100+

Students Taught

Nearly a decade of experience teaching violinists and violists of all ages and backgrounds

6-78

Ages Taught

Curious Beginners | Amateur Adults | Professionals

NEC

B.M. | M.M.

Teaching assistant for Stratis Minakakis’s Musicianship & Literacy Course

In-Person & Virtual

Flexible Learning

Learn in-person in Boston or from anywhere in the world.

“Michael is that rare kind of teacher who goes beyond technique, bringing clarity, warmth, and humanity to his work. Even in just a few months of working with him, I’ve come to appreciate how he makes complex ideas feel intuitive and meaningful. He doesn’t just fix problems—he helps me deeply understand the music, which has been invaluable as I continue to grow as a musician.

What stands out most is how attuned he is to how I learn. As I study Russian, Michael draws insightful parallels that bring music to life in unexpected ways. Working with Michael has helped me stay rooted in music while balancing other academic goals. He brings a rare blend of thoughtfulness, professionalism, and musical insight—creating an environment where I feel challenged, supported, and excited to grow. I feel incredibly lucky to learn from him—not just as a violinist, but as someone who helps me think more clearly and creatively through music.”

Northeastern University Student

“Michael possesses an extremely unique gift for unlocking his students’ potential and leading them to be independent and informed musical thinkers. His ability to analyze physical issues that may be hindering a player’s development is truly remarkable, and his vast knowledge of musical practice and structure creates thoughtful students with compelling musical ideas.”

Eastman School of Music Masters Student

“I am a dedicated adult student. I have been playing for a long time now, but starting as a student in her 50's. I have had a delightful, however tortuous, learning curve. Michael is concise, relaxed, empathetic and exceedingly astute as to the mission of my advancement. One of the aspects of Michael's teaching style which I've noticed is his sometimes-brevity. He will drop a comment and leave the thought for me to ponder and figure out. He will, conversely, at times explain in great detail a particular idea or technique.”

Retired Equestrian Coach & Artist

“I decided to play violin at 66 years of age and started lessons via Zoom with Michael Fisher who has made the experience enjoyable and productive. I run a company and I knew that I would have a difficult time keeping appointments for in-person study because of my schedule. Although I am early in my lessons, I feel very fortunate to have begun with Michael and have him as my teacher. Michael also happens to be a very nice person and will probably one day be a famous performing violinist.”

Business Owner & Retired Chief of Police

“I highly recommend Michael as a private violin instructor. His expertise, professionalism and supportive teaching style create an ideal learning environment. I began taking lessons almost 2 years ago now as a beginner with zero violin experience. I still have a long way to go, but thanks to Michael’s guidance I have progressed significantly.”

Public Health Dealer

Teaching Philosophy

Michael’s teaching focuses on developing the skills students need to become independent learners and make meaningful progress between lessons. Drawing from years of personal study and exploration, Michael emphasizes efficient practice strategies, strong technical fundamentals, and the problem-solving skills necessary for consistent, long term growth. By building a reliable foundation, students are encouraged to move beyond technical challenges and fully express their musical ideas. His ultimate goal is to inspire curiosity and challenge what students think is possible through the violin, through music, and through life.

H. Wieniawski: Concerto No. 1, Op. 14 | I. Allegro Moderato

Michael Fisher, violin

Yandi Chen, piano

J. Brahms: Concerto in D Major, Op. 77 | I. Allegro non troppo (Excerpt)

Michael Fisher, violin

Ellen Boll, piano

About Michael

Korean-American violinist Michael Fisher is praised for his colorful, characterful performances and his collaborative and leadership qualities. Currently based in Boston, Michael is the appointed concertmaster of Benjamin Zander’s Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and will return to the New England Conservatory in pursuit of his Master of Music in Violin Performance with Soovin Kim, also studying with Nathan Cole and Guy Braunstein.

An avid orchestral musician, Michael is widely recognized for his role as a concertmaster. His 2024-25 season included multiple performances with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (including concert tours throughout Europe and Mexico), Carnegie Hall’s NYO-USA All-Star Alumni Orchestra, the NEC Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia, an invitation to the Aspen Music Festival as a Center for Orchestral Leadership Fellow, and invitations to masterclasses for Rainer Honeck, Guy Braunstein, Jennifer Frautschi, Nancy Zhou, and Chad Hoopes. In addition to his orchestral work, Michael has performed numerous solo recitals through Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, and was named Finalist of both the New York Classic Violin Competition (2024) and NFMC Young Artist Competition (2025).

Studies & Career

Michael’s musical journey began with his parents; both of whom are musicians - a pianist and percussionist. Having been surrounded by music from birth, Michael chose to take violin lessons by the age of 4, studying the Suzuki method with Patricia Thayer in Williamsport, PA. Michael was lucky to be introduced to James Lyon at age 10, with whom he studied for 6 years before attending NEC. His other mentors include Soovin Kim (present), Nathan Cole, Guy Braunstein, Benjamin Zander, Ara Gregorian, Mai Motobuchi, Mark Churchill, and Dina Vainshtein. Michael has also performed in masterclasses for Jennifer Frautschi, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Chad Hoopes, Nancy Zhou, Rainer Honeck, Jessie Fellows, Grigory Kalinovsky, Simon James, and Justin Bruns.

Michael has received numerous recognitions and awards for his musicianship. Michael’s tenure with Benjamin Zander’s orchestra has included multiple performances of Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben on tour in South Africa (2023). At NEC, Michael has been concertmaster of the NEC Symphony, NEC Chamber Orchestra, and NEC Philharmonia and is the recipient of the Tourjee Alumni Award. In addition to being invited to NYO-USA’s All-Star Alumni Orchestra, Michael was accepted to the 2019 cohort of NYO-USA which toured Europe. Michael was the concertmaster of the PMEA All-State, Central Region, and District 8 Orchestras, and was invited to the NAfME National All-Honors Orchestra.

Teaching

Michael is also a very passionate educator. Working with students aged 6 through 78, Michael has experience teaching complete beginners, full-time working adults, and conservatory trained violinists and violists. He has also served as a Teaching Assistant for Stratis Minakakis’s Music Literacy and Musicianship courses at NEC.

In addition to his private teaching, Michael co-founded and teaches at a the Connecticut Chamber Music Festival, hosted at UCONN, providing introductory chamber music experiences to middle-school and high school-aged students. Michael has also taught music classes at La Collaborativa, a Boston-based organization providing educational and communal opportunities to immigrant Latinx families.

Personal Life

In addition to his commitment to music, Michael is an avid endurance runner and weight lifter. He frequently enjoys playing basketball and other sports with his friends. He is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Massachusetts, maintains an international community on social media sharing videos of his playing and highlights of his life, and he is the founder of Telor Studio LLC.