Chetana is one of our own! As a senior at Homestead High School with 13 years of musical training, she actually took her first violin lessons right here at The Music Place!
After five years of violin, she joined the San Jose Youth Orchestra and switched to viola. She has now been playing viola for eight years, including seven years with the San Jose Youth Symphony, where she served as principal violist for two seasons. In summer 2025, she toured Poland and the Czech Republic with SJYS's Philharmonic Orchestra, performing for thousands in prestigious venues including Smetana Hall, and the orchestra was officially recognized by the mayor of Warsaw. Chetana was also part of Notelove, a non-profit organization where she taught children how to play the viola, guiding them through Suzuki repertoire, orchestra music, and Christmas pieces, some of which her students ultimately performed as a chamber group at Christmas in the Park.
Having grown up with The Music Place, Chetana is excited to have returned as an apprencitce educator--- continuing to build her teaching skills and completing her training to teach violin, viola and the Music Place's award-winning curriculum, Early Music Awareness (EMA) (to the great delight of her students)!
Outside of music, she enjoys biking, hiking, swimming, and playing water polo.
Teaching Style
As a younger teacher, Chetana brings energy and enthusiasm to her lessons, especially during movement activities. She draws on experience entertaining her younger cousins to keep kids engaged. Her primary focus is building strong bonds with her students by actively listening, whether they're sharing about their week or their hobbies. She believes it's important for children to feel heard rather than suppressed, as this builds confidence and voice for the future. Above all, she always looks to inspire excitement about music and motivate students to continue their musical journeys.
Chetana shows her delight in children as she teaches. Although she is thorough and focused when teaching private lessons on viola or violin, she is not afraid to be a bit silly when teaching EMA to help the youngest children learn in a fun way.
Instruments
- Violin
- Viola
- Early Music Awareness
Languages
- English
Locations
- Baywood West San Jose
- Sunnyvale
- Main Office
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