About
Our Studio
Philip Oja is an accomplished concert violinist and experienced teacher, who has been teaching professionally for over 15 years. Mr. Oja has distinguished himself as a skilled teacher for aspiring young musicians. His students have won numerous awards, and have garnered acceptance into competitive youth symphonies, ensembles, and music conservatories.
As a performer, Mr. Oja has held positions with various professional symphony orchestras around the country, including Austin Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, and many others. And he has performed in numerous public concerts and functions as a soloist and an ensemble musician. As a chamber ensemble musician, he has performed in public masterclasses for various renowned string quartets, including the Tokyo String Quartet, the Julliard String Quartet, the Belcea String Quartet, The Pacifica String Quartet, and the Miro String Quartet. As an educator, he has served as the Vice President of the Durham Music Teacher Association, an affiliate of Music Teachers National Association, and has taught at music festivals and workshops around the country.
Mr. Oja received his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music degrees in Violin Performance from Irvine S. Gilmore School of Music and Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts. His principle teachers included Jacob Robbins, Bruce Smith, and Hal Grossman, acclaimed students of Paul Makanowitzky, Mischa Mischakoff, Dorothy DeLay, and Erick Friedman.
Philip Oja's curriculum is influenced by the pedagogical methods of Ivan Galamian, Suzuki, Paul Roland, and Jascha Heifetz. Every student's instruction is customized based on their personal needs and strengths, and each individual student's journey is unique. Mr. Oja also emphasizes performance as a critical vehicle for learning. His private students participate in several performances each year, in formal recitals, festivals, and community concerts.
Philip Oja has taught for over 15 years across the country. His students have won various awards, held concertmaster positions in their school orchestras, and have been accepted into competitive youth symphonies, including Duke String Orchestra, Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony, and Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Former students have been accepted into Cleveland Institute of Music, Jacobs School of Music, and University of Michigan.
Mr. Oja's private students play at least 5 solo performances each year, in formal in-person recitals, virtual recitals, community concerts, and competitions. Ensemble playing is also emphasized in the Oja Violin Studio. Mr. Oja's private students are paired to play in violin duet or larger emsembles. Ensemble playing is encouraged to all levels of students.
"...an extraordinary gifted teacher and musician..." - Lin
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"He has a real gift for putting young children at ease, and finding how to draw out their best abilities..." - Holly
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"...patient and imaginative..." - Linda
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"He really knew how to speak on her level and his instruction was very positive and motivating..."- Kennadi
Sarah K.
Congratulations to Sarah K. for being named The Concertmaster of Belmont Winthrop L. Chenery Symphony Orchestra!
Kaiya C.
Congratulations to Kaiya C. for being accepted into Duke String Orchestra!
Ellen L.
Congratulations to Ellen L. for winning Gold Medal at DMTA Festival, and for being named the Concertmaster of Ligon Middle School Symphony Orchestra!
Kenny Z.
Congratulations to Kenny Z. for winning Gold Medal in the DMTA Festival!
“Philip is an amazing violin teacher! He gave my daughter her first violin lesson four years ago when she was 8 and we haven’t looked back. My daughter’s ability and skill are growing by leaps and bounds under his teaching. Philip was incredibly patient and attentive with my daughter when she was very young. He demonstrated an innate ability to work with small children and his teaching technique changed over time as my daughter matured. Philip expertly tailors lessons to improve my daughter’s weaknesses and refine her strengths. Philip also consistently demonstrates that he genuinely cares about his students and their progress. He really went above and beyond when my daughter was auditioning for the city orchestra. He taught my daughter extra lessons every day leading up to the event to ensure she was ready and able to perform. Philip has been amazing at teaching my daughter, she has grown incredibly under his teaching. I definitely highly recommend him as a violin teacher!”
Raina C.
