ANDREA CANNON

Guitar, TX

Andrea is an alumna Boston’s Berklee College of Music with a major in Jazz Performance as well as an Outstanding Alumni Service award. Post-Collegiate studies include extensive Applied Performance in Classical Guitar with Robert Guthrie of Southern Methodist University and Suzuki Method pedagogy courses in both guitar and Early Childhood Education.

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Andrea’s Guitar Arts Studio in Houston, Texas includes training in Theory and Performance skills for guitarists as well as the first Suzuki Early Childhood Music program established in the US. She serves as a consultant to the Spring School District Music Department and directs Applied Guitar studies at Lone Star College. She is Certified through Music Teacher’s National Association and is a Registered Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

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Andrea is humbled and proud that arts advocacy group ‘Alarte’ of Guatemala City, Guatemala has created a Scholarship in her name. The first recipient of the ‘Beca Andrea Cannon’ is enjoying the benefits of a new guitar as well as expert Suzuki instruction; and she also has a beautiful smile.

RYAN CAPARELLA

Violin & Viola, IL

Ryan Caparella serves on the violin and viola faculty of the Western Springs School of Talent Education and Naperville Suzuki School where he maintains a studio of students ages 3-18, leads the Viola Choir and co-directs the Summer Chamber Music Camp.  Prior to moving to Chicago, Ryan taught for the Elizabeth Faidley Studio in New York. 

Ryan holds Masters and Bachelors degrees in Violin Performance from the Hartt School of Music and University of Miami respectively, and has pursued extensive study in violin & viola pedagogy. Ryan completed his Long Term Training in Suzuki Pedagogy with Teri Einfeldt and has pursued additional pedagogy study with Edward Kreitman, Elizabeth Faidley, Thomas Wermuth, and Doris Preucil.  In 2013, Ryan was invited to present at the American String Teachers’ Association National Conference. In 2017, Ryan was a recipient of the Suzuki Association of America's Certificate of Achievement, a designation recognizing teachers with a commitment to life‐long learning and self‐improvement.

DEREK DEAKINS

Violin & Improvisation, SC

Derek Deakins is a fiddler, violinist, guitarist, and orchestra conductor originally from Kingsport, Tennessee. Derek's musical journey began with Suzuki violin lessons at the age of five and has taken him all around the world as a professional musician.  Derek has performed in several foreign countries and all of the 48 contiguous United States in venues ranging from Madison Square Garden to the Grand Ole Opry.      

Derek graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education and holds a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.  While living in Nashville, Derek performed with major recording artists such as The Osborne Brothers, James Monroe, Mac Wiseman, Charlie Daniels, Craig Morgan, Tracy Byrd, Andy Griggs, Neil McCoy, and Blake Shelton. His television appearances include Grand Ole Opry Live, Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show, The Jimmy Kimmell Show, and Late Night with Craig Ferguson.  Derek has recorded and produced four professional albums, titled "If I Could Give the World," "The Fiddle, Bluegrass, and Me," "Double Fiddle Time," and "Where We Belong," as part of the Gravel Road Acoustic Trio.  

Derek has enjoyed working as Director of Orchestras at Wando High School in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina.  He also pioneered the guitar program and Advanced Placement Music Theory program. Derek has been named a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award and has co-authored a music book called Fiddlin' Favorites Volume 2 for violin students.

 When Derek is not teaching, you might find him playing guitar and singing as part of Gravel Road Acoustic Trio.  He also enjoys performing with various other bluegrass and country groups throughout the southeast including Pinecastle recording artists, Merle Monroe.  Additionally, Derek is honored to be a musician and conductor on staff at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

LISA DEAKINS

Violin & Fiddling, SC

Lisa Deakins is a violinist, fiddler, and Suzuki violin teacher in Charleston, South Carolina. Her music has taken her to renowned stages including the Grand Ole Opry, the Crook & Chase television show, and Song of the Mountains. Lisa’s students study classical playing as well as various fiddle styles. She has arranged a series of music books for Suzuki violinists called “Fiddlin’ Favorites,” licensed by the International Suzuki Association.

FABIO DOS SANTOS

Violin, Brazil

Fabio dos Santos holds a Master in Music at Unicamp in 2006 and has a BA in violin from the same university. He has worked as a registered Suzuki violin teacher since 2001. Since 2003, he has participated in the organization “Spring Retreat” in Campinas, a mini-institute for stringed instruments. He has been invited to teach in several festivals, including “Festival de Francisco Beltrão”, “Festival de Londrina” and “Brasília Autumn Retreat” and was also awarded the Medal of Culture Carlos Gomes (Campinas-SP). He participated in the organization of the 1st and 2nd “Encuentro de Alumnos Suzuki de America Latina”, held in Lima, Peru. He participated in many recording projects, including the CDs “Tempo da Delicadeza” (SESC -SP), “Para Cordas Brasileiras” (FICC -Campinas) and “Mysteries and Manners: the improvisations of Vinicius Dorin and Nene” (University of Iowa, USA) and “Tem Carrêgo” by the group CARCOARCO. Fabio is active as a popular and classical musician; as a Suzuki Teacher at the Suzuki Center of Campinas and the Suzuki Education Centre in São Paulo; as a member of the group CARCOARCO, which researches Brazilian fiddles, and CAFE TANGO, a quintet dedicated to the interpretation of A. Piazzolla’s original arrangements. Fabio has enjoyed three months assisting at the Western Spring School of Talent Education, as an intern under the supervision of Edward Kreitman. He is a founding member of the Associação Musical Suzuki de São Paulo

TERI EINFELDT

Violin, CT

Teri Einfeldt is the Chair of the Suzuki Department at The Hartt School Community Division of the University of Hartford, where she maintains a studio of students from ages 4 to 18. In her role as adjunct professor at The Hartt School, she instructs Master of Music candidates in Suzuki pedagogy. In an effort to provide year-round opportunities in the greater Hartford area, Ms. Einfeldt founded the Hartt Suzuki Institute in 1988. A Suzuki Association of the Americas registered teacher trainer, Ms. Einfeldt is a frequent clinician at workshops and Suzuki Institutes through the United States and Canada. In July 2011, Teri ended her position as chair of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She continues to be an active member of the organization, particularly in her roles as chair of the Teacher Development Committee and the Suzuki Principles in Action (SPA) Committee. 

TARRA GUERRA

Guitar, FL

New Zealand born, North Carolina raised Tarra Guerra teaches Suzuki violin and guitar, with a long-time studio in the greater Fort Lauderdale area. She is Adjunct Professor of Guitar (violin at need) at Nova Southeastern University. Tarra gained her Master of Music in classical guitar performance at Florida Atlantic University, with strong minors in violin and composition. 

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Active on the board of the Suzuki Association of South Florida, and an enthsiastic musician, Tarra performs extensively and teaches several styles in addition to classical music. 

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Tarra has completed extensive Suzuki training through the SAA, as well as a great deal of teacher training from various other disciplines. Her newest skill for the COVID quarantine is video editing. Links to several videos are available on request: The Suzuki Jamboree (bluegrass), Virtual Violin and Classical Guitar Concerts, and Origins. 

EDWARD KREITMAN

Violin, IL

Edward Kreitman is the founder and Director of the Western Springs School of Talent Education and the Naperville Suzuki School. Mr. Kreitman received his undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University where he studied Suzuki Pedagogy with Doris Preucil and Almita Vamos. In 1986, he studied at the Talent Education Summer School with Dr. Suzuki in Matsumoto, Japan. 

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Mr. Kreitman has served the Suzuki Teacher's Association in many capacities, including a member of the Board of Directors, Violin Committee, Teacher Development team and as Coordinator for several National Suzuki Teacher Conferences. Recently he served on the SAA team which developed the Every Child Can! introductory course. Edward Kreitman enjoys an international reputation as a guest clinician at Suzuki institutes and workshops. Mr. Kreitman is a registered Teacher Trainer of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and is the author of Teaching from the Balance Point: A Guide for Suzuki Parents, Teachers, and Students and Teaching with an Open Heart: A Guide for Developing Conscious Musicianship. In 2008, Mr. Kreitman was honored with the Suzuki Chair Award at the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. 

WAYNE KRIGGER

Cello & Music and Movement, KY

Bio coming soon!

KIRSTEN MARSHALL

Violin, NY

Kirsten Marshall, director of orchestral programs and violin instructor, is on the faculty at Ithaca Talent Education and lecturer in violin performance at Ithaca College. Ms. Marshall is an active violinist in the Ithaca area and holds the David and Lesli Sagan Chair of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Ithaca’s professional ensemble. She is frequently sought after as a string clinician at Suzuki institutes and workshops across the United States. Ms. Marshall is a registered SAA violin teacher trainer. Her high-energy style blends humor and passion, engaging players at the highest level for riveting performances.

CHRISTY PAXTON

Violin, AR

Christy Paxton is the Director of the NWA Suzuki School of Music in Bentonville, Arkansas, and has been a Suzuki teacher for the last 25 years in Missouri and Arkansas. She has completed extensive teacher training, and now leads the Suzuki School with inspired vision, influenced by many great Suzuki teachers. The school has grown to serve over 100 students in violin, cello, and classical guitar. Christy is committed to teaching excellence through lifelong learning, and is an advocate for the Suzuki Method. She founded the Ozark Suzuki Institute in 2016.

DR. SHU-YI SCOTT

Parent Education, TX

Shu-Yi Scott, originally from Taipei, Taiwan, has given master classes, seminars and performances in the States, Taipei, Shanghai, Mexico, and Europe. She is a group class technique fellow and has been involved in developing GCT training with Cary Beth Hockett. Dr. Shu-Yi Scott was awarded the Certificate of Achievement through the Suzuki Association of the Americas in 2015 and Suzuki cello teacher trainer in 2019. Dr. Scott holds a MM in cello performance from Penn State under Dr. Kim Cook and DMA in cello performance from the University of Texas at Austin under renowned pedagogue Ms. Phyllis Young. 

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Teaching beginning students from the age of 3 to advanced high school cellists, her expertise and patience excels students from all musical backgrounds. She uses her knowledge of child development to creatively target the needs of her students, keeping them motivated and growing. Her private lessons, group class offerings, and parent education nights help foster a community of lifelong musicians. 

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Her hobbies include gardening, sourdough baking, learning Japanese and French, and world travel. She lives in Austin, Texas with her bass player husband and she homeschools her daughers Euna and Lydie, both of whom play the cello. 

ZACHARY SWEET

Cello, NY

Zachary Sweet is a registered Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. He is currently an instructor of cello at Nazareth College, Binghamton and Colgate Universities, and on the faculties of Ithaca Talent Education and Music Together of Ithaca. Nationally, he is respected as a clinician having led workshops, masterclasses, and institutes in Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia. 

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Zachary performs extensively throughout the Tri-State area as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. Currently, Zachary is principal of Colgate University Orchestra and Tri Cities Opera, and performs regularly with the Society for New Music and mezzo-soprano, Ivy Waltz. In October 2019, he presented the inaugural "small bites" recital for the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra. 

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He completed a masters degree in performance and literature at the Eastman School of Music in 2006; in that time he was also a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival. During his studies at Eastman, he became a member of the Eastman Chamber Society, acted as principal of Eastman Philharmonia, Eastman Chamber Orchestra, and Eastman Opera Orchestra, and studied chamber music with the Ying Quartet, Elinore Freer, Dr. Jean Barr, Richard Kilmer, and Dr. Kenneth Grant. His principal instructors have been Alan Harris, Kathy Kemp, and Carol Vizzini. 

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As an educator, Zachary has spent the past 13 years exploring music development in young children. In 2009, he completed a long-term training program in Talent Education at the School for Strings with Pamela Devenport. Since then he has continued training with Tanya Carey, Carey Cheney, Sally Gross, Carey Beth Hockett, and Rick Mooney.

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In addition, Zachary is in demand as a Music Together Instructor, leading classes for Mixed Ages, Babies, Big Kids, and Pre-Schools. In January 2015, Zachary was awarded Music Together Certification Level II status, having demonstrated outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education. The award was granted by the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, NJ, Kenneth K. Guilmartin, Founder/Director. 

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Zachary plays the 2001 "Willow Cello" by Jim McKean and a 1999 bow by Ron Forrester.

BRUCE WALKER

Cello, WA

Bruce Walker is an Associate Professor of Music at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA, Music Director for the Yakima Youth Symphony in Yakima, WA, President of the Washington state chapter of the American String Teachers Association, and on the Board of Directors for the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Duties at CBC include teaching second-year music theory and aural skills, music appreciation, and conducting the Columbia Basin College Orchestra. During the summer months, Mr. Walker works for many workshops, festivals, and institutes throughout the Northwest including the Walla Walla Suzuki Institute, Montana Suzuki Institute, Pipestone Summer Music Camp, Boise’s All-Thing-Cello Camp, and the Music, Meadows, and Mountains Retreat. Previously, he has worked as a faculty member with the Youth Excellence on Stage Academy in collaboration with American Voices, a US non-government, non-profit, cultural exchange organization. Through this organization, he has conducted, traveled, and taught cello in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.

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As a conductor, Mr. Walker has participated in some of the finest conducting workshops and music festivals across the United States such as the Marrowstone Music Festival, Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Orchestral Musicians, various workshops sponsored by the Conductor’s Guild, Astoria Music Festival, Rose City International Conductor’s Workshop, and the University of Oregon Orchestral Conducting Institute. He has appeared as guest conductor with the Central Washington University Symphony, Oregon East Symphony, Yakima Symphony, Portland Columbia Symphony, and the Musicians of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. Memorable for his unique style of positive student engagement, analogies, and his knowledge of the orchestral repertoire, Mr. Walker is also in high demand as an adjudicator and guest conductor for many All-State and Honors Orchestras throughout the United States, most recently conducting the 2020 Arkansas All-State Chamber Orchestra.

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As a cellist, Mr. Walker remains very active as a traditional and Suzuki cello teacher, solo performer, and orchestral cellist. He has appeared as soloist with the Marrowstone Music Festival Orchestra, the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra, and most recently with the Oregon East Symphony performing Luigi Boccherini (arr. Grutzmacher)—Cello Concerto No. 9 in B flat. He has also held principal cello positions with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Orchestra, Marrowstone Music Festival Orchestra, Central Washington University Symphony, Wenatchee Valley Symphony, and the Pierre Monteux School Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Mr. Walker won numerous competitions with Trio Giocoso and the DeKalb and Byron String Quartets. Currently, he is an on-call cellist to the Oregon East Symphony (Pendelton, Oregon), Walla Walla Symphony (Walla Walla, Washington), Mid-Columbia Symphony (Richland, Washington) and Yakima Symphony (Yakima, Washington).

Mr. Walker earned Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Cello Performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Master of Music degree from Central Washington University focusing on Orchestral Conducting and Cello Performance. In the fall of 2019, he began his Doctorate of Music Arts degree in Music Education through Boston University. His primary teachers have been Kangho Lee and John Michel (cello), Dr. Jeffery Meyer, Michael Jinbo, Dr. Nikolas Caoile, Kenneth Woods, and Lawrence Golan (conducting), and Dr. Beth Cantrell, Priscilla Jones, Dr. Andrea Yun, and the late H. Glenda Piek (Suzuki cello).

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When not in the classroom, on the podium working with ensembles, or teaching cello lessons, he enjoys hiking and traveling around the Pacific Northwest, enjoying time outside around a BBQ pit and smoker sampling new culinary creations, or shopping for and admiring argyle socks.

RACHAEL FISCHER

Director

Bio coming soon.