Lila Sklar
Experience...
OTHER STYLES & PERFORMANCE
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Growing up, Lila would "jam" with her dad who plays guitar and taught her how to improvise. Lila became fascinated with the music of the Middle East and the Balkans in her early 20s and participated in a nationwide tour playing Turkish Sufi music with vocalist Latif Bolat. Around that time, Lila also began playing and singing in several bands. In addition to recording on many film and television productions, Lila has toured and performed extensively throughout the US, Japan, Europe, and the Middle East playing with such groups as Beats Antique, Bauhaus, Joanna Newsom, Rosin Coven, Bjork, The Quarta Dolce Quartet, Beulah, Gypsy Caravan, Sherefe, The Toids, and members of Cirque Du Soleil. She has performed in many venues and festivals including The Green Man Festival (UK), The Bumpershoot Festival in Seattle, Britt Festivals, The Carmel World Music Festival, The Royal Albert Hall, Disney Concert Hall, Knitting Factory New York, Knitting Factory Los Angeles, Yoshis Jazz Club, and The Fillmore.
Currently Lila lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and earns her living teaching, recording, touring, and performing.
CLASSICAL TRAINING & TEACHING
Lila Sklar has been playing the violin since she was four years old. In addition to studying music performance under Carol Sindell at Portland State University, Lila trained and apprenticed for over 15 years with Ms. Sherry Kloss, assistant to famed violinist Jascha Heifetz.
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Lila's teaching philosophy is a reflection of the Heifetz Legacy of teaching which puts great emphasis on understanding your piece and saying something unique to you. Practically, this involves growing technique in addition to the development of an individual sound, a palette of colors, and a depth of interpretation. Lila has been teaching for over 20 years and has worked with students of all ages and levels of ability. In past years Lila taught group classes in improvisation and a variety of musical styles at Middle Eastern Music Camp, Lark In The Morning, and the Jascha Heifetz Symposium Of Individual Style. Currently, Lila has a thriving studio of private students ranging in age from 5 years old - 81 years old.