Ragga’s teaching is a dynamic combination of creativity, enthusiasm and discipline — she is completely engaged and provides fantastic focus for young players. Being a professional violinist myself, I searched far and wide for a teacher for my daughter and I could not be happier with the technical and artistic guidance that Ragga that gives her. She is simply one of the best teachers I have ever encountered.

–Sylvia Danburg Volpe
Associate Principal Second Violin, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

My son has taken violin lessons with Ragga for 8 years. From a beginner to an advanced violin player, Ragga has played a very important role in his growth. Her teaching ways are professional, inspiring and educational. She not only teaches performance techniques but also guides my son in depth to explore the musical aspect of every piece. My son improved tremendously under her guidance. Under Ragga’s tutelage, he was able to audition into the New York Symphony at age 13 and performed with other young musicians at Carnegie Hall. We are so grateful to have Ragga as a violin teacher for so many years and would definitely recommend her to future students.

–Hsin-Fang
Mother of Ragga’s student

Ragga Petursdottir is one of those rare musicians who enjoys a first rate career as a performer but who loves to teach and cares about her students. Her reputation as one of the best violin teachers in the New York area is entirely deserved. Her student recitals are chock full of high school students playing Bach, Saint-Saens and Sarasate at a very high level along with younger students whose proficiency in intonation and bow control is far beyond their years. In her lessons, she combines rigorous violin instruction with incentives and humor, all of which brings the best out of her students. She teaches not just technique but other aspects of musicality as well. My eight-year-old daughter has made remarkable progress in under a year of study with Ragga and has enjoyed her lessons immensely. We are very lucky.

–David MacDonald
Father of a student

Ragga Peturdottir has taught our daughters since they were 3 and 5 years old.  Both have flourished over the past 15 years - musically, personally and intellectually - due to Ragga's dedication and friendship, reaching a level of performance mastery that allowed them each to be selected for one of the top orchestras in the NYC area. Her focus on fundamentals, technique, sound production and musicianship are outstanding, and we were thrilled that the high quality lessons continued during Covid-19 via virtual platform, helping to provide structure and normalcy to our weekday schedule .  Support in choosing instruments and thoughtful suggestions regarding enrichment activities - including Masterclasses with renowned musicians with whom she often plays - were also par for the course with Ragga, and very much appreciated.  We are so grateful to Ragga for enriching the lives of our daughters and our broader family.

–Bettina Buss

Ragga has been teaching our two children for 13 years starting from a young age. We highly appreciate her excellent teaching and mentorship, guiding them from the very beginner stage to advanced performances that are at the highest professional level of musical literature. Ragga has truly inspired the musicianship and a lifelong passion for music in our children.

–Angela & Andreas Rhode
White Plains, NY

I am so grateful to have gotten to study under Ragga. She has helped me grow as a musician. She is an amazing instructor in both musicality and technique. I have to gotten so many opportunities to play because of Ragga. From playing in chamber ensembles to orchestras, playing a solo with my school orchestra to busking in the subways of NYC. The memories I've made with Ragga and the music we share is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

–Lucia Rhode

Ragga goes the extra mile for her students. When my daughter decided she wanted to apply to college in violin performance Ragga took time out of her own schedule to make sure my daughter was not only well prepared but felt supported in the process. In the weeks leading up to her auditions, she scheduled extra lessons to help build her confidence as well as her skills. This is the type of teacher Ragga is. She focuses on your child as a whole allowing them to grow as musicians, performers, and people. She celebrates her students' successes and pushes them when they need that extra challenge. She is a devoted teacher and a passionate violinist. My daughter was lucky to have her as her teacher.

–Lorraine Kenny