It doesn't seem so long ago as I recall the first time I wanted to play the violin. I was three years old when I saw a program on channel 11 about the Suzuki Method. I told my mom "that's what I want to do". She really didn't believe me, but four years later signed me up for Suzuki Violin Lessons when it was offered at my school.

I really liked it and did well, but did not have the best teacher. When I was ten I told my teacher that I wanted to play violin as a career. She said that I couldn't and that only child prodigies could play violin professionally.

Looking back as an adult and certified Suzuki teacher, I now know she was not truly a Suzuki teacher (love, nurturing, and encouraging). She used the Suzuki Book in name only and was not Suzuki Certified. This is a common occurrence in America. In Europe you legally cannot teach the Suzuki Method unless you have gone through the Suzuki Certification program.

When I was in high school I found a great violin teacher, Fox Fehling, who plays in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She was a kind and introspective teacher who taught me a deeper understanding of the music as well as the technique. I also added piano lessons at this time, which complimented my violin studies and increased my musicianship.

I auditioned and received a scholarship to De Paul University School of Music. I had an excellent, but very strict Russian violin teacher, Mark Zinger, who could make all of the students cry (even the boys!). The "Russian" way to teach is to be strict and mean to toughen you up for the "real world". I do not subscribe to that philosophy.

My teaching style is structured in a way to help the student achieve 100% success for each step. This is a "painless" way to learn; building confidence and the desire to learn more. These are the skills needed to face the "real world". You can see the student's confidence at the recitals. There has never been any tears shed, only smiling faces!

I earned both my Bachelor's and Master's degree in Violin Performance from De Paul University. After college I played professionally for many years with orchestras in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri. I have played quartet, chamber music, opera, musicals, ballet and so many Nutcrackers that I can still hear them in my sleep!

The beginning of my teaching career took off after I attended the Suzuki Institute at Stevens Point Wisconsin. I took multiple Teacher-Training classes during the summer to learn Dr. Suzuki's philosophy and how to teach the Suzuki Method. On top of that, I had to study child development literature to see what children are capable of at different ages. The Suzuki Method puts emphasis on understanding how the child thinks-feels-communicates and to encourage character development as well.

It is almost a religious experience to be surrounded by a couple of hundred tiny violinists for a week ! The love and support shared between the parents, students and teachers just makes the children want to learn even more and for me to teach them! I have gone back several times with many of my students and their families just to observe lessons and refuel my Suzuki teaching batteries.

The Suzuki Institute at Stevens Point Wisconsin is the main headquarters for the Suzuki Method in the United States (The Suzuki Association of the Americas). Teachers from all over the country and the world attend the summer sessions to share ideas and techniques. I was very fortunate to have Margery Abers as a Teacher-Trainer for two of my certifications. Margery Aber was Dr. Suzuki's personal friend who helped bring the Suzuki Method to this country.

I no longer play symphony orchestra professionally but enjoy passing on my many years of playing experience to my students. My goal is to develop well rounded, confident musicians who know what they are doing, love what they are doing, and have fun doing it !

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