1999 Brochure: String Faculty

String Institute Faculty - Violin

Ellie Albers, Colorado _ For the past 19 years Ellie has taught and practiced with her own 4 children and currently runs the Longmont Suzuki Strings, a program of 50 students ages 2 through 15. She trained with Betty Haag, John Kendall and James Maurer. Ellie received her Bachelor of Music from DePaul University in Chicago and went on to start a Suzuki program in Waukegan, Illinois.

Clarisse Atcherson, Oregon _ Ms. Atcherson has a dual career, performing with the Oregon Symphony and teaching students of all levels at the Community Music Center and privately in her home. She studied with Doris Preucil from age 5 to 18, in one of the first Suzuki Programs in America. Clarisse went on to Eastman, where she graduated summa cum laude and valedictorian in 1982. She received her Master of Music degree from Southern Illinois University, where she studied with John Kendall.

Julie Athayde, California _ Julie has taught at numerous Institutes and Clinics in the Western U. S. and continues to be a free-lance violinist in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she began teaching in 1973. She has studied with Dr. Suzuki in Japan and John Kendall among several others. Julie is a graduate of Holy Names College in Oakland. She received her Masters in Music Performance at Stanford University.

Barbara Barber, Texas _ Barbara Barber is Assistant Professor of Violin at Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth. She directs TCU's Suzuki Pedagogy Program and Institute and Advanced String Camp. She is a member of the Dallas Chamber Orchestra. Internationally known as a concert violinist, recording artist, clinician, publisher, editor and author, she has concertized and given clinics at conferences, institutes, and workshops throughout the world. She is a Registered Teacher Trainer for SAA and has served on its board of directors. She has published materials, Solos for Young Violinists and Scales For Advanced Violinists (Warner Brothers Publications), and the CD, Care To Tango? with Brian Lewis and Michael McLean (Oak Cliff Publishing).

Judy Weigert Bossuat, California _ Judy is a graduate of New York State University, Potsdam; Crane School of Music and TEI in Matsumoto, Japan. She has taught, conducted and trained teachers for 25 years, 16 of them at the "Ecole de Musique Suzuki" de Lyon, France. Since 1994, Ms. Bossuat has taught in Stockton, CA, and was awarded the distinguished "Eminence Credential" there. She now teaches at the Pacific School. She teaches conferences throughout North America and Europe. She has published two books, "Left Hand Technique" and Learning to Sight Read for the Violin."

Linda Case, New York _ Linda has been concertmaster of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra in Ithica, New York for the last 16 years. She maintains a private studio and is an active recitalist, chamber musician and orchestra soloist. She was Professor of Violin at Ithica College from 1983-1996 and a Suzuki Violin Teacher Trainer. Linda is also certified in Brain Gym, has extensive training in yoga, Feldenkrais and cranio-sacral therapy.

Barrie Cooper, Maryland _ Barrie is a 1997 graduate of the Peabody Conservatory where she studied with Shirley Givens. She has been a student of John Kendall for 13 years, and continues to study with him. Barrie earned the Josef Kaspar prize in violin, awarded for outstanding achievements at Peabody. She was also the 1996 Marbury Violin Competition winner.

Timothy Durbin, New York _ Terry currently teaches in New York and Princeton, New Jersey. He was an instructor at Transylvania University, in Kentucky. He is a violinist, composer, and director. He does over 30 workshops and recitals each year throughout the United States and Canada. He received his Bachelors of Music from the University of Alabama and his Masters in Music from the University of Illinois. He also plays a great yo-yo.

Amy Gesmer-Packman, Colorado _ Amy holds a BM degree from the University of Tennessee and a Masters in Music Performance & Pedagogy from the University of Colorado. Prior to founding Boulder Suzuki Strings in 1982, she taught for two years with Suzuki specialist Mary Cay Neal in New York. During the summer of 1982 she studied with Dr. Suzuki, and has studied extensively since 1976 with Professor William Starr.

Jeanne Grover, Utah _ Jeanne is an SAA teacher trainer. She studied with Carl Grissen in Oakland then began her Suzuki training in 1973 with Phyllis Glass at USC. She received further training in Matsumoto, Japan and has attended many workshops with John Kendall, William Starr and Doris Preucil. Jeanne graduated from BYU.

Helen Higa, Hawaii _ Helen was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She received her training from Dr. Suzuki at TEI in Matsumoto, Japan, William Starr at the University the University of Tennessee, the Louise Behrend School for strings, NY and at the American Center for the Alexander Technique. She is now working in Hawaii with Hiroko Primrose and is a member of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.

Melanie Hogan, Utah _ Melanie is a Suzuki Graduate in violin and piano. Melanie has received awards in the Arlette Day, Utah State University, Baldwin and BYU Ensemble Competitions. She has performed with Nelita True, recording artists Stecher and Horowitz, Haruko Katoaka and Faina Lushtek from the conservatory of Music in Moscow. Melanie has trained with Ellie Albers, Linda Case, Ronda Cole and Katie Lansdale. She is currently president of SAU and teaches 60 students in a private studio.

Joseph Kaminsky, Missouri _ Joseph received his MM Degree in violin performance with an emphasis in Suzuki Pedagogy from Southern Illinois University where he studied with John Kendall. He also spent extensive time working with internationally renowned violinists Roland and Almita Vamos. In summer 1984 Mr. Kaminsky went to Japan to work with Dr. Suzuki. Joseph Kaminsky's students have won numerous competitions and performed with the Chicago Youth Symphony and other orchestras. Currently he is on the adjunct college music faculty of Maryville College, and is founder of the Kirkwood Academy of Music. Mr. Kaminsky also performs with the Kammerguild Chamber Orchestra, Landolphi String Quarter, and the Victorian String Quartet.

Susan Kempter, New Mexico _ Susan founded programs at the College of Santa Fe and the Albuquerque Suzuki School, where she implemented courses for pre-twinkle students and also a teacher development program. Graduating with distinction from the University of New Mexico, she is now in a graduate program combining Music Psychology, Cognition, Human Growth/Development as they apply to violin pedagogy.

John Kendall, Illinois _ Mr. Kendall was the first American string teacher to observe and study in Japan, the Talent Education teaching methods of Dr. Suzuki. During his four visits to Japan, he worked closely with Dr. Suzuki and other TEI teachers in 16 cities there. The graduate study program in string pedagogy at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, was established by Mr. Kendall and is known as one of the finest in the country. He is presently Professor Emeritus of string development at that university where he also served as conductor of the University Chamber Orchestra

Edward Kreitman, Illinois - Mr. Kreitman is the founder, director of the Western Springs School of Talent Education. He maintains a private studio and a long term training program at the school. He received his undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University, studying Suzuki pedagogy with Doris Preucil and Almita Vamos. In 1986, he studied at the Talent Education summer school in Matsumoto, Japan. He is an SAA Teacher Trainer, and has served on the SAA Board, violin committee, and 4^thand 5^th SAA Conferences.

Mark Landefelt, Texas _ Mr. Landefelt is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. Growing up as a student in the Suzuki method, he began studying the violin with his father, Paul Landefelt. Later he traveled to Japan and studied with Dr. Suzuki. He has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Mr. Landefelt composes under the name pen name Landson. Since 1994 he has taught violin, viola and chamber music at the Suzuki Institute of the Dallas TEC. He also composes and produces CD's.

Susan Levine, Colorado _ Susan is currently teaching with The Boulder Strings. She is a registered teacher trainer. Former positions include assistant director and teacher trainer at the Suzuki school of Newton, in Auburndale, MA and at the MacPhail Center for the arts in Minneapolis. Susan holds her BM from the Eastman School of Music and her MM from the U of Illinois. She performs with the Boulder Philharmonic and the Sinfonia of Colorado. She is also a Educational Kinesiologist and introduced Brain Gym to the Suzuki movement.

Allen Lieb, New York _ Allen was the Program Director for the 5^th SAA Conference and served as Coordinator of the 1994 Conference. He is a registered teacher trainer and studied several years with Dr. Suzuki. He holds a Masters of Music from Southern Illinois University. He teaches at the School for Strings in Manhatten and Thumauer School of Music in Tenafly, New Jersey.

Doralee Madsen, Utah _ Doralee graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Education. She has taught Suzuki Violin for 17 years, has an extensive studio, and is the mother of 10 children, many being Suzuki violinists. She serves on the National Federation of Music Teachers.

Eric Madsen, Canada _ Eric teaches Suzuki violin in Montreal, He completed his BM and Masters in Education at McGill University, He began teaching in 1975 with the Preville Fine Arts Centre and the McGill Conservatory of Music. After studies with Dr. Suzuki in 1985-86, he founded his own studio. Eric also conducts student and amateur orchestras and directs the Institute Suzuki Montreal.

Michael McLean, Texas _ Michael received his Bachelor in Music Performance from Northwestern University and is finishing his Masters in Music Theory there. He teaches at TCU as Adjunct Professor and teaches violin/theory in the TCU Suzuki Program. He is President of the North Texas Suzuki Association and has taught many workshops. His own extensive compositions are published by Oakcliff Publishing.

Carolyn Meyer, Wisconsin _ Carolyn experienced the student side of the Suzuki triangle as a child in John Kendall's program. After graduating from the University of Illinois she began the teacher side. She completed her Masters of Music at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, doing teacher training with Mr. Kendall. She now experiences the parent side of the triangle with her children. She currently runs a small Suzuki program and teaches viola at the University of Wisconsin.

Deborah Moench, Utah _ Deborah has taught violin with the Suzuki Method for 19 years and is past president of the Suzuki Association of Utah. She has a BA from Utah State University and a Masters in Education from WSU. Debbie loves teaching, devoting her time to her large Suzuki studio and the children in the community. Her advanced performing group, The Rocky Mountain Strings, which she co-directs with Ramona Stirling, was chosen to play at the 1998 SAA National Convention.

Shelley Rich, Oregon _ Shelley, a native Utahn, began her violin studies with Karen Child and Jack Ashton. She graduated from Eastman in violin performance where she began her Suzuki Teacher Training with Anastasia Jempelis. She later studied with Louise Scott and Karin Hallberg at Northern Arizona University earning her Masters in Performance and Pedagogy.

Robert Richardson, Canada _ Robert is the Director of Suzuki programs at the Eckhardt-Granatte Conservatory of Music at Brandon University, where he also directs the String Orchestra and Chamber Music Programs. Mr. Richardson holds a Bachelor of Music from Brandon. He has been a member of the faculty of Calgary Talent Education Society, Alberta and at the Hartt School of Music Suzuki Program, Connecticut. He also enjoys being a guest clinician and adjudicator at workshops and music festivals.

Margaret Shimizu, California _ Margaret is a violin instructor and string orchestra conductor at the RD Colburn School of Performing Arts in L.A. Margaret received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Southern California and her Masters in Violin Performance, with an emphasis in Suzuki Violin Pedagogy, at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. She has studied extensively with Alice Schoenfeld and John Kendall.

Edward Sprunger, Michigan - Edward teaches a full studio in Ann Arbor, MI in addition to serving as a clinician at Suzuki Institutes and workshops in the U.S. and abroad. A graduated of Goshen College, where he studied violin and piano pedagogy, he has also been a student of Dr. Suzuki at TEI in Japan. Mr. Sprunger is also a psychotherapist, holding a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan.

James Stern, California _ See Guest Artists Page

Scott Tanner, Utah _ Scott began violin in Ft. Worth Texas at the age of 4. He grew up in California and Utah. In 1996 he earned a BA in Music Ed from Weber State University. In December of 1998 he completed his MA in Violin Performance with emphasis in Suzuki teaching at Western Illinois University. He has taught privately for 6 years and was a graduate assistant at W.I.U. He is now operates a Suzuki Studio in Cedar City.

Craig Timmerman, Kentucky _ Craig began teaching the Suzuki Method in college after attending a seminar given by Dr. Suzuki, which took much ingenuity with no information in English at the time. After teaching in Mankato for 10 years he studied for a year in Matsumoto, Japan. Craig has been teaching in Lexington, KY since 1977. He has taught in workshops all over the U.S. Canada, France and England. He also taught at the ISA Conference in Matsumoto Japan in 1987 and in Dublin Ireland in 1995.

Beth Titterington, Kansas _ Beth is currently an SAA Teacher Trainer, having taught and lectured across the US, Canada and England. She has studied with Dr. Suzuki, Yuko Mori, Christophe Bossuat, Judy Weigert Bossuat, Alice Joy Lewis, and Eleanor Allen. Ms. Tittering holds a Masters degree from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri Kansas City, and has done post-graduate work in baroque violin at the Oberlin Conservatory and in London.

Thomas Wermuth, Illinois _ Thomas is currently on the faculty of Western Springs School of Talent Education and directs the Chicago Consort. As a guest clinician and SAA Teacher Trainer, he has traveled to Israel, Australia and Sweden to give workshops and master classes. He studied violin with Ivan Galamian, Dorothy DeLay and Toshiva Eto, and viola with Paul Doktor, Felix Galamir and Samuel Rhodes. He has played in the Louisville Orchestra, Aspen Festival Orchestras, Spoleto Festival, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and the Canadian Chamber Ensemble.

Previous Page Next Page Table of Contents Home Page