Musician Bio
Dayna studied piano from the the age of eight with the Youth Conservatory at Utah State University, studying privately with the acclaimed Laura G. Zisette and Professor Betty R. Beecher. She began violin at age nine, studying with Janice McAllister and Ted Ashton in Logan, Utah.
Dayna earned a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Business-Management & Human Resources, with a Minor in International Business, from Utah State University, as well as an Near Eastern Studies Certificate from Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. She went on to earn a Master of Music Degree in violin performance, from New Mexico State University. She excelled in her studies under the tutelage of Daniel Vega Albela and Blake Espy of the Latin-Grammy winning La Catrina Quartet. She also studied privately with Michael Fedkenheuer of the Miro Quartet.
Dayna has played violin professionally with the Harrogate Philharmonic Orchestra, the San Antonio Messiah, the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, and with the Colorado Springs Chamber Orchestra. She has performed as a soloist around the world, including Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Luxembourg, and the United States. As a pianist, she has worked as a high-school choir accompanist, and plays the organ and piano regularly for her local church services.
She loves teaching, learning from other musicians, and performing wherever she lives.
For the last 25 years, Dayna has enjoyed teaching private and group lessons for both piano and violin to students of all ages and abilities. She is a Registered Suzuki Teacher, having studied with violinist David Strom. She currently teaches in her home studio in Germany.
Teaching Philosophy & Studio Policies
“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” ~ Anonymous
My goal is to help each student reach their potential as a musician for their own fulfillment, and for the joy of others, throughout their life. I believe anyone can learn to play the violin or piano beautifully, no matter their age or previous ability. I strive to teach to each student’s unique capacities and goals in playing their instrument. In each lesson and interaction, I hope to inspire and motivate my students, giving them a vision of what they can achieve.
I utilize Suzuki method books, the Faber Piano Adventures series, as well as Etudes, scales, and a variety of pieces to develop a broad understanding and ability on the violin or piano that will serve any genre the student desires to pursue. I also incorporate musical theory during each lesson as it applies to the material the student is learning.
Students participate in group lessons and two recitals each year. This gives them the opportunity to develop performance skills and confidence, be inspired by other students, and to give and receive constructive praise that will help them to grow as a musician.
An inspiring teacher can make all the difference for a student in their efforts to learn an instrument. Let’s make music together!
You can read my current studio guidelines here.
Reviews
“Dayna is the best private music teacher my kids have ever had. I can not say enough good things about her gift of teaching. As soon as I found out Dayna was accepting music students, I made sure to enroll my oldest two children. Then, as the younger two grew old enough, I added them too. I saw how much the children were learning and growing, and I added myself to her studio as well! Dayna sees each of her students as an individual and caters her teaching style to each of them. They each feel so much love from her. She is very specific with her feedback, and so positive. Her studio was professional, and the children felt they were a part of something wonderful–a world of musicians. My children wanted to do well at each lesson, because they knew their teacher was interested in their success. I remember thinking multiple times that she had given them pieces that were way above their skill level, but in each instance I was wrong; Dayna took the opportunity to push the kids a little further with each piece, and as a result they grew more than I realized they could. Dayna also did a fantastic job helping my children understand that music is a gift to be shared. She encouraged them to play for others whenever they had the opportunity. They have each developed a love of music that I can attribute to their days in Dayna Young’s music studio.” —Emily H.
“Mrs. Young is not only knowledgeable as she teaches, but she is also kind. You can tell she cares about music and shares that love of music with her students. I currently have 4 of my kids taking lessons from her and they have been progressing with each lesson. I would be happy to recommend others to be taught by her.” – Amy P.
“Dayna is a fantastic teacher! As an adult with young children, I had lots going on and I was apprehensive about starting lessons after being away from piano for so long (I had taken lessons as a child). But, Dayna was always encouraging, always understanding, and always pushing me to learn more. She found music for me to play in the style I love (musicals) and it really added to my enjoyment and sense of accomplishment as I mastered pieces. Her style of teaching is so wonderful-she is organized and keeps track of what skills are being worked on. When I was frustrated with a passage that I just couldn’t get she would simply say ‘Let’s take a look at it a different way’ and would have me change the rhythm, or break it into smaller pieces, or present some other way to work on learning it. Her love of music is obvious and it’s clear she loves sharing it with others! I loved learning piano from her and would recommend it to anyone!”–Jenny R.
“Dayna is such a great teacher. You can tell that she really loves the time she spends with my son and that she really cares about how he is progressing. More importantly, my son feels like she really cares and loves the time spent with him. It has made him want to continue with piano. I love that he is always happy to go to his lessons and practice the pieces she gives to him. We truly love Miss Dayna!” — Shannon D.
“When I met Dayna and her great family four years ago in England, I was thrilled by the many opportunities I had to accompany and perform alongside her. We performed several individual pieces together as well as two full recitals. Working with and accompanying Dayna was an absolute treat. Even though I wasn’t a formal “student” of hers, every time we rehearsed or performed she taught me a great deal and truly stretched my abilities. She had a way of truly inspiring me and bringing out the best musician in me. I can honestly say, I’ve never performed better than when it was with her. Dayna is a true professional, performing with precision and tremendous technical expertise. Her technique is never rote or strictly mechanical, but rather her music has a depth of beauty, passion, power and strength that’s wonderful to hear. My recommendation of Dayna as a teacher and performer comes completely without reservation.” —Lauritz P.
“I was not particularly fond of the violin until I heard Dayna play, it was the first time the instrument really spoke to me. It was a standard beyond my expectation.” —Alex S.
“Dayna performs with such depth and feeling that the music becomes personal and touching. I am so happy I get to hear her play as often as I do. I know many of her students and their parents and they all have shared what an amazing teacher she is, and that they are so glad to know her.” — Mark K.
“Dayna does not underestimate your ability even when you do. She gives direction in a kind manner, she pays attention to what her students needs are, and she adjusts the lessons for the learning needs of her students. I love working with Dayna and would absolutely recommend her to anyone who wants to learn to play piano or violin.” — Laura A.
“Dayna Young is a remarkable violinist who enthralls her audience every time she plays. Her instrument and she are as one. I have heard many violinists and it is immediately obvious that her music, her range of expression and tone, etc are of the highest of professional levels. Her touch is really outstanding. Dayna has tremendous physical and mental energy and many other talents. She takes a great interest in others, is patient, and just loves to share her music and love of music. She is an ideal teacher.”— Frances S.