Music is drawn on Angela Rubendall's skin: Along the length of her back are the graceful lines of a violin, a two-dimensional replica of the instrument tucked under her chin.

Ms. Rubendall, 27, concedes that, with tattoos and 20 piercings, she doesn't fit the stereotype of someone who plays the classical instrument.

She teaches private lessons through Carolina String Academy and the Augusta State University Conservatory program, and performs regularly with the Augusta Choral Society and the Augusta Opera.

Some parents are taken aback that their 5-year-old's violin teacher has tattoos, she said, but older kids like the perspective.

"I just choose to express myself in this way," she said. "I guess I could have played the electric guitar and it would have fit the persona better."

Far from the rebellious stereotype, Ms. Rubendall did well in school, graduating from Augusta State with a bachelor's degree in music education in 2004.

"I'm very grounded and play by the rules," she said. At one point, she took out her piercings, but believed she wasn't being true to herself.

"I felt like part of me was gone and I was putting on this other face to teach," she said.

That's another reason she likes being her own boss. She started teaching in a classroom, but now teaches privately. The one-on-one instruction, playing correctly and getting to the details, is gratifying for her.

"I really liked this ideal of students that wanted to play," Ms. Rubendall said.

Just as she remains true to herself, she is realistic with her students -- she doesn't sugarcoat.

"I tell them you're never going to be perfect," Ms. Rubendall said. "You have to be happy with what you do."

She opens up about her musical shortcoming: her nerves, which have crippled her to the point where she can't perform alone: "I think it helps them."

It's important that her students express themselves and get into the music. That develops over time, and not every student wants to play classical. Some students like bluegrass, or Celtic. One student likes to play hymns.

"I think it's something that develops as a student matures with their instrument," she said.

Ms. Rubendall loves 20th century string music because of its dissonance and tonalities, and its clashes. Her favorite composer is Shostakovich, though she also has a deep appreciation of other string music.

"Playing it, I feel it get more in the Shostakovich because I feel that deeper," she said. "There's something sizzling there that I can connect to or get on the same wavelength."

Music is a large part of her life -- she also plays cello, viola and guitar.

"If I didn't have the music in my life, I don't know what kind of person I would possibly be," she said.