constantly adapting her teaching style to suit her student’s needs. It has been 10 years since she taught me in high school and I still recommend her without hesitation to every parent who is looking for a violin instructor. -Angela S.
I took cello lessons with Ms. Erika for about 6 years, during middle school and high school. Ms. Erika is an amazing teacher she takes the time to understand her students and plans her lessons around what makes her students tick. I always had an amazing time with Ms. Erika, she pushed me to be the best that I could be, without her help I wouldn't have made all county every year I tried out. Ms. Erika is amazing!! -Jessica M.
My daughter started taking viola lessons with Erika during her freshman year of high school. I have been so pleased with how she bloomed with Erika’s unique style of instruction, which is tailored to the individual student. With Erika’s help, my daughter has been able to reach her musical goals, including getting into the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra. Erika’s style of instruction has taught my daughter how to break down the approach to a difficult piece of music, a skill set that is just as applicable to tackling many of life’s challenges. I highly recommend Erika, she has become so much more than a viola teacher to my daughter. -Elizabeth S.
Erika is not just a music teacher, she's so much more. I started my journey as a violist with Erika in high school after graduating from my former teacher. With Erika I felt that my skills and talents really began to shine through and started progressing through my studies rather quickly. I was late in the game compared to many of my peers in music (started playing as a teenager) but I was able to catch up to them and flourish under my teacher's instruction. Some of the things I accomplished under Erika were All County Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, as well as earning the highest rank for State Solo & Ensemble. Growing up, I had been battling with anxiety and the many struggles of growing up. Erika is extremely emotionally intelligent and was always patient and understanding with me during my lessons. There were times I walked in not mentally prepared to tackle a lesson and Erika would emotionally support me by analyzing my mental blocks and running through anxiety reducing exercises. She was always there for me and over the years she had not only become my teacher, but my mentor and close friend. She inspired me to pursue my dreams and accomplish my life goals. -Lena T.
Good teaching is about the student. My students often hear me say that “my job is to train you to teach yourself.” It is my firm belief that anyone and everyone can learn to play an instrument, but without the right tools, frustration easily sets in, and many aspiring players sadly come to believe that music is not “for them.” As a private instructor, I have spent over 25 years developing a wide range of techniques to aid in effective learning, and my role is to gradually turn them over to you, the student, at a pace which we jointly determine. Some of my students come to me with strong prior training and immediately jump into advanced or preprofessional studies. But far more of them sign up for their first lesson as struggling and discouraged players, only to find that they had far more “talent” than they ever could have imagined! Find their stories in my testimonials section.
Contact me for a free phone or email consultation about your personal goals and musical path!
Erika L. Adam is a full time musician and private string instructor, active in Carroll County and surrounding areas since 1996. She began her studies at Towson University at age 16, where she was the winner of eight different music scholarships and competitions, including the prestigious Beulah H. Price Scholarship. Ms. Adam emphasizes a versatile, positive teaching approach which is tailored to the needs and goals of each individual student. Her teaching style is focused on identifying the unique ways in which musical instruction can benefit the whole person, using a wide range of custom-selected methods. As an Adjunct Professor of Music at Carroll Community College, she has prepared young violinists and cellists for successful professional careers. She is also frequently invited to serve as a festival and audition judge for Baltimore County Public Schools.
Ms. Adam’s greatest fulfillment in teaching comes from helping musicians of varying abilities discover the pace of learning which is right for them, including struggling and neurodivergent students. Though, as a prize-winning bluegrass fiddle player, she is quite comfortable with nonclassical styles, her students consistently are recognized for their high level of achievement in classical music. A partial list of honors received by students of Ms. Adam include All-State Orchestra, principal seats in Carroll and Baltimore County All-County Orchestras and Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, membership in Chesapeake Youth Symphony, FAME and Encore Orchestras, and Young Musicians of Baltimore, top prizes in the Maryland Association of Christian Schools State Music Competition, highest marks at Carroll County, Baltimore County, and Maryland State Solo and Ensemble festivals, and full scholarships for college-bound music majors.
In addition to her full-time job as a musician, Ms. Adam is the homeschooling mother of five beautiful children. She holds several leadership positions at Christiana Homeschool Academy, where she chairs the Latin and Great Books departments, and serves on the Board of Directors. She has an interest in foreign languages and linguistics, having studied and taught a range of ancient, medieval, and modern Romance languages. She particularly enjoys adopting an interdisciplinary approach to teaching, drawing upon the connections and relatedness between disparate branches of knowledge to broaden and enrich the student's understanding of their primary discipline.
Ms. Adam accepts students from age 8 to adult.
