Educational Programs

for SMall and Mid-size groups

Looking for musical mentorship outside traditional lessons?

Based in Central Florida and frequently performing throughout the East Coast, violinist Ilana Zaks offers chamber music, orchestra sectional, and ensemble coaching for advanced students, pre-formed chamber groups, school orchestras, private studios, and other musical organizations.

Known for her clarity, warmth, and insightful musicianship, Ilana tailors each coaching session to the unique goals and needs of every ensemble. Whether preparing for a competition, audition, or recital, refining musical interpretation, strengthening ensemble communication, or deepening artistic expression, students receive personalized guidance designed to help them perform at their highest level.

Ilana works with school programs, teacher-organized groups, independent ensembles, and private studios, helping musicians build technical confidence, artistic depth, and strong collaborative skills. Her coaching draws on extensive experience as a performer and educator, creating an engaging and supportive environment in which students can thrive.

Students sitting and playing violins in a library classroom while violinist Ilana Zaks leads, with bookshelves lining the walls.

2024 sectional with Yakima Music en Acción

Inquire Now About a Coaching Visit

What people are saying

  • Pink square with white horizontal lines resembling text or a stylized document.

    “She [Ilana] coached several of my students on pieces including Tchaikovsky's Concerto, Wieniawski Concerto, and Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen. Her comments were direct and helpful. She delivered the comments in a positive way that put my students at ease. All of my students enjoyed her expertise and learned from her teaching.”

    — Cecilia Buss: Seattle Symphony/Opera and Buss Violin Studio

  • Seattle Conservatory of Music

    “We deeply appreciate the effort and care Ilana has put into supporting her groups and helping set them up for success—it means so much to us and the students.”

    — Gabriela Garza; Executive Director; Seattle Conservatory of Music

  • Logo for Jij Momentum Music School with stylized text and a pink bird graphic.

    "Ilana recently gave masterclasses to seven of my students. They performed repertoire ranging from Suzuki Book 5 to the Bruch Violin Concerto. She was very adept at finding the technical and musical tools that would best help them. She was kind and encouraging and took a genuine interest in each student. She inspired us all by demonstrating on her instrument when appropriate. The student who played the Bruch came up to me afterward and said that it was one of the best masterclasses he had participated in. I was able to follow up on her ideas over the course of the following month because they were so clear and appropriate."

    — Tracy Helming, Momentum Music School

  • University of North Carolina Wilmington

    Ilana Zaks’ course, Performers as Creators, was thoroughly engaging and inspiring. She provided a deep, well-structured exploration of violinists who were also composers, filling every minute with ideas and music to enjoy. One of our composition students left feeling motivated to create more challenging string music. Ilana’s expertise and dedication truly enriched the community.
    — Jennifer Heber-Brown, Program Coordinator, UNCW

  • Brandeis University

    Ilana Zaks’ course Violinists as Composers at Brandeis University received outstanding feedback from participants.

    Students praised her depth of knowledge and engaging teaching, describing the course as “fantastic,” “extremely well prepared,” and “a pleasure to experience.” Participants noted that she “brings extra life to music—even when it is familiar” and that “the music was exceptional.”

    Many expressed a strong interest in continuing to study with her and attending future programs.

    -Robin Hershkowtz, Assistant Director, Brandeis

Current & Upcoming Classes

Since 2025, Ilana has been on the faculty at Rollins College in Central Florida and at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.

Group Classes & Workshops

From chamber music and storytelling to creative career building, these workshops invite students into the full, vibrant world of music-making. Each session is rooted in real-world experience and designed to spark imagination.

Sample Topics

Collaboration: Behind the Scenes. Violin & multimedia presentation focusing on a brief history of multidisciplinary collaboration, and the step-by-step process of creating collaborations across a variety of artistic disciplines and beyond. The program encourages students to discover how their creativity contributes to the development of the violin and the broader musical landscape. Each program receives a customized study guide that covers topics such as basic music concepts, collaboration, and ways for students to engage in their own projects.

Solo Violin: History and Today. A survey of solo violin music and the developments of the violin as a solo instrument through a presentation combined with performance and discussion of the historical background of the music. The relevance of the basis in harmony, variation, rhythm, and form is drawn to connect the dots to today's popular music. The music comes alive as participants sing and clap out rhythms alongside a diverse lineup of music by Bach, Paganini, Piazzolla, Lauren Bernofsky, Coleridge Taylor Perkinson, and more.

Creative Career Building in the Arts. Q&A style presentation where student scan ask questions about artistic experiences from a fourth-generation violinist, ranging from orchestral, solo, chamber music performing, teaching, recording, multidisciplinary collaboration, film directing/producing, and more!

Looking for more personalized guidance?

Private violin and viola lessons are available for students of all ages, with a focus on technique, musicality, and individual growth.

Explore Private Lessons

Book a group class with Ilana

Violinist Ilana Zaks smiling while holding a violin towards the camera on a city street.