How can I access the lessons?
Use the navigation menu at the top of every page. Choose any of the options: Technique, Etudes, Repertoire, Practicing, Concerts, etc.. On some pages, there are buttons for subcategories (e.g., different types of technique or different etude books).
To watch a Premium video, click the text link for your chosen lesson and a video will pop up. (You'll have to be logged in to actually watch the premium lessons - click here to sign up now.)
To watch a free video, just click the play button for any video.
Why is this better than watching free videos on YouTube?
Sometimes, a thing of great quality if worth paying for. Literally thousands of hours of international experience and training have gone into the knowledge contained in these videos - these are lessons of outstanding quality that can help you progress quickly and successfully. We encourage you to compare our offering to other collections on YouTube or similar websites. We are confident you will see the difference in terms of quantity, organization, and most importantly quality of instruction.
First time subscribers can start with a 14-day free trial, because we want you to decide for yourself if these lessons meet your needs. If you feel the inspiration and skills you are learning are worth our fee, then we hope you will feel great about paying for access, and will be happy to continue your membership! If not, no harm done and no hard feelings - you can cancel before your free trial ends, and you will not be billed.
Who is Joshua Peckins?
Joshua Peckins is an award-winning concert violinist and pedagogue, with over a decade of teaching experience both as faculty of the New England Conservatory Prep School and in Vienna, Austria. Truly an international musician and teacher, Mr. Peckins has performed throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia, from Carnegie Hall to Beijing’s Performing Arts Center, and has been invited to give pedagogical lectures internationally. His private students have been accepted into the Eastman School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Boston Conservatory, Longy School of Music, the San Francisco Conservatory, MIT, and the Prayner Conservatory in Vienna, and are currently pursuing performance careers in the United States, Canada, England, and Austria. Mr. Peckins holds advanced degrees in violin performance from the Vienna University of Music (Post.Grad), Yale School of Music (MM), and the New England Conservatory (BM), and is deeply committed to passing on performance skills to students. He has created this website to help aspiring violinists in their search for excellence and joy in their artistic pursuits. Click here to read a full bio.
Is my payment info secure?
Your payments are processed by Stripe, an international leader in the field of payment processing. Stripe has been featured in publications including the Wall St Journal, the New Your Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, the Atlantic, etc. We take your security very seriously, and that's why we partnered with an established, secure payment processor.
What are the costs?
Many lessons are totally free - just browse the site and click a video to watch. Premium Access, which gives you access to the full collection and our more exclusive content, costs $15/month, with automatic monthly renewal. First time subscribers can sign up for a 14-day free trial to experience for yourself how valuable these lessons are. We do not offer refunds, but you can cancel online anytime. (Check with your Internet provider about any costs associated with streaming videos online.)
As a supplement to private lessons or full music school tuition, our monthly cost is a small addition - significantly less than you would typically pay for a set of strings, a bow re-hair, or a single private lesson - but the skills you will learn here can transform your productivity and success.
We also offer institutional pricing for schools. Contact us if you are an organization or teacher for details.
Exactly what is included?
Currently, the Peckins Studio Online contains over 200 lessons and over 24 hours of video instruction, which represents over $2,500 of value. You can browse the full collection using the menu at the top of every page. Only members can watch all the videos, but you'll see exactly what lessons and topics are included, and you'll also find a number of free sample videos on the pages. Signing up for the free trial (first time subscribers only) is the best way to know if this site is for you!
Do I get personal instruction or feedback?
At this time, no. The website is intended for independent use, and does not include live instruction or personal feedback. There is a great wealth of instruction available to stream 24/7 on Peckins Studio Online, making it perfect for the independent learner. However, you will not have direct access to any teachers for video-chat, personalized lessons, email questions, or similar.
What is the best way to take advantage of all the features?
If you are currently studying an etude or piece in the collection, we recommend you start there. Watch the video lesson on your etude or piece - we're confident you'll come away with new ideas! Then browse through the Technique collection - you may very well discover answers to some of your questions. Take a look at the Practicing section and enjoy the Digital Concert Hall.
The collection is vast, and all these resources are yours with a free trial! Take a look around, and see what these lessons can do for you!
Do I need to buy anything else to use this website?
To use the site, you will need at Interned-connected device capable of streaming videos from Vimeo. We are mobile friendly, so you can use the site on most modern smartphones and tablets, as well as desktop computers. First time subscribers can try the 14-day free trial to make sure your device is compatible with our site. Check with your Internet provider about data charges for streaming video.
You will also need a violin and bow, sheet music/books, and a few miscellanies supplies to study the violin and make the most of this website. Click here for advice about what to purchase and where to find it.
What is the difference between a free trial and a full, paid membership?
A free trial (first time subscribers only) is totally free, but it still gives you access to everything on your plan. This gives you a risk-free way to evaluate whether the program works for you. If you decide to continue after your free trial ends, you don't have to do anything more - you will be billed automatically each membership period for continued access. If you decided not to continue, just cancel before your free trial ends, and you will not be billed.
What is the cancellation/refund policy?
We do not offer refunds, but you can cancel online anytime. We put a link to easy cancelation instructions in the footer of every page (click here to see them) so you can easily cancel if you choose to do so.
If you cancel, your payments will stop immediately; you will continue to enjoy access until the end of your current membership period, after which your access will end. We do not offer refunds or partial/prorated refunds for membership periods already billed, however.
How can I cancel my membership?
Canceling your membership is easy. Click here to see step-by-step instructions. You can access these instructions anytime by clicking “Easy Cancelation Instructions” in the footer of any page.
Will you sell my contact info?
Absolutely not! We value your privacy, and will never rent or sell your contact information. Read our privacy policy for details of how we use and share your information.
How do I sign up?
You can click here to sign up.
What are the terms and conditions?
Please read the terms and conditions here. You can always access the Terms and Conditions by clicking the "Terms and Conditions" link at the bottom of any page.
What if I have a specific question not answered here?
Click here to contact us, or click the contact link in the footer of every page.