Josephine Stockwell’s love of teaching began when she opened her private studio at the age of 14 when her family lived in rural Kansas. Her first students were two young beginning violin students and an accomplished adult musician who hadn’t had lessons in ten years. She loves teaching viola technique to beginners as well as advanced students, and is committed to facilitating her students’ musical and personal growth through discipline and artistic expression.

Selected for two years in a row to mentor first year viola students at Northwestern University in Helen Callus’ studio, Stockwell currently holds weekly sessions where students learn how to maximize their mindset and organize themselves in order to excel in practice and performance endeavors. She appreciates simultaneously conveying both musical skills and life lessons.

When she earns her MM (Master of Music) in Viola Performance from Northwestern University in June 2022, Stockwell will have completed a year of String Pedagogy Classes with Mimi Zweig’s previous Teaching Assistant, Stacia Spencer.

While at Northwestern, Stockwell has earned multiple credits in “Alexander Technique'' classes which she applies when coaching students in posture and the discerning use of muscle tension and release. Stockwell’s teaching philosophy is also influenced by ideas she was exposed to in multiples courses at Oberlin Conservatory, including “String Pedagogy” with Joanne Erwin, “Fit for Life for Musicians,” “Physical Wellness in Musicians’ Lives,” “Intro to Body Mapping,” and “Music and Emotion.” She is devoted to making music in a way that is sustainable for the musician, both for herself and her students.

While Student Experience Assistant Manager for the 2020 virtual season of the Heifetz International Music Institute, Stockwell worked closely with Adam Hockman, Behavior Analyst and Learning Architect. Together they facilitated coaching sessions designed to support student musicians with goal setting, accountability, and follow through, about which she is particularly passionate.

At Oberlin Conservatory as an undergraduate, Stockwell studied arts management for two semesters. She developed a sophisticated understanding of the delicate balance, and tensions, between artistic expression, educational priorities, and fiscal considerations of nonprofit and other arts organizations. Where relevant, she guides students to make informed decisions that are aligned with these principles.

She is also a registered Violin and Viola Book 1 Suzuki teacher.