{"id":206,"date":"2026-03-18T20:43:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T20:43:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test-uwsp-multi.pantheonsite.io\/american-suzuki-institute\/?page_id=206"},"modified":"2026-05-29T16:15:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T16:15:10","slug":"asi-faculty","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/american-suzuki-institute\/asi-faculty\/","title":{"rendered":"ASI Faculty"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The American Suzuki Institute boasts a world\u2011class faculty known for their deep commitment to nurturing musical and personal growth in young musicians. ASI instructors include distinguished performers, university pedagogues, and highly trained Suzuki clinicians who bring decades of teaching and performing experience to the Institute.<\/div>
\nStudent Registration <\/i><\/a>\n\n\n\nStudent Fees <\/i><\/a>\n\n\n\nTeacher Registration <\/i><\/a>\n\n\n\nTeacher Fees <\/i><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Viola<\/h2><\/div>
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Rachel Fabulich<\/summary>
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Rachel Fabulich<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Violist, Rachel Fabulich,<\/strong> is a Suzuki student, parent, and teacher.  She is a clinician at institutes and workshops around the country and has served as a viola coordinator for the 2014 and 2016 SAA conferences. She currently runs her own studio in Framingham, MA, and serves on the Faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Mary Moran<\/summary>
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Mary Moran<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mary Moran<\/strong> is principal viola of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. As the CWSO’s Education and Community Engagement Coordinator, she performs in area schools as part of the Meet the Music program introducing elementary-age students to orchestral instruments. Previously, she was a member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, and Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra in addition to other ensembles in Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas. She has also performed with the National Repertory Orchestra, and at the Aspen Music Festival, the Round Top Festival Institute, and the Castleton Festival in Virginia. Additionally, she enjoys an active career as a chamber musician.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Kirsten Swanson<\/summary>
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Kirsten Swanson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Classical Voice of North Carolina described violist and violinist Kirsten Swanson<\/strong> as a \u201cstunning musician with flawless technique combined with that unique \u2018viola\u2019 sound that can melt your soul.\u201d  Feeling equally at ease with \u201cnew\u201d and \u201cold\u201d music, in an orchestra or solo, Dr. Swanson enjoys a diverse career that has taken her all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A committed teacher, Kirsten has studied Suzuki pedagogy with almost too many amazing teachers to list (but I\u2019ll try): Edmund Sprunger, April Losey, Sarah Montzka, Laurie Scott, Joanne Martin, Betsy Stuen-Walker, James Hutchins, Lori Einfeldt, and her beloved childhood teacher, Joanne Bath, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy from East Carolina University. Equally at home teaching adults and young children, she has guest taught at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Wake Forest University, and Elon College. She is currently an adjunct professor of viola, violin, and chamber music at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and maintains a private studio in her home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An experienced chamber musician, Dr. Swanson has collaborated with such artists as Schlomo Mintz, Garth Knox, Jon Nakamatsu, and members of the JACK, Pacifica, and Ciompi String Quartets. As an orchestral musician, she has won positions in the Winston-Salem Symphony and Greensboro Symphonies and has played full-time as a section member with the North Carolina Symphony. For the 2024-2025 season, Dr. Swanson will be sitting as the Assistant Principal viola with the Charlotte Symphony.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Janse Vincent<\/summary>
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Janse Vincent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Janse Vincent <\/strong>is a violist and violinist in the Madison, WI area where she is a member of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra viola sections and is the violist for con vivo! chamber music ensemble. She teaches with Suzuki Strings of Madison and has served as a clinician at the University of Memphis Suzuki Institute, Capitol University Suzuki Institute, Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute, ASI and various weekend workshops.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously, Janse taught at the Cincinnati String Academy and the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City, Iowa where she completed long-term Suzuki teacher training with Doris Preucil, Kimberly Meier-Sims and Sonja Zeithamel. Additional teacher training was completed with Rhonda Cole, Kay Collier (Slone) McLaughlin, William Preucil, Sr. and Betsy Stuen-Walker.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Janse holds BAs in business administration and music from Furman University, a Master\u2019s in viola performance from Northwestern University and a DMA in viola performance from the University of Iowa. Her playing has been shaped by teachers including Heidi Castleman, Victoria Chang, William Preucil, Sr., Leonard Schranze and Peter Slowik. Her lifelong association with the Suzuki method began in Florida with the Gainesville Suzuki Players. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cello<\/h2><\/div>
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Andrew Bukowinski<\/summary>
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Andrew Bukowinski<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Bukowinski<\/strong> lives in Omaha, Nebraska, where he serves as Cello Artist-Faculty at the Omaha Conservatory of Music, performs, and teaches a large roster of students in both the Suzuki and String Sprouts programs. Prior to moving to Omaha, Andrew lived in Chicago for 9 years, where he maintained an active freelancing schedule and a large and diverse teaching roster. Andrew has completed extensive Suzuki teacher training with Barbara Wampner, Avi Friedlander, Tanya Carey, Dr. Shu-Yi Scott, Abbey Hansen, Carey Beth Hockett, Pamela Devenport, and Nancy Hair, and has registered training through Book 10. During the summers, he has enjoyed teaching at the Intermountain Suzuki Institute, Omaha Suzuki Institute. Andrew\u2019s primary teachers were Thomas Landschoot and Stephen Balderston, and he holds a Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude from Arizona State University, and Master of Music, with distinction from DePaul University. When not teaching or playing cello, Andrew enjoys spending quality time with his wife and pets, drinking coffee, running, high-intensity interval training, hiking, and exploring new cities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Laura Shaw<\/summary>
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Laura Shaw<\/strong> is on the cello faculty of the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City, IA, and is a registered Cello Suzuki Teacher Trainer. She completed her long term Suzuki training with Pamela Davenport at the Hartt School of Music. Ms. Shaw earned her DMA from the University of Iowa, studying with Anthony Arnone and Hannah Holman. She has a Masters of Music from the University of Hartford, and a BA from Luther College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laura Shaw is Associate Principal of the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed with Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Falls Symphony and as a member of the Corridor Piano Trio. She has won numerous awards, including the Pelzer Award at the University of Iowa, and the Fort Dodge Concerto Competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms. Shaw has been teaching for over 20 years and is an alum of the Preucil School of Music. She will be teaching at the American Suzuki Institute in the summer of 2020, and will be doing teacher training and teaching at the Virginia Suzuki Institute.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Linc Smelser<\/summary>
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Linc Smelser<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Linc Smelser<\/strong> received his bachelor\u2019s degree in cello performance from University of Arizona, and his master\u2019s degree and performer\u2019s certificate in cello performance and pedagogy from Northern Illinois University. He is a long-term member of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and an active substitute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is on the faculty of Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and Northern Illinois University.  Appointed conductor and music director of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 2003, Linc is a frequent guest conductor for various Illinois orchestras and was named the 2009 Conductor of the Year (Small Orchestra) by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

George Teague<\/summary>
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George Teague<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

George Teague<\/strong> is a cellist and teacher in the Madison area and at the Aber Suzuki Center. He completed his Master\u2019s degree in Cello Performance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts under renowned pedagogue Dr. Tanya Carey. He completed his undergraduate degree at Northern Arizona University under Dr. Mary Ann Ramos. While at NAU, he was the recipient of the Nadene Bean Performance Scholarship. He currently sits principal cello for the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra, and has held principal seats in the CCPA Symphony and NAU Symphony Orchestras. As an active performer, he has performed with groups such as the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra, Lake County Symphony Orchestra, and Metropolitan Chamber Players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

George enjoys performing and teaching in a variety of styles, and has completed training in Suzuki Cello books 1-10 under Drs. Alice Ann O\u2019Neill and Tanya Carey. His current performance projects with the Chicago-based ensemble Otherminded <\/em>include works and improvisations that examine the role of the musician in current society, and those that break down the barrier between performer and audience.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Violin<\/h2><\/div>
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Scott Conklin<\/summary>
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Scott Conklin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Commended by The Strad<\/i> for \u201cbrilliance of tone and charismatic delivery,\u201d <\/span>Dr. Scott Conklin<\/b> regularly appears internationally as a recitalist, soloist, recording artist, chamber musician, orchestral player, adjudicator, and teacher. He is Professor of Violin at the University of Iowa School of Music and a violin teacher at the Preucil School of Music. Dr. Conklin has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Louisville, Nashville, and Berlin Symphony Orchestras. He is an Iowa String Teachers Association Leopold LaFosse Studio Teacher of the Year Award Winner and a Kentucky Colonel. Dr. Conklin\u2019s students have procured appointments or have come from Asia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. A former student of Paul Kantor (University of Michigan), David Updegraff (Cleveland Institute of Music), and Carol Dallinger, Dr. Conklin has recorded albums on the Albany, Centaur, Chandos, MSR Classics labels as well as Alfred Music. <\/span>www.scottconklinviolin.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Pat D’Ercole<\/summary>
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Patricia D’Ercole<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pat D’Ercole <\/strong>is Director Emerita of the Aber Suzuki Center at the UW-Stevens Point where she taught violin to children and Suzuki pedagogy courses.  She completed a master’s degree with an emphasis in Suzuki with Margery Aber and, in 1988, studied in Japan with Dr. Suzuki. She has been a clinician in 22 states in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Finland, Estonia, Peru, Chile and Taiwan.  Pat has written numerous articles for the American Suzuki Journal, was chair of the Suzuki Association (SAA) Board of Directors and served as a member of the SAA committees to develop the Every Child Can! course and the Suzuki Principles in Action course. She was the founder and first president of the Suzuki Association of Wisconsin and has been on the planning committee for the International Research Symposium on Talent Education since its inception in 1991 and has served as its coordinator since 1995.  Through her leadership, “The American Suzuki Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: The Suzuki Method in Action,” a collection of videos which chronicles the two weeks of Dr. Suzuki’s teaching at the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point in 1976, is now preserved and posted on the web for free viewing by all.  In 2002, she was the recipient of the American Suzuki Institute’s Suzuki Chair Award and in 2008 became a Distinguished Instructional Specialist at UWSP.  In 2020 she was honored by WI-ASTA as the Studio Teacher of the Year. In September 2010, Pat began the Suzuki Strings Mentoring Program, an online long-term practicum to assist and support Suzuki string teachers in their quest to become a better teacher within the environment of their usual employment. Pat currently teaches part-time at the Aber Suzuki Center.  She is active as a teacher trainer at workshops, institutes and the mentoring program.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Carol Dallinger<\/summary>
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Carol Dallinger\u200b<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Carol Dallinger<\/strong> is Professor of Music at the University of Evansville where she has been a member of the faculty since 1972. She is also founder and coordinator of the University of Evansville Suzuki Violin Program. An active performer, Ms. Dallinger serves as principal second violinist of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and performs regularly on department recitals. Ms. Dallinger has lectured at both state and national music conferences and, as a registered teacher trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas, frequently serves as clinician for summer institutes throughout the United States and overseas. She is a former member of the National Board of Directors of the Suzuki Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms. Dallinger has been recognized for her contributions to teaching with the UE Alumni Board Outstanding Teacher Award in 1995, and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award in 2000. In 2006, she received the Suzuki Chair Award for her contributions to the field of Suzuki Talent Education at the American Suzuki Institute, Stevens Point, WI. From 2008 – 2013 Ms. Dallinger held the title of Oramay Cluthe Eades Distinguished Professor of Music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Dallinger holds a Bachelor of Music in performance from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master of Music in performance from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She currently teaches courses in applied violin, applied viola, and Suzuki violin pedagogy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Colleen Fitzgerald<\/summary>
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Colleen Fizgerald<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Colleen Fitzgerald<\/strong> is director of the Barcel Suzuki String Academy in Wauwatosa, WI. She is a violin and Suzuki Early Childhood Education instructor. Ms. Fitzgerald earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance with Suzuki Pedagogy Emphasis at the University of Evansville and a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from Cardinal Stritch University. Colleen was awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Studio Teaching from the Civic Music Association (2006) and earned the Certificate of Achievement 1 from the SAA (2017). She has been featured on TV and radio programs and Beyond the Music Lesson podcast discussing the Suzuki Method. Colleen is a clinician at workshops and institutes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Guttenberg<\/summary>
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Lisa Guttenberg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Guttenberg<\/strong> is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) where she received a BM (\u201998) in Violin Performance and a MM (\u201900) in Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy. At CIM, she was a student of Linda Cerone, David Russell, and Michele George. Lisa has also studied with Koji Toyoda at the Talent Education Institute in Japan. She has been a member of the faculty at Preucil School of Music (2000-2005) and the University of Northern Iowa Suzuki School (2000-2003). She was Assistant Concertmaster of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony and subbed with the Cedar Rapids Symphony. From 2006-2010, she lived and taught in Valencia, Spain and from 2010-2014, she taught at All Newton Music School and Winchester Community Music School. She returned to Iowa in 2014 and is currently the Assistant Director at Preucil School of Music.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Bryan Emmon Hall<\/summary>
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Bryan Hall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hailed by Cincinnati City Beat as \u201cextraordinarily evocative\u201d for his performances and reviewed by the Salisbury Post as playing with \u201cgreat beauty and extraordinary brilliance,\u201d for his performance of Sibelius Violin Concerto, <\/em>Dr. Bryan Emmon Hall<\/strong> has performed extensively in the United States and abroad as a chamber, orchestra, violinist, violist, and conductor. Bryan Hall is the recent winner of the prestigious 31st<\/sup> International Conductors Workshop and Competition held in Atlanta, Georgia in 2023. Bryan has performed in such venues as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, and the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, China. He has also appeared as a soloist with over 30 orchestras such as the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, Shasta Symphony Orchestra, Balcones Symphony, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, Winston-Salem Piedmont Triad Symphony Orchestra, Austin Civic Orchestra, Central Texas Orchestra, Piedmont Wind Symphony, Juneau String Ensemble, Cincinnati Accent Festival Orchestra, and many others. Dr. Hall is a very passionate teacher who began teaching privately while still in high school. In Cincinnati, he taught violin and school orchestra for numerous elementary, middle, and high schools in the area where he started over 200 new violin students. He currently supervises a violin program in Milledgeville Early Learning Center that starts around 250 students a year, taught by Georgia College string students. Dr. Hall served on the faculty of The University of Alaska Fairbanks as Associate Professor of Upper Strings.  He was Concertmaster of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, conductor of the Northern Lights Symphony Orchestra, and conductor of the Fairbanks Youth Symphony Orchestra. He was visiting Concertmaster of the Juneau Symphony Orchestra 2018-2019. His articles are published in publications like String Magazine.<\/em> Bryan Hall is currently the Assistant Professor of Upper Strings and Orchestra Conductor at Georgia College and State University. He frequently performs in the violin sections of the Atlanta, North Carolina, Charleston, and Charlotte Symphony Orchestras.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Randal Harrison Hoecherl<\/summary>
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Randal Harrison Hoecherl<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Randal Harrison Hoecherl<\/strong> grew up studying with Margery Aber, founder of the American Suzuki Institute, where he had masterclasses with Shinichi Suzuki. He later studied with NEA Jazz Master Richard Davis. Honored with composing, performing and recording awards, Randal\u2019s also past president of the Suzuki Association of Wisconsin, founder of ESTEAM and travels the world to work with students and colleagues – sharing ideas on improvisation and an eclectic mix of violin studies. You\u2019ll find him at the American Suzuki Institute, the Singapore International String Conference and at randalharrison.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Nancy Lokken<\/summary>
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Nancy Lokken<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nancy Lokken<\/strong> directs Augsburg Suzuki Talent Education (ASTE) in Minneapolis. She is a registered Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas, studied with Dr. Suzuki in Japan and has been an active Clinician and Teacher Trainer throughout the United States, Canada, and Latin America. She is the founder of SAM (Suzuki Association of MN), and served on the SAA Teacher Development Committees which developed the courses ECC!, \u201cEvery Child Can!\u201d and SPA, \u201cSuzuki Principals in Action.\u201d She was honored with the Master Teacher award for the state of Minnesota in 1998, and received the American Suzuki Institute Chair Award in 2012. Ms. Lokken was a Suzuki parent to three children and is now a Suzuki grandparent. She is deeply appreciative of Dr. Suzuki’s contribution to education through music, and his philosophy that guides the teaching.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Roy Meyer<\/summary>
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Roy Meyer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Highly regarded as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player and teacher, Roy\u2019s chamber debut in Carnegie Hall was hailed as \u201cmarvelous\u201d by the Epoch Times In addition to his role as concertmaster of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, he is a founding member of the Apollo Music Festival in Houston, Minnesota. Chamber music collaborations include performances with Mike Block and Wu Tong of Yo-Yo Ma\u2019s Silk Road Ensemble, and violinists Tobias Steymans, concertmaster of the Bavarian Radio Symphony, and Robert Hanford, concertmaster of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Festival appearances include the Round Top Festival and performances with Opera Italiana with musicians of the Metropolitan Opera as part of the Central Park Summer Concerts, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meyer has appeared as soloist with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Wartburg Community Symphony Orchestra, and Indiana State University Orchestra. He has served as the concertmaster of Illinois Symphony Orchestra since 2015 and continues to perform with the Sarasota Orchestra and Chicago Philharmonic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dedicated educator, Meyer has led master classes at the Apollo Music Festival, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Virginia Tech, SUNY New Paltz, Indiana State University, and the Aber Suzuki Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and served as a member of the faculty at the Illinois Chamber Music Festival in Bloomington, Illinois. In 2018, he served as the visiting professor of violin at Illinois Wesleyan University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roy Meyer began violin studies at 4 years old with Kyoko Fuller and earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Masters of Music from the University of South Florida in Tampa, and pursued a certificate at New York University. His primary teachers include David Perry, Carolyn Stuart, Gregory Fulkerson, Naoko Tanaka, and Laurie Hamilton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When not on stage, Roy enjoys following sports, traveling, and hiking.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Ann Montzka-Smelser<\/summary>
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Ann Montzka-Smelser<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In between receiving her Bachelors of Music Education and Masters in Performance and Pedagogue at Northern Illinois University, Ann studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan. In 2003, Ann was the recipient of the Byron Hester Memorial Excellence in Teaching Award. Ann is currently principal 2nd violinist with Camerata Chicago and concertmaster of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra. As a Registered Suzuki Teacher Trainer, Ann teaches Suzuki Pedagogy at Wheaton College and Northern Illinois University. She is director of the NIU, CSA Suzuki Strings Program. Ann enjoys working with Suzuki families at Suzuki Institutes and workshops throughout the United States and in 2010 taught at the International String Conference in Singapore and the Latin American Suzuki Festival in Lima, Peru.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Lyda Partee Osinga<\/summary>
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Lyda Partee Osinga<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lyda Partee Osinga<\/strong> is an orchestra teacher, conductor, author, parent educator, and coach with a history of influencing educators and students for over 40 years.  Other educators observing her work with students describe her as an intuitive and knowledgeable teacher. They recognize she understands the mystery of how certain students learn easily and effectively, while others face frustration and failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lyda is one of the oldest Suzuki students in this country since she started the violin in 1964 at the age of 4. In 1988, she had the amazing privilege to spend two months in Japan studying with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, who had her playing La Folia from book 6 every day. She has been a Suzuki teacher for decades with great mentors like William Starr, John Kendall, Doris Preucil, Margery Aber, and Pat D\u2019Ercole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After receiving a master\u2019s degree in Suzuki pedagogy, Lyda directed Suzuki music schools for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and at the University of Memphis (TN). Lyda is a National Board Certified Teacher and currently teaches orchestra for grades 3-12 for the Milwaukee Public Schools along with a private studio. She also conducts an orchestra for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and has presented sessions on teaching for state and national conferences. Her passion is to transform students\u2019 lives by the power of music and to be life-long learners. She’s also a mom who\u2019s been through it all from Twinkle to concertos along with the fights over practicing and quitting.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Meghan Perdue<\/summary>
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Meghan Perdue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Internationally acclaimed violinist Meghan Perdue<\/strong> has been an active member of the music industry as a sought-after performer and accomplished teacher since 2006. She holds her Bachelor of Music degree from Belmont University in Commercial Violin Performance, a Master of Music degree also from Belmont in Commercial Violin Performance with a focus on String Pedagogy, and an Ed.D. in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change from Lipscomb University. Fluent in a broad range of styles such as classical, Celtic, Scandinavian, jazz, bluegrass, and more, Perdue’s versatility as a musician distinguishes her as a current resident of Nashville, TN, where she works as a performing and recording performer and teacher. Perdueis a full-time Instructor of Music at Nashville State Community College as well as faculty at Belmont University in the School of Music and former faculty at Vanderbilt University in the Blair School of Music. Additionally, she is both a member of the teaching faculty and of the organizing committee for Alasdair Fraser’s Sierra Fiddle Camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information, visit www.meghanperdue.weebly.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Grazzia Rode-Sagastume<\/summary>
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Grazzia Rode-Sagastume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Grazzia Rode-Sagastume<\/strong> is a Honduran violinist, violist, and early childhood educator. She began her musical journey at age 13 in her hometown: San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Her passion for empowering others to have a healthy relationship with their instrument inspired her to pursue a Master in String Pedagogy at the University of New Mexico where she completed her long term training in violin books 1- 10 under Susan Kempter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An avid life-long learner, among her most recent taken course work: \u201cWorking with 3 to 6 year olds\u201d with Mark Mutter, \u201cSuzuki Principles in Action\u201d with Nancy Lokken, \u201cFostering Positive Practice between Students & Caregivers\u201d with Christine Goodner.  Field and string pedagogies that supplement her teaching philosophy encompass:<\/strong> research in neuroscience,  childhood development, parenting, alexander technique; and the pedagogies of Mimi Zweig, Ivan Galamian, Kat\u00f3 Havas, Dorothy Delay, and Paul Rolland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her teaching experience includes working with the Omaha Conservatory  of Music, String Sprouts, Omaha Suzuki Institute, Youth Musician\u2019s Initiative (El Sistema), and UNM Suzuki Laboratory School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grazzia also enjoys an international performing career. She has won orchestral positions and played in orchestras in the United States, Italy, Canada, Guatemala, and Honduras. Recent appearances include performing with Omaha Symphony, Sioux City Symphony, Broadway at Omaha Performing Arts, Mannheim Steamroller, New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, and Spazio Opera.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Kathy Rollings<\/summary>
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Kathy Rollings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kathy Rollings<\/strong> lives in Columbia, MO where she maintains a full Suzuki studio of violinists and violists. She holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in violin performance, and has registered extensive teacher training with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Kathy serves on the faculties of the American Suzuki Institute, Sound Encounters, and the Ottawa Suzuki Institute in the summers, and she teaches weekend workshops when she can. A United Methodist Deacon, Kathy is the Associate Pastor at Fairview United Methodist Church, where she serves as Minister of Music, Youth Pastor, and Minister of Christian Formation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Beth Titterington<\/summary>
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Beth Titterington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beth Titterington<\/strong> is a Violin Teacher Trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She has been actively involved in the Suzuki Method since 1972, when she first heard the Japanese Talent Education Tour Group. Margery Aber chose her as one of the ‘honorarium students’ for the American Suzuki Institute the next year, in 1973. Since that time, she has studied with many people in the field including, most importantly, Dr. Suzuki. Ms.Titterington has served on the faculty at the Conservatory of Music \/ University of Missouri (KC) teaching Suzuki Method pedagogy classes and also directs her own studio, Kansas City Talent Education. She founded the Heart of America Suzuki Association in 1979, which is a regional affiliate of the SAA. An active clinician from 1975 to the present, she has taught and lectured at hundreds of institutes and workshops across the United States, Canada and in England. Ms. Titterington has served on numerous SAA committees over the years, and was elected to the SAA Board of Directors, serving from 2006-2009.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Rebecca White<\/summary>
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<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rebecca White<\/strong> is a second-generation Suzuki violin teacher who has been on all three sides of the Suzuki Triangle, giving her a deep understanding and unique perspective for her students and families.  She is currently the Director of Pickerington Suzuki Strings, which she founded in 2004.  Twenty years later, Pickerington Suzuki Strings continues to thrive, providing her students with the highest standard of playing, strong connections, and local outreach opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebecca also teaches at Denison University in their Suzuki Program as the co-director of their Advanced Performance Group and helps to organize and run their weekend workshops.  In addition to her home teaching, she has served on faculty at the Intermountain Suzuki Strings Institute and the American Suzuki Institute for twenty plus years, as well as been an esteemed clinician at numerous other weekend and summer workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Illinois and a Master of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where she completed long-term training with Patricia D\u2019Ercole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her spare time, Rebecca loves to practice yoga, read, and spend time with her family and friends.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

James Van Reeth<\/summary>
\n
\"=""\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

James Van Reeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

James Van Reeth<\/strong>, violinist, is director of the Denison University Suzuki Program in Granville, Ohio. He holds a Bachelors of Music in violin performance from the Aaron Copeland School of Music at Queens College-CUNY and a Masters in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point having completed long-term Suzuki training with Patricia D\u2019Ercole. Jim is a faculty member at Suzuki Music Columbus and performs with the Sterling String Quartet and the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra. He is co-coordinator of the Suzuki Youth Orchestras of the Americas for the SAA 2012 conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Piano<\/h2><\/div>
\n
Gail Gebhart<\/summary>
\n
\"=""\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gail Gebhart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u200bGail Gebhart<\/strong> is a private Suzuki piano teacher in Farmington Hills, Michigan.  In addition to maintaining an active studio, she is on the faculty of Wayne State University where she teaches private and class piano.  She received a B.M. With Distinction from the University of Michigan and a M.M. in Piano Performance from Wayne State University. She received Suzuki training from Mary Craig Powell, Yasuko Joichi and Renee Robbins. A coordinator the piano area for the Suzuki Association of the Americas\u2019 Biennial Conference in 2014 and she has taught at the Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute, Colorado Suzuki Institute, Oregon Suzuki Institute, Calgary Suzuki Institute, and the Chicago Suzuki Institute.  In August 2016, Gail became a piano Teacher Trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Ann Marie Novak<\/summary>
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Ann Marie Novak<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ann Marie Novak,<\/strong> Director of Suzuki Programs, has taught piano and served as collaborative pianist at the Aber Suzuki Center for over 30 years. She was the founding Director of the Northampton Community Music Center (MA) and has served as President of the Suzuki Association of Wisconsin and Co-chair of the Stevens Point District of the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association. She was head of the Suzuki Departments at both the Performing Arts Division of UMass and at the Community Music School of Springfield. She is a regular clinician at the SAW Retreat and the American Suzuki Institute and has taught masterclasses at workshops in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Her students have been featured in Master Classes both locally and nationally, and they regularly receive honors at WMTA District and State Auditions. She has performed as a soloist and as a chamber musician, and she presents lectures at both the American Suzuki Institute and SAA Conferences. Miss Novak manages and has written for the ASC parent education blog, develops parent education materials, and has been published several times in the SAA Journal. She was honored as the 2015 Stevens Point Area Music Teachers’ Association Member of the Year and received the Suzuki Association of Wisconsin Suzuki Sensei Award in 2020.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Thomas Yang<\/summary>
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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tom Yang<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tom Yang<\/strong> joined the Aber Suzuki Center faculty in 1999. Born in New Jersey, he did his undergraduate work at Bucknell University where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music History. Following his studies at Bucknell, he went on to earn a Master of Music in piano performance at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later to do work towards a piano performance doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tom\u2019s varied experience has included teaching in a private studio in Marshfield, at the Wausau Conservatory of Music and at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Harp<\/h2><\/div>
\n
Delaine Leonard<\/summary>
\n
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Delaine Leonard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Delaine Fedson Leonard\u2019s<\/strong> career spans several decades of performing and teaching. Relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2022 after 40 years in Austin, TX, she has been active in the Charlotte and Charleston Symphony and chamber music scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delaine\u2019s other passion is education and helping young artists find their voices. She\u2019s currently retired from The University of Texas Butler School of Music in 2022. She held previous posts at UNC Greensboro, Baylor, Southwestern, Texas A& M and Winthrop (SC) Universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delaine collaborated with most major Texas Symphonies including Austin, San Antonio, Ft. Worth, Waco, Valley, Laredo and the Dallas Opera Orchestra where she was Second Harp\/Permanent Extra for 16 years. She retired from the DFW Professional Musician\u2019s Union and Local #144 in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delaine continues to work as an advocate to raise public awareness of the harp through volunteer service to the American Harp Society, Inc., including 12 years on the Board of Directors, service as National President, Board Secretary, and now Chair of the Nominations Committee. Delaine is also the first officially registered Harp Teacher Trainer (other than the originator) for the Suzuki Association of the Americas.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Phala Tracy<\/summary>
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Phala Tracy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Phala Tracy<\/strong> teaches Suzuki harp at Studio Fidicina in Minneapolis, MN and she is adjunct faculty at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.\u202f\u202fShe teaches harp and music theory at Suzuki institutes across the country and she is a Suzuki Harp Teacher Trainer.\u202f\u202fPhala holds degrees in Harp Performance and Music History from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (BM) and degrees in Harp Performance and Composition from the California Institute for the Arts (MFA).\u202f\u202fShe has recorded a children\u2019s CD of\u202fCritter Songs\u202fand is working toward publishing her curriculum of\u202fMusic Theory in Song and Rhyme\u202fand her collection of\u202fSongs for Sight Reading.\u202f\u202fShe is an active arranger, composer, improviser and freelance musician.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Suzuki Early Childhood Education<\/h2><\/div>
\n
Danette Warren<\/summary>
\n
\"=""\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Danette Warren<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Danette Warren<\/strong> is the Director of Dolce Music Academy, home of Dolce Strings and Dolce Babies, where she teaches violin, viola and Suzuki Early Childhood classes. She also co-directs the Dolce Strings Touring Ensemble. She is an SAA Registered SECE Teacher Trainer. As one of the teachers who taught SECE classes at the 16th World Convention in Japan, she also had the privilege of speaking and presenting the SECE curriculum in depth. She is also the Director of the new Houston Suzuki Institute for Early Childhood Education. A sought-after clinician at institutes, workshops, festivals and schools, she has been teaching for over 40 years, and has held positions such as President of the Houston Area Suzuki Strings Association (now Southeast Texas Suzuki Association), and state board member of Texas Music Teachers Association. She has received the Houston Music Teachers Association President\u2019s \u201cBravo\u201d award and was also awarded \u201cTeacher of the Year\u201d. She has been published in the American Suzuki Journal, contributed a video to Parents and Partners Online, and has presented at numerous  SAA Conferences and Leadership Retreats. She was also the SECE Coordinator for the 2018 SAA Conference. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree with honors from Indiana University, where she studied violin with Tadeusz Wronski and Josef Gingold. She has had the great privilege of studying SECE with the creators of the curriculum, Dorothy Jones and Sharon Jones. She also co-directs McKenzie\u2019s Fiddle and Suzuki Workshop, performs with the M\u00f6bius Chamber Ensemble and as a freelance violinist and violist in the greater Houston area.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Voice<\/h2><\/div>
\n
Solmari Figueroa<\/summary>
\n
\"=""\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Solmari Figueroa Cruz<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Solmar\u00ed Figueroa Cruz, <\/strong>mezzosoprano, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She completed her high school education in piano and choir at the Escuela Libre de M\u00fasica of San Juan. She pursued undergraduate studies at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, specializing in Music Education with a focus on Choral Music. Currently, she is earning a master\u2019s degree in music education with an emphasis on Suzuki Pedagogy at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2016, Solmar\u00ed has been a dedicated Suzuki Voice teacher, completing training up to Book 5 in 2023 under mentor Mary Hofer. Notably, she served on the faculty at the First Suzuki Voice Institute in the Americas (ASI, WI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solmar\u00ed teaches Suzuki Voice at the Escuela Puertorrique\u00f1a para la M\u00fasica and choir at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Bayam\u00f3n. Her passion for vocal music shaped her career, inspiring young musicians through dedicated music education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Mary Hofer<\/summary>
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Mary Hofer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mary Hofer<\/strong> has been developing a project incorporating voice instruction and the Suzuki philosophy at the University of Wisconsin\u2013Stevens Point Aber Suzuki Center for twenty-five years.  The program is modeled after the Finnish Suzuki voice program, directed by Dr. Paivi Kukkamaki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs. Hofer, a presenter at the 1990, 1994, 2010, and 2012 SAA Conferences, is the first American voice teacher to attain Teacher Trainer Status in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to teaching Suzuki voice, Mary taught pre-school through Grade 8 General Music, Junior High Chorus, and private voice lessons for ten years.  A lyric soprano, Hofer has attended seminars led by the eminent vocal pedagogue Oren Brown, and participated in opera workshops at Oglebay Park, West Virginia, and American University, Washington, DC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hofer, a long-time student of Professor Emeritus Marjorie Phelps-Kampenga, has coached with Jon Spong, Fred Popper, Richard Crittenten, and Max Walmer.  Hofer holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Creative U<\/h2><\/div>
\n
Ching-chu Hu<\/summary>
\n
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Ching-chu Hu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Born in Iowa City, Iowa, Ching-chu Hu<\/strong> received his degrees at Yale University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Michigan. He is an award-winning composer whose music has been recorded and performed internationally. Honors include the Aaron Copland Fellow at the MacDowell Colony for the Arts and winner of the American Prize for Chamber Music. He is Professor of Music at Denison University, where he has been a faculty member since 2000 and founded the TUTTI New Arts Festival. His four children, Xander, Elisabeth, Nicholas, and Madeline are Suzuki students on violin, piano, and flute.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

George Teague<\/summary>
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\"=""\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

George Teague<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

George Teague<\/strong> is a cellist and teacher in the Madison area and Aber Suzuki Center. He completed his Master\u2019s degree in Cello Performance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts under renowned pedagogue Dr. Tanya Carey. He completed his undergraduate degree at Northern Arizona University under Dr. Mary Ann Ramos. While at NAU, he was the recipient of the Nadene Bean Performance Scholarship. He currently sits principal cello for the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra, and has held principal seats in the CCPA Symphony and NAU Symphony Orchestras. As an active performer, he has performed with groups such as the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra, Lake County Symphony Orchestra, and Metropolitan Chamber Players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

George enjoys performing and teaching in a variety of styles, and has completed training in Suzuki Cello books 1-10 under Drs. Alice Ann O\u2019Neill and Tanya Carey. His current performance projects with the Chicago-based ensemble Otherminded <\/em>include works and improvisations that examine the role of the musician in current society, and those that break down the barrier between performer and audience.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Collaborative Pianists<\/h2><\/div>
\n
Ann Applegate<\/summary>
<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n
JeHae Kim-Bixby<\/summary>
\n
\"=""\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

JeHae Kim-Bixby<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Collaborative Pianist JeHae Kim-Bixby<\/strong> holds Bachelor\u2019s and Master\u2019s degrees in Piano (The Seoul Theological University of Korea), a Master\u2019s degree and Performance Certificate in Piano Accompanying (Northern Illinois University), and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano and Coaching (Canada Christian College). She has shared her talents as an adjunct professor in Korea and an accompanist for choirs and soloists worldwide until she came to USA 2020. In 2022 she began collaborating with students and faculty members at the Music Department of UW Stevens Point in both voice and instrument disciplines. Also she has helped the students as she teaches the piano at the Wausau Conservatory of Music. Her talent, work ethic and willingness to collaborate at the highest level has been praised at the University. She is deeply grateful for all the opportunities that have been given to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and three children.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Tom Yang<\/summary>
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tom Yang<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tom Yang<\/strong> joined the Aber Suzuki Center faculty in 1999. Born in New Jersey, he did his undergraduate work at Bucknell University where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music History. Following his studies at Bucknell, he went on to earn a Master of Music in piano performance at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later to do work towards a piano performance doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tom\u2019s varied experience has included teaching in a private studio in Marshfield, at the Wausau Conservatory of Music and at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Teacher Enrichment<\/h2><\/div>
\n
Dalton Potter<\/summary>
<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n
Carrie Salisbury<\/summary>
\n
\"=""\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Carrie Salisbury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Carrie Salisbury is a Los Angeles-based performer, small-business owner, and violin\/viola teacher. She created StringsPop<\/a>, a music theory enrichment experience for teens and tweens, and offers innovative teacher and student workshops on Creative Music Literacy. Carrie holds a B.M. in Viola performance and now studies orchestral repertoire and pedagogy with Dr. Mick Wetzel. A Suzuki teacher of 20+ years, she directs the SMAC Los Angeles Branch. Her private students perform regularly as Crescendo Strings, an all-ages multi-level string group and as First Inversion, a premiere teen ensemble known for creating and performing their own arrangements. She is a parent to three young Suzuki string students with her husband, pianist-composer Benjamin Salisbury.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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