SDSI Administration and Faculty
AdministrationDanielle Kravitz | Director, Viola, Violin, Early Childhood
Marguerite Jayasimha | Assistant Director, Violin, Early Childhood, Kodaly Jonathan Smith | Assistant Director, Violin Linda Smith | Piano Program Manager, Piano Emily Balderrama | Recital Coordinator, Cello Patricia Gomez | Operations Manager Sylvia Kravitz | Administrative Assistant |
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Faculty
Danielle Kravitz | Director, Viola, Violin, Early Childhood
Danielle started playing Suzuki violin at the age of four. She began playing viola at age twelve. She attended the University of Evansville as a music scholar where she studied music therapy. Her former teachers include Rebecca Campbell, Carol Dallinger, and Chi-Yuan Chen. She has played in a number of orchestras, including the La Jolla Symphony. Her past professional writing work includes publications for the Suzuki Music Association of California - San Diego Branch quarterly newsletter, Strings Magazine, and over a dozen published manuals. She successfully runs several blogs including her Suzuki education blog, Rethinking Genius. Danielle is the Director of San Diego Suzuki Institute at Point Loma Nazarene University. The non-profit institute was founded in 2017. She is a faculty member with the San Diego Suzuki School of Music and has been teaching full time since 2008. Her students have won string competition awards and earn top positions in youth symphonies.
Marguerite Jayasimha | Assistant Director, Violin, Early Childhood, Kodaly
Marguerite began her training as a violinist at age five, developing a lifelong love of music. She is a trained Suzuki Early Childhood Education Teacher and Suzuki Violin Teacher, having completed training in Units 1-10. She also has training and experience in Kodaly, Music Mind Games, Creative Ability Development, and enjoys teaching alternative styles and improvisation. She holds an Engineering degree and loves applying science and engineering to Suzuki teaching, from developing bow holds to parent education. Marguerite has performed with the La Jolla Symphony, Redwood Symphony, numerous string quartets and served as asst. conductor of the International Women’s Choir of Singapore. She has served on many Suzuki and cultural performing arts boards. Marguerite loves Indian classical music and plays fusion with her husband, an accomplished Tabla player. She is happy to be back in San Diego at the San Diego Suzuki School of Music, which she co-founded in 2005. She is a former director of the Advanced Suzuki Institute at Stanford and is a current asst. director of the San Diego Suzuki Institute. In addition to teaching at Suzuki Institutes and Workshops, Ms. Jayasimha also enjoys directing middle school orchestra in her local school district.
Dr. Alice Ann O'Neill | Cello
Dr. Alice Ann M. O’Neill, professional cellist and teacher, attended Boston University to study cello performance, and subsequently obtained a master’s degree in cello performance and Suzuki pedagogy from Western Illinois University, and a doctorate from The Ohio State University, in cello performance and string pedagogy. She has performed in professional orchestras and chamber ensembles, and as a solo cellist throughout Europe, Canada, and the U.S. Dr. O’Neill has extensive teaching experience and specializes in the Suzuki method as a cello teacher trainer. She has taught many clinics and workshops concerning many aspects of pedagogy and presented at state and international education conferences. Her research articles have been published in The Journal of Research in Music Education, the American Suzuki Journal, and the Vincentian Heritage Journal. Her cello students have appeared on NPR’s “From the Top,” and won top prizes at the St. Paul’s String Quartet and Fischoff chamber music competitions. Several cello students of Dr. O’Neill have continued their studies at schools such as Rice University-Shepherd School of Music, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, Catholic University of America, Aspen Music Festival, Meadowmount School of Music, Indiana University, Harvard University, and the Juilliard School in New York City. Currently, Dr. O’Neill is professor of cello, teaches chamber music and string pedagogy, and supervises new teachers at Mount St. Joseph University and directs the Mount St. Joseph Talent Education program in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a Catholic nun and member of the Sisters of Charity.
Daina Volodka Staggs | Violin
Daina Volodka Staggs has been involved with Suzuki Talent Education for over thirty years, as a student and teacher, and now as a parent. Daina’s musical journey began at a young age through violin studies with Suzuki author and pedagogue Edward Kreitman at the Western Springs School of Talent Education. Mrs. Staggs’ interest in teaching began during her high school years, during which time she acted as student tutor at WSSTE, offering practice help to parents of excelling students. Mrs. Staggs has taught at many Suzuki Institutes, workshops, and master classes. She has also lectured on important topics regarding violin pedagogy, early childhood music education, and the Suzuki Method. In the fall of 2014, Mrs. Staggs left Chicago and moved to Frisco, TX, to become the Co-Director of the North Texas School of Talent Education. Her studio is located in Frisco, TX, where she resides with her husband and two young sons.
Vickie Pautz | Piano
Vickie Pautz has been involved with the Suzuki method for more than 30 years: first as a parent with her daughters, then as a teacher, and now as a teacher trainer. Upon graduating with a music education degree with a piano emphasis from Southwest Texas State University , she taught elementary classroom music and had a small piano studio for several years. Her introduction to the Suzuki Method was through her oldest daughter’s Suzuki violin teacher. After seeing the remarkable learning process and witnessing first hand the joys and challenges of Suzuki parenting, she began long term teacher training with Dr.Doris Harrel in 1986, completing it in 2003. She took the practicum with Caroline Fraser in 2013 and has been influenced by Caroline’s ideas for teaching reading naturally. In 2004 she completed a master’s degree in piano performance with Dr. Timothy Woolsey at Texas State University. Active as an accompanist, choral director, pianist, and Suzuki teacher in Blanco, Texas in the Texas Hill Country, she is a founding member of both the Heart of Texas Suzuki Organization and Blanco Performing Arts, a chamber music series. She has taught at both the Heart of Texas Suzuki Organization Piano Workshop and the Houston Area Suzuki Piano Workshop for many years. Her students have performed solos with area, youth, and workshop orchestras and enjoy playing chamber music. She maintains a large, active home studio.
Megan Shung | Violin
Megan graduated with a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music with academic honors, studying under David Updegraff, and also received her long-term Suzuki training with Kimberly Meier-Sims. Upon graduation, she continued her studies with Paul Kantor in Houston, TX. Past mentors include Richard Schwabe and Henry Gronnier at the Colburn School of Performing Arts. Megan’s honors include the Dr. Jerome D. Gross Prize in Violin from the Cleveland Institute of Music and the International House of Blues Foundation Ambassador Scholarship. As an educator, Megan’s primary mission is to create for her students a strong technical foundation with roots in various styles and ideologies. Her hope is to cultivate not only solid performers but also empowered and informed listeners to encourage creativity and experimentation beyond the boundaries of ordinary musicianship.
Dr. Renata Bratt | Cello
Cellist Renata Bratt's arrangements and books are published by Mel Bay, Alfred and Strings. She is Kuumbwa Jazz Artist in Residence and teaches cello and beginning string orchestra in Santa Cruz, California. She tours with New Almaden Trio (jazz), Cindy Lee Berryhill (rock) and Reel of 7 (Celtic). She has taught classical styles, jazz improvisation and fiddling at national string workshops including Alasdair Fraser's camps, Mark O'Connor's String Conference, National Cello Institute, Wintergrass, Mandolin Symposium, ASTA, MENC and Suzuki institutes. Renata has played back-up with luminaries such as Darol Anger, Liz Carroll, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Lyle Lovett, and Dionne Warwick. Rolling Stone dubbed her an "ace performer" for her work with alternative rocker Cindy Lee Berryhill's Garage Orchestra. She received her Ph.D. in Music from UCSD and is a former president of the Suzuki Music Association of California. Her CDs, "Pacific Cello," "A Slice of Summer," "Great Big Taters" and "Jazz Trio 2006" are available through CD Baby.
Emily Balderrama | Recital Coordinator, Cello
Emily has been teaching privately for 10 years and began her Suzuki training in 2016. She was drawn to the method with the belief that every child can and that through music studies children can grow immensely. She has completed Suzuki cello training in books 1-7 with Dr. Alice Ann O'Neill, Abbey Hansen and Jean Dexter. Emily is dedicated to continued education and a strong believer in lifelong learning. She is currently finishing up her Master’s of Music at CSU Fullerton in cello performance under the tutelage of Bongshin Ko. Besides Suzuki training, Emily has taken training in the Dalcroze Method and Music Mind Games.
Dr. Sarah Dudas | Violin
Dr. Sarah Dudas maintains a private violin studio in Redlands, CA and is an instructor with the Loma Linda Academy Strings Program. She also serves on the faculty of Junior Chamber Music in Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Suzuki Institute. Previously she maintained her own private studio in Baltimore while serving as a substitute instructor at Peabody Preparatory at John Hopkins University. In addition to teaching, Dr. Dudas maintains an active performing career, currently subbing with the Redlands and San Bernardino symphonies and formerly the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony. Her primary teachers include Jan Sloman, James Buswell, Hagai Shaham, and Kathleen Winkler. She earned her Bachelors degree from Southern Methodist University and graduate degrees from New England Conservatory (MM) and the University of Southern California (DMA). She received her Suzuki Pedagogy training under Nancy Lokken, Charles Krigbaum, Rolando Freitag, Ed Sprunger, Sarah Montzka, and Cathryn Lee.
Amanda Limon | Piano
Amanda began her piano training at age 5 with concert pianist Farizat Tchiviroba in Tijuana, Baja California and later continued her studies
with acclaimed teacher Zarema Tchiviroba of the Conservatory of Baja California Orchestra. Along the way she twice earned first prize for her Bienal Estatal de Piano performances in Mexicali, Baja California. Later she worked with Dr. Karen Follingstad to study her Bachelor of Piano Performance from SDSU where she also studied sociology. Active as a recitalist, chamber member, and teacher in Chula Vista, she has also studied the Alexander Technique with Alice Olsher and received her Suzuki Method training from Diana Galindo and has taken trainings for the early stages in piano technique for children with international pedagogue Irina Gorin. She has participated in Dalcroze workshops for music teachers given by International teacher Manuel Zazueta and currently teaches 40 students at her Chula Vista private, bilingual studio.
Linda Piatt | Viola, Violin
Mrs. Piatt’s musical journey began at an early age in a musical household, with formal lessons from age 5. She discovered the violin in fourth grade and pursued her passion for music at The University of Texas at Austin earning a Bachelor of Music. Her pedagogical training began upon meeting luminary pedagog Sally O’Reilly at the University of Minnesota where she earned her Master of Music,. Linda also discovered her affinity for viola and spent several years in the Doctoral program studying with renowned teachers and performers Korey Konkol and Thomas Turner. In the Twin Cities area, Mrs. Piatt was on faculty at the “Bravo!” Summer String Institute at University of Minnesota, and the St. Joseph School of Music. She is a Suzuki method registered teacher for both violin and viola, having registered all unit courses for both instruments along with an extensive array of enrichment courses ranging from ‘The Early Years’ to ‘Beyond Book 10.’ She is on the Board of Directors for the Suzuki Music Association of California and currently serves as the SMAC San Diego Branch President. An avid performer, Linda has taken the stage as a member of the Opera Pacific, and Orchestra Nova San Diego. Other highlights include performing with Pacific Symphony, American Ballet Theater, San Francisco Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet. Currently she performs frequently with the San Diego Symphony, where she has shared the stage with distinguished artists such as Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, Gil Shaham, Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma. She also performs regularly with the Hutchins Consort, Classics 4 Kids Philharmonic and the California Chamber Orchestra. Linda enjoys teaching her violin and viola students at her home studio in San Diego where she lives with her husband, son and daughter.
T. Elly Schmidt | Violin
Elly is an accomplished violinist and educator. She has a B.M. in Violin Performance, is a founding faculty member of the San Diego Suzuki School of Music, and along with many enrichment courses in violin technique, music theory (Music Mind Games) and child psychology has completed training in all ten units of Suzuki violin. Performing with various professional orchestras she has shared the stage with notable artists, such as Midori, Zubin Mehta, and Mannheim Steamroller. She has been Orchestra Director at Oak Park Music Conservatory, Beginning Strings Director at the Kadima Conservatory, and a clinician for southern California youth orchestras and Suzuki camps. Her students have earned top positions in youth symphonies and string competition awards. In addition to Elly's love for teaching, improvisation, and studies in child development and pedagogy, she continues to perform as a freelance artist throughout San Diego.
Jonathan Smith | Assistant Director, Violin
Jonathan began his musical studies at the age of 4 in Toledo, OH. He is a registered Suzuki violin teacher, has a B.M. from Otterbein University, and a Masters in Music from Bowling Green State University, where he studied with Vasile Beluska and Ioana Galu. Before joining the SD Suzuki School of Music in 2013, Jonathan enjoyed working with children in a wide range of ages in his private teaching studio, as well as with the Toledo Symphony Suzuki program. He has been working with orchestras in the Ohio and Michigan areas since 2007. He was the Principal 2nd violin in 2011 and the Co-Concertmaster in 2012-2013 of the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra. Jonathan is very excited to be in San Diego continuing his professional teaching and performing career.
Linda Smith | Piano Program Manager, Piano
Linda Smith has been teaching Suzuki Piano in Toledo, Oh. for 30 plus years. She has a Masters in piano performance from University of Toledo and B.S, in Music Ed. from Daemen College in Eggertsville, N.Y. Having raised four children in Suzuki piano and violin she is very aware of parent, child practicing issues. Mrs. Smith is presently an adjunct Piano Instructor at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale Michigan. She has taught piano classes at University of Toledo to music and non-music majors. Mrs. Smith has been a clinician for Blue Lake Suzuki Family Camp for over 20 years and is now Director of the Piano program for Session I of Blue Lake Suzuki Family Camp. She has been President of the Toledo Piano Teachers Association on two different terms, former program chairman of Toledo Piano Teachers Assoc. and a member of Ohio Music Teachers Assoc. and MTNA.
Elizabeth Mikhael | Cello
Cellist Elizabeth Mikhael is a versatile artist performing as a concert soloist, recitalist, orchestral and chamber musician throughout Europe and North America. Recipient of a generous fellowship from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, she moved to Berlin, Germany to study with former principal cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic, Wolfgang Boettcher. Following this intense period of studies, Ms. Mikhael served as principal cellist of Lorin Maazel’s Castleton Festival Orchestra, the Kurt Masur Seminar Orchestra and for the Elliott Carter Centenary Celebration at the Tanglewood Music Center’s Festival of Contemporary Music. Equally at home as both a performer and teacher, Ms. Mikhael holds degrees from the University of Southern California (B.M., B.A.), Universität der Künste Berlin (Konzertexamen) and from the Manhattan School of Music’s distinguished Orchestral Performance Program (M.M.). In collaboration with her education at USC, she completed pedagogical training at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, and through a generous Fellowship from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, she supplemented her performance studies with pedagogical courses at the UdK in Berlin, Germany. She completed her Suzuki Teacher Training at the School for Strings in New York City with Pamela Devenport and has studied Suzuki pedagogy with Allen Lieb, Carey Beth Hockett, Carey Cheney and Gilda Barston. Ms. Mikhael maintains a private studio in Washington. She serves as a board member for the Suzuki Association of Washington State.
Danielle started playing Suzuki violin at the age of four. She began playing viola at age twelve. She attended the University of Evansville as a music scholar where she studied music therapy. Her former teachers include Rebecca Campbell, Carol Dallinger, and Chi-Yuan Chen. She has played in a number of orchestras, including the La Jolla Symphony. Her past professional writing work includes publications for the Suzuki Music Association of California - San Diego Branch quarterly newsletter, Strings Magazine, and over a dozen published manuals. She successfully runs several blogs including her Suzuki education blog, Rethinking Genius. Danielle is the Director of San Diego Suzuki Institute at Point Loma Nazarene University. The non-profit institute was founded in 2017. She is a faculty member with the San Diego Suzuki School of Music and has been teaching full time since 2008. Her students have won string competition awards and earn top positions in youth symphonies.
Marguerite Jayasimha | Assistant Director, Violin, Early Childhood, Kodaly
Marguerite began her training as a violinist at age five, developing a lifelong love of music. She is a trained Suzuki Early Childhood Education Teacher and Suzuki Violin Teacher, having completed training in Units 1-10. She also has training and experience in Kodaly, Music Mind Games, Creative Ability Development, and enjoys teaching alternative styles and improvisation. She holds an Engineering degree and loves applying science and engineering to Suzuki teaching, from developing bow holds to parent education. Marguerite has performed with the La Jolla Symphony, Redwood Symphony, numerous string quartets and served as asst. conductor of the International Women’s Choir of Singapore. She has served on many Suzuki and cultural performing arts boards. Marguerite loves Indian classical music and plays fusion with her husband, an accomplished Tabla player. She is happy to be back in San Diego at the San Diego Suzuki School of Music, which she co-founded in 2005. She is a former director of the Advanced Suzuki Institute at Stanford and is a current asst. director of the San Diego Suzuki Institute. In addition to teaching at Suzuki Institutes and Workshops, Ms. Jayasimha also enjoys directing middle school orchestra in her local school district.
Dr. Alice Ann O'Neill | Cello
Dr. Alice Ann M. O’Neill, professional cellist and teacher, attended Boston University to study cello performance, and subsequently obtained a master’s degree in cello performance and Suzuki pedagogy from Western Illinois University, and a doctorate from The Ohio State University, in cello performance and string pedagogy. She has performed in professional orchestras and chamber ensembles, and as a solo cellist throughout Europe, Canada, and the U.S. Dr. O’Neill has extensive teaching experience and specializes in the Suzuki method as a cello teacher trainer. She has taught many clinics and workshops concerning many aspects of pedagogy and presented at state and international education conferences. Her research articles have been published in The Journal of Research in Music Education, the American Suzuki Journal, and the Vincentian Heritage Journal. Her cello students have appeared on NPR’s “From the Top,” and won top prizes at the St. Paul’s String Quartet and Fischoff chamber music competitions. Several cello students of Dr. O’Neill have continued their studies at schools such as Rice University-Shepherd School of Music, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, Catholic University of America, Aspen Music Festival, Meadowmount School of Music, Indiana University, Harvard University, and the Juilliard School in New York City. Currently, Dr. O’Neill is professor of cello, teaches chamber music and string pedagogy, and supervises new teachers at Mount St. Joseph University and directs the Mount St. Joseph Talent Education program in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a Catholic nun and member of the Sisters of Charity.
Daina Volodka Staggs | Violin
Daina Volodka Staggs has been involved with Suzuki Talent Education for over thirty years, as a student and teacher, and now as a parent. Daina’s musical journey began at a young age through violin studies with Suzuki author and pedagogue Edward Kreitman at the Western Springs School of Talent Education. Mrs. Staggs’ interest in teaching began during her high school years, during which time she acted as student tutor at WSSTE, offering practice help to parents of excelling students. Mrs. Staggs has taught at many Suzuki Institutes, workshops, and master classes. She has also lectured on important topics regarding violin pedagogy, early childhood music education, and the Suzuki Method. In the fall of 2014, Mrs. Staggs left Chicago and moved to Frisco, TX, to become the Co-Director of the North Texas School of Talent Education. Her studio is located in Frisco, TX, where she resides with her husband and two young sons.
Vickie Pautz | Piano
Vickie Pautz has been involved with the Suzuki method for more than 30 years: first as a parent with her daughters, then as a teacher, and now as a teacher trainer. Upon graduating with a music education degree with a piano emphasis from Southwest Texas State University , she taught elementary classroom music and had a small piano studio for several years. Her introduction to the Suzuki Method was through her oldest daughter’s Suzuki violin teacher. After seeing the remarkable learning process and witnessing first hand the joys and challenges of Suzuki parenting, she began long term teacher training with Dr.Doris Harrel in 1986, completing it in 2003. She took the practicum with Caroline Fraser in 2013 and has been influenced by Caroline’s ideas for teaching reading naturally. In 2004 she completed a master’s degree in piano performance with Dr. Timothy Woolsey at Texas State University. Active as an accompanist, choral director, pianist, and Suzuki teacher in Blanco, Texas in the Texas Hill Country, she is a founding member of both the Heart of Texas Suzuki Organization and Blanco Performing Arts, a chamber music series. She has taught at both the Heart of Texas Suzuki Organization Piano Workshop and the Houston Area Suzuki Piano Workshop for many years. Her students have performed solos with area, youth, and workshop orchestras and enjoy playing chamber music. She maintains a large, active home studio.
Megan Shung | Violin
Megan graduated with a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music with academic honors, studying under David Updegraff, and also received her long-term Suzuki training with Kimberly Meier-Sims. Upon graduation, she continued her studies with Paul Kantor in Houston, TX. Past mentors include Richard Schwabe and Henry Gronnier at the Colburn School of Performing Arts. Megan’s honors include the Dr. Jerome D. Gross Prize in Violin from the Cleveland Institute of Music and the International House of Blues Foundation Ambassador Scholarship. As an educator, Megan’s primary mission is to create for her students a strong technical foundation with roots in various styles and ideologies. Her hope is to cultivate not only solid performers but also empowered and informed listeners to encourage creativity and experimentation beyond the boundaries of ordinary musicianship.
Dr. Renata Bratt | Cello
Cellist Renata Bratt's arrangements and books are published by Mel Bay, Alfred and Strings. She is Kuumbwa Jazz Artist in Residence and teaches cello and beginning string orchestra in Santa Cruz, California. She tours with New Almaden Trio (jazz), Cindy Lee Berryhill (rock) and Reel of 7 (Celtic). She has taught classical styles, jazz improvisation and fiddling at national string workshops including Alasdair Fraser's camps, Mark O'Connor's String Conference, National Cello Institute, Wintergrass, Mandolin Symposium, ASTA, MENC and Suzuki institutes. Renata has played back-up with luminaries such as Darol Anger, Liz Carroll, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Lyle Lovett, and Dionne Warwick. Rolling Stone dubbed her an "ace performer" for her work with alternative rocker Cindy Lee Berryhill's Garage Orchestra. She received her Ph.D. in Music from UCSD and is a former president of the Suzuki Music Association of California. Her CDs, "Pacific Cello," "A Slice of Summer," "Great Big Taters" and "Jazz Trio 2006" are available through CD Baby.
Emily Balderrama | Recital Coordinator, Cello
Emily has been teaching privately for 10 years and began her Suzuki training in 2016. She was drawn to the method with the belief that every child can and that through music studies children can grow immensely. She has completed Suzuki cello training in books 1-7 with Dr. Alice Ann O'Neill, Abbey Hansen and Jean Dexter. Emily is dedicated to continued education and a strong believer in lifelong learning. She is currently finishing up her Master’s of Music at CSU Fullerton in cello performance under the tutelage of Bongshin Ko. Besides Suzuki training, Emily has taken training in the Dalcroze Method and Music Mind Games.
Dr. Sarah Dudas | Violin
Dr. Sarah Dudas maintains a private violin studio in Redlands, CA and is an instructor with the Loma Linda Academy Strings Program. She also serves on the faculty of Junior Chamber Music in Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Suzuki Institute. Previously she maintained her own private studio in Baltimore while serving as a substitute instructor at Peabody Preparatory at John Hopkins University. In addition to teaching, Dr. Dudas maintains an active performing career, currently subbing with the Redlands and San Bernardino symphonies and formerly the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony. Her primary teachers include Jan Sloman, James Buswell, Hagai Shaham, and Kathleen Winkler. She earned her Bachelors degree from Southern Methodist University and graduate degrees from New England Conservatory (MM) and the University of Southern California (DMA). She received her Suzuki Pedagogy training under Nancy Lokken, Charles Krigbaum, Rolando Freitag, Ed Sprunger, Sarah Montzka, and Cathryn Lee.
Amanda Limon | Piano
Amanda began her piano training at age 5 with concert pianist Farizat Tchiviroba in Tijuana, Baja California and later continued her studies
with acclaimed teacher Zarema Tchiviroba of the Conservatory of Baja California Orchestra. Along the way she twice earned first prize for her Bienal Estatal de Piano performances in Mexicali, Baja California. Later she worked with Dr. Karen Follingstad to study her Bachelor of Piano Performance from SDSU where she also studied sociology. Active as a recitalist, chamber member, and teacher in Chula Vista, she has also studied the Alexander Technique with Alice Olsher and received her Suzuki Method training from Diana Galindo and has taken trainings for the early stages in piano technique for children with international pedagogue Irina Gorin. She has participated in Dalcroze workshops for music teachers given by International teacher Manuel Zazueta and currently teaches 40 students at her Chula Vista private, bilingual studio.
Linda Piatt | Viola, Violin
Mrs. Piatt’s musical journey began at an early age in a musical household, with formal lessons from age 5. She discovered the violin in fourth grade and pursued her passion for music at The University of Texas at Austin earning a Bachelor of Music. Her pedagogical training began upon meeting luminary pedagog Sally O’Reilly at the University of Minnesota where she earned her Master of Music,. Linda also discovered her affinity for viola and spent several years in the Doctoral program studying with renowned teachers and performers Korey Konkol and Thomas Turner. In the Twin Cities area, Mrs. Piatt was on faculty at the “Bravo!” Summer String Institute at University of Minnesota, and the St. Joseph School of Music. She is a Suzuki method registered teacher for both violin and viola, having registered all unit courses for both instruments along with an extensive array of enrichment courses ranging from ‘The Early Years’ to ‘Beyond Book 10.’ She is on the Board of Directors for the Suzuki Music Association of California and currently serves as the SMAC San Diego Branch President. An avid performer, Linda has taken the stage as a member of the Opera Pacific, and Orchestra Nova San Diego. Other highlights include performing with Pacific Symphony, American Ballet Theater, San Francisco Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet. Currently she performs frequently with the San Diego Symphony, where she has shared the stage with distinguished artists such as Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, Gil Shaham, Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma. She also performs regularly with the Hutchins Consort, Classics 4 Kids Philharmonic and the California Chamber Orchestra. Linda enjoys teaching her violin and viola students at her home studio in San Diego where she lives with her husband, son and daughter.
T. Elly Schmidt | Violin
Elly is an accomplished violinist and educator. She has a B.M. in Violin Performance, is a founding faculty member of the San Diego Suzuki School of Music, and along with many enrichment courses in violin technique, music theory (Music Mind Games) and child psychology has completed training in all ten units of Suzuki violin. Performing with various professional orchestras she has shared the stage with notable artists, such as Midori, Zubin Mehta, and Mannheim Steamroller. She has been Orchestra Director at Oak Park Music Conservatory, Beginning Strings Director at the Kadima Conservatory, and a clinician for southern California youth orchestras and Suzuki camps. Her students have earned top positions in youth symphonies and string competition awards. In addition to Elly's love for teaching, improvisation, and studies in child development and pedagogy, she continues to perform as a freelance artist throughout San Diego.
Jonathan Smith | Assistant Director, Violin
Jonathan began his musical studies at the age of 4 in Toledo, OH. He is a registered Suzuki violin teacher, has a B.M. from Otterbein University, and a Masters in Music from Bowling Green State University, where he studied with Vasile Beluska and Ioana Galu. Before joining the SD Suzuki School of Music in 2013, Jonathan enjoyed working with children in a wide range of ages in his private teaching studio, as well as with the Toledo Symphony Suzuki program. He has been working with orchestras in the Ohio and Michigan areas since 2007. He was the Principal 2nd violin in 2011 and the Co-Concertmaster in 2012-2013 of the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra. Jonathan is very excited to be in San Diego continuing his professional teaching and performing career.
Linda Smith | Piano Program Manager, Piano
Linda Smith has been teaching Suzuki Piano in Toledo, Oh. for 30 plus years. She has a Masters in piano performance from University of Toledo and B.S, in Music Ed. from Daemen College in Eggertsville, N.Y. Having raised four children in Suzuki piano and violin she is very aware of parent, child practicing issues. Mrs. Smith is presently an adjunct Piano Instructor at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale Michigan. She has taught piano classes at University of Toledo to music and non-music majors. Mrs. Smith has been a clinician for Blue Lake Suzuki Family Camp for over 20 years and is now Director of the Piano program for Session I of Blue Lake Suzuki Family Camp. She has been President of the Toledo Piano Teachers Association on two different terms, former program chairman of Toledo Piano Teachers Assoc. and a member of Ohio Music Teachers Assoc. and MTNA.
Elizabeth Mikhael | Cello
Cellist Elizabeth Mikhael is a versatile artist performing as a concert soloist, recitalist, orchestral and chamber musician throughout Europe and North America. Recipient of a generous fellowship from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, she moved to Berlin, Germany to study with former principal cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic, Wolfgang Boettcher. Following this intense period of studies, Ms. Mikhael served as principal cellist of Lorin Maazel’s Castleton Festival Orchestra, the Kurt Masur Seminar Orchestra and for the Elliott Carter Centenary Celebration at the Tanglewood Music Center’s Festival of Contemporary Music. Equally at home as both a performer and teacher, Ms. Mikhael holds degrees from the University of Southern California (B.M., B.A.), Universität der Künste Berlin (Konzertexamen) and from the Manhattan School of Music’s distinguished Orchestral Performance Program (M.M.). In collaboration with her education at USC, she completed pedagogical training at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, and through a generous Fellowship from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, she supplemented her performance studies with pedagogical courses at the UdK in Berlin, Germany. She completed her Suzuki Teacher Training at the School for Strings in New York City with Pamela Devenport and has studied Suzuki pedagogy with Allen Lieb, Carey Beth Hockett, Carey Cheney and Gilda Barston. Ms. Mikhael maintains a private studio in Washington. She serves as a board member for the Suzuki Association of Washington State.
Clinicians and Guest Speakers
Cindy Lee Berryhill | Ukulele, Guitar, Songwriting
Cindy Lee Berryhill is an acclaimed singer-songwriter guitarist that has released multiple albums and toured internationally. She has taught guitar, ukulele, and songwriting at Giacoletti School of Music in Oceanside, CA since 2004 and has been a guest teacher at NAMM's Museum of Making Music. As a songwriter she has been commissioned by the Los Angeles Getty Museum to write and perform music for the art opening on photographer Brassai. In 1992 she was featured in the documentary "Mariposa: Under A Stormy Sky", a folk festival near Toronto, Canada. She is the proud mother of an 18 year freshman at UCSD's Jacobs School of Engineering. Visit her website or read more on her Wikipedia page!
Dr. Lee Ray | Music Composition
Lee Ray is a musician and recording engineer. With decades of experience, he has recorded and produced projects in contemporary classical, classical, new grass, jazz, singer-songwriter, rock, pop, live electronic music, spoken word, alternative styles and world music. He has scored videos and films and is an accomplished editor of video. He also consults on music copyright, performing rights organization affiliation and licensing. Lee earned a PhD in theoretical studies in music from the University of California San Diego.
Summer Jones | Guest Clinician, Movement specialist
Summer is the visionary behind the creation of the SUJO Method. This revolutionary exercise method arose from her expertise in mathematics, ballet, and Pilates. Summer’s degree in mathematics from both Fordham and University of San Diego has guided her understanding of human movement as both structural and dynamic. She has over 20 years of experience in ballet performance and instruction with both adults and children, having worked with the School of American Ballet, Alvin Ailey at Fordham University, Steps on Broadway, New York University, and ballet schools in San Diego. Summer has taught Pilates for over 10 years, incorporating alignment and holistic practices as the foundation of strength within the body. She has coached professional musicians including symphony and solo artists.
Dr. Mark Gomez | Guest Speaker
Mark A. Gomez, Ph.D is an expert who has been used nationwide in the field of injury biomechanics. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedics at University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. He has been involved in the field of biomechanics since 1977 and has over sixteen years of litigation and testimony experience.Dr. Gomez teaches biomechanics and is a published research scientist in orthopedics. He is the author of Biomechanics of Soft-Tissue Injury, published in 2001 by Lawyers and Judges.
Cindy Lee Berryhill is an acclaimed singer-songwriter guitarist that has released multiple albums and toured internationally. She has taught guitar, ukulele, and songwriting at Giacoletti School of Music in Oceanside, CA since 2004 and has been a guest teacher at NAMM's Museum of Making Music. As a songwriter she has been commissioned by the Los Angeles Getty Museum to write and perform music for the art opening on photographer Brassai. In 1992 she was featured in the documentary "Mariposa: Under A Stormy Sky", a folk festival near Toronto, Canada. She is the proud mother of an 18 year freshman at UCSD's Jacobs School of Engineering. Visit her website or read more on her Wikipedia page!
Dr. Lee Ray | Music Composition
Lee Ray is a musician and recording engineer. With decades of experience, he has recorded and produced projects in contemporary classical, classical, new grass, jazz, singer-songwriter, rock, pop, live electronic music, spoken word, alternative styles and world music. He has scored videos and films and is an accomplished editor of video. He also consults on music copyright, performing rights organization affiliation and licensing. Lee earned a PhD in theoretical studies in music from the University of California San Diego.
Summer Jones | Guest Clinician, Movement specialist
Summer is the visionary behind the creation of the SUJO Method. This revolutionary exercise method arose from her expertise in mathematics, ballet, and Pilates. Summer’s degree in mathematics from both Fordham and University of San Diego has guided her understanding of human movement as both structural and dynamic. She has over 20 years of experience in ballet performance and instruction with both adults and children, having worked with the School of American Ballet, Alvin Ailey at Fordham University, Steps on Broadway, New York University, and ballet schools in San Diego. Summer has taught Pilates for over 10 years, incorporating alignment and holistic practices as the foundation of strength within the body. She has coached professional musicians including symphony and solo artists.
Dr. Mark Gomez | Guest Speaker
Mark A. Gomez, Ph.D is an expert who has been used nationwide in the field of injury biomechanics. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedics at University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. He has been involved in the field of biomechanics since 1977 and has over sixteen years of litigation and testimony experience.Dr. Gomez teaches biomechanics and is a published research scientist in orthopedics. He is the author of Biomechanics of Soft-Tissue Injury, published in 2001 by Lawyers and Judges.