We are often asked, “How and when did you get started in music?”

When Justin was two years old, he was mesmerized by watching his cousins play the violin. At home, he would take two pencils and try to hold them and rub them together like he was playing the violin. His parents gave him a toy violin, one that had pre-recorded songs as you pulled the “bow” across the “strings.” Justin carried the toy violin everywhere, playing it and finally wearing it out. His dad decided that the boy needed a real violin.

So, by the time he was three years old, Justin had his first real violin. Within a short time, he was playing tunes. At three and a half, he played “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” at a church talent show. Some thought it was the toy violin with pre-recorded songs. But, no, Justin was on his way to making music. In the meantime, Jared and Rachel decided violins were pretty neat and showed interest also. In September, 1999, all three children began violin lessons. Jared was nine years old, Rachel was almost six, and Justin not quite four. The children all enjoyed violin lessons, using the Suzuki method.

By the next year, Rachel also had her eye on another instrument - the harp. That year, Rachel found a folk harp waiting for her on Christmas morning. Rachel now owns a Grand Petite harp by Lyon & Healy. She plans to attend a music conservatory, majoring in Harp Performance. Rachel looks forward to playing with an orchestra and instructing young harpists. She already has several harp students.

By the time Justin was eight, he also was thinking about another instrument - the cello. His dad told him that he would get him a cello when he was able to learn bass cleft. Within an evening, Justin earned his right to a cello, and shortly thereafter, a 1/2-sized cello arrived. Justin now plays a full-sized cello. He is no longer taking violin lessons but can still play violin for enjoyment. Justin enjoys performing and plans to pursue a career as a professional cellist.

Jared plays a 100-year-old German-made violin. He plans on attending a music conservatory, majoring in music performance. He enjoys teaching violin.

Music Teachers

Jared, Rachel and Justin have been studying music with some of the area’s finest musicians. Jared studies violin with Wanchi Huang, music professor at James Madison University.

Alan Weinstein is Justin’s cello instructor. A member of The Kandinsky Trio, Alan is also assistant professor of cello and bass at Virginia Tech.

Anastasia Jellison is Rachel’s harp instructor. Anastasia conducts the Roanoke Symphony Youth Harp Ensemble. She is also a harp instructor at William & Mary and the University of Virginia. She is the principle harpist with the Roanoke Symphony.

Previous music instructors include:

Friends of The Hall Trio

The Hall Trio has enjoyed providing music for many weddings. Additionally, they have been honored to provide music for great companies and organizations such as:

Contact The Hall Trio for Rates and Availability

We look forward to providing music for your event. For information, please e-mail us at: contact@halltrio.com