SDSI Administration and Faculty
Administration
Danielle Kravitz | Director, Viola, Violin
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.
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.
Marguerite Jayasimha | Assistant Director, Violin
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. Marguerite also has training and experience in Kodaly and Music Mind Games. Marguerite performed with the La Jolla Symphony, Redwood Symphony and numerous string quartets. She developed a love of Indian classical music and plays East/West fusion with her husband, an accomplished Tabla player. During her two-year stay in Singapore in between San Diego and the Bay Area, Marguerite taught children from many different countries and backgrounds and enjoyed being a student herself, learning the Sitar! She was an active member of the International Women’s Choir of Singapore singing, playing violin and serving as a substitute director.
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.
Emily Balderrama | Community Outreach Representative, 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.
Patricia Gomez | Operations Manager
Sylvia Kravitz | Administrative Assistant
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.
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.
Marguerite Jayasimha | Assistant Director, Violin
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. Marguerite also has training and experience in Kodaly and Music Mind Games. Marguerite performed with the La Jolla Symphony, Redwood Symphony and numerous string quartets. She developed a love of Indian classical music and plays East/West fusion with her husband, an accomplished Tabla player. During her two-year stay in Singapore in between San Diego and the Bay Area, Marguerite taught children from many different countries and backgrounds and enjoyed being a student herself, learning the Sitar! She was an active member of the International Women’s Choir of Singapore singing, playing violin and serving as a substitute director.
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.
Emily Balderrama | Community Outreach Representative, 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.
Patricia Gomez | Operations Manager
Sylvia Kravitz | Administrative Assistant
Faculty
Connie Almond | Piano
Connie Almond's introduction to the Suzuki Method began as the mother of a young violinist... For twelve years she accompanied the String Program at San Diego State University, under the direction of Dr. Theodore Brunson. Over time, Connie attended Summer Institutes, and completed Piano Training through Unit 6, including supplementary Practicum experience. She has taught at Suzuki Institutes in Arizona, California, and Colorado.. In addition, she remains active in the California Music Teacher's Association, San Diego Branch, with a vibrant studio of 20 students, ages 4 through adult.
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. www.renatabratt.com
Sherry Cadow | Violin
Sherry Mendoza Cadow received her bachelor’s degree in music at Manhattan School of Music. Her principal studies at Manhattan School were with Louise Behrend. She also received two years of Suzuki training with Ms. Behrend at the School for Strings in New York and became a Suzuki teacher trainer in 2001. In addition, she has completed extensive solo and chamber music studies with Joseph Fuchs at AUSCMI in upstate New York. Her string quartet performances include a tour of Italy and a performance in Cali, Columbia. She has played in professional orchestras along the East Coast, including the Virginia Symphony, Florida West Coast Symphony, and the Long Island Philharmonic under Marin Alsop. A former faculty member of Brooklyn College Preparatory Division and Queensborough College Suzuki Program, Ms. Cadow has taught at institutes and workshops in Alaska, Oregon, Colorado, New York, Minnesota and California. Currently, she is on the violin faculty and serves as the instructor for the Suzuki violin teacher training program at The Colburn School in Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Ryan Ford | Bass
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida, a Master of Music and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. Ryan has studied under Kevin Casseday at the University of Florida and Robert Black at the Hartt School of Music. He has also attended over 10 summer sessions with world-renowned solo bassist Gary Karr. Ryan won the Miami String Quartet Competition in its first year of existence and has had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall with the National Festival Orchestra under the baton of Lukas Foss. Ryan teaches strings at the middle school level and is the Orchestra Director at a Connecticut high school. He has also taught at the elementary school level. As an adjunct at the University of Hartford, Dr. Ford works with aspiring music teachers and has been teaching a private studio of double bassists since 1999. Ryan is a member of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra and has also played with the Hartford Symphony, New Britain Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, the Aternus Chamber Orchestra, the Hartt Symphony, the Albany (GA) Symphony and the Gainesville (FL) Symphony. He was a founding member of the Paper Moon Jazz Trio and the Sophisticates New Music Ensemble, and is a current member of the Amuse Blues Jazz Trio. Ryan’s solo work has been featured at yoga studios, churches and synagogues as well as at New Music and Bass Festivals in New England. www.ryanfordbass.com/category/recordings/
Marguerite Jayasimha | Assistant Director, Violin
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. Marguerite also has training and experience in Kodaly and Music Mind Games. Marguerite performed with the La Jolla Symphony, Redwood Symphony and numerous string quartets. She developed a love of Indian classical music and plays East/West fusion with her husband, an accomplished Tabla player. During her two-year stay in Singapore in between San Diego and the Bay Area, Marguerite taught children from many different countries and backgrounds and enjoyed being a student herself, learning the Sitar! She was an active member of the International Women’s Choir of Singapore singing, playing violin and serving as a substitute director.
Danielle Kravitz | Director, Viola, Violin
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.
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.
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.
T. Elly Schmidt | Violin
With over 30 years of solo/chamber/orchestral experience, Elly is an accomplished musician and educator. She's studied under many renowned musicians, is a registered Suzuki teacher, and has a B.M. in Violin Performance. 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. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and serves on the board of the Suzuki Music Association of California, San Diego Branch. 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.
Danette Schuh | Violin, Viola, Suzuki Early Childhood Education
Danette Schuh is the Director of Dolce Music Studio, 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. A sought-after clinician at institutes, workshops, festivals and schools, she has been teaching for over 30 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’s “Bravo” award and was also awarded “Teacher of the Year”. 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 is currently 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. Mrs. Schuh also performs with the Möbius Chamber Ensemble and as a freelance violinist and violist in the greater Houston area. She and her husband, Todd, reside in Sugar Land, Texas.
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.
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.
Edmund Sprunger | Violin
A former student of Dr. Shin'ichi Suzuki, Edmund Sprunger has taught violin for more than 20 years, including over 300 workshops and master classes throughout North America, South America, and Europe; and is a Registered Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. He has presented sessions at numerous state, national, and international conferences. Mr. Sprunger holds a BA in music from Goshen College, where he studied violin with Lon Sherer, and piano and piano pedagogy with Marvin Blickenstaff. Also trained as a psychotherapist, he holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan and has done post-degree training with the Michigan and St. Louis psychoanalytic institutes. Additional violin studies have been with Chihiro Kudo, Reinaldo Couto (Alexander Technique/Violin), Kent Perry, and Anna Martin. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and as Chair of the American String Teachers Association's [ASTA] Committee on Studio Instruction. In 2004 he received an ASTA Citation for Leadership and Merit. He currently serves as Director of the Child Development Program at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute.
Elizabeth Stuen-Walker | Viola
Elizabeth Stuen-Walker is a Suzuki Viola Teacher Trainer. She maintains a studio in Bellingham, Washington, where she teaches viola, violin, serves as a church choir director, and is a member of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra. She received a BM from the Eastman School of Music and a MM from Yale University School of Music. Following her graduate studies, she taught at the Preucil School of Music and Cornell College in Iowa and played in the Tri-Cities and Cedar Rapids Symphonies prior to returning to her native state of Washington in 1984. Ms. Stuen-Walker is an active Suzuki viola and violin clinician throughout the world. She has taught at many of the World Suzuki Conventions, and has taken the Premier Viola Ensemble to Ireland, Australia, Canada, Scandinavia, Japan, and Germany. She has served twice as a member of the SAA Board of Directors. She is a former SAA Journal Viola Column Editor. Ms. Stuen-Walker has 3 volumes of viola ensembles entitled “Violas in Concert”, a volume “Treble Clef for Violists”, she edited the 2 viola volumes of Suzuki duets, and most recently had two volumes of Viola Christmas Ensembles published.
Connie Almond's introduction to the Suzuki Method began as the mother of a young violinist... For twelve years she accompanied the String Program at San Diego State University, under the direction of Dr. Theodore Brunson. Over time, Connie attended Summer Institutes, and completed Piano Training through Unit 6, including supplementary Practicum experience. She has taught at Suzuki Institutes in Arizona, California, and Colorado.. In addition, she remains active in the California Music Teacher's Association, San Diego Branch, with a vibrant studio of 20 students, ages 4 through adult.
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. www.renatabratt.com
Sherry Cadow | Violin
Sherry Mendoza Cadow received her bachelor’s degree in music at Manhattan School of Music. Her principal studies at Manhattan School were with Louise Behrend. She also received two years of Suzuki training with Ms. Behrend at the School for Strings in New York and became a Suzuki teacher trainer in 2001. In addition, she has completed extensive solo and chamber music studies with Joseph Fuchs at AUSCMI in upstate New York. Her string quartet performances include a tour of Italy and a performance in Cali, Columbia. She has played in professional orchestras along the East Coast, including the Virginia Symphony, Florida West Coast Symphony, and the Long Island Philharmonic under Marin Alsop. A former faculty member of Brooklyn College Preparatory Division and Queensborough College Suzuki Program, Ms. Cadow has taught at institutes and workshops in Alaska, Oregon, Colorado, New York, Minnesota and California. Currently, she is on the violin faculty and serves as the instructor for the Suzuki violin teacher training program at The Colburn School in Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Ryan Ford | Bass
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida, a Master of Music and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. Ryan has studied under Kevin Casseday at the University of Florida and Robert Black at the Hartt School of Music. He has also attended over 10 summer sessions with world-renowned solo bassist Gary Karr. Ryan won the Miami String Quartet Competition in its first year of existence and has had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall with the National Festival Orchestra under the baton of Lukas Foss. Ryan teaches strings at the middle school level and is the Orchestra Director at a Connecticut high school. He has also taught at the elementary school level. As an adjunct at the University of Hartford, Dr. Ford works with aspiring music teachers and has been teaching a private studio of double bassists since 1999. Ryan is a member of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra and has also played with the Hartford Symphony, New Britain Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, the Aternus Chamber Orchestra, the Hartt Symphony, the Albany (GA) Symphony and the Gainesville (FL) Symphony. He was a founding member of the Paper Moon Jazz Trio and the Sophisticates New Music Ensemble, and is a current member of the Amuse Blues Jazz Trio. Ryan’s solo work has been featured at yoga studios, churches and synagogues as well as at New Music and Bass Festivals in New England. www.ryanfordbass.com/category/recordings/
Marguerite Jayasimha | Assistant Director, Violin
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. Marguerite also has training and experience in Kodaly and Music Mind Games. Marguerite performed with the La Jolla Symphony, Redwood Symphony and numerous string quartets. She developed a love of Indian classical music and plays East/West fusion with her husband, an accomplished Tabla player. During her two-year stay in Singapore in between San Diego and the Bay Area, Marguerite taught children from many different countries and backgrounds and enjoyed being a student herself, learning the Sitar! She was an active member of the International Women’s Choir of Singapore singing, playing violin and serving as a substitute director.
Danielle Kravitz | Director, Viola, Violin
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.
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.
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.
T. Elly Schmidt | Violin
With over 30 years of solo/chamber/orchestral experience, Elly is an accomplished musician and educator. She's studied under many renowned musicians, is a registered Suzuki teacher, and has a B.M. in Violin Performance. 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. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and serves on the board of the Suzuki Music Association of California, San Diego Branch. 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.
Danette Schuh | Violin, Viola, Suzuki Early Childhood Education
Danette Schuh is the Director of Dolce Music Studio, 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. A sought-after clinician at institutes, workshops, festivals and schools, she has been teaching for over 30 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’s “Bravo” award and was also awarded “Teacher of the Year”. 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 is currently 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. Mrs. Schuh also performs with the Möbius Chamber Ensemble and as a freelance violinist and violist in the greater Houston area. She and her husband, Todd, reside in Sugar Land, Texas.
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.
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.
Edmund Sprunger | Violin
A former student of Dr. Shin'ichi Suzuki, Edmund Sprunger has taught violin for more than 20 years, including over 300 workshops and master classes throughout North America, South America, and Europe; and is a Registered Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. He has presented sessions at numerous state, national, and international conferences. Mr. Sprunger holds a BA in music from Goshen College, where he studied violin with Lon Sherer, and piano and piano pedagogy with Marvin Blickenstaff. Also trained as a psychotherapist, he holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan and has done post-degree training with the Michigan and St. Louis psychoanalytic institutes. Additional violin studies have been with Chihiro Kudo, Reinaldo Couto (Alexander Technique/Violin), Kent Perry, and Anna Martin. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and as Chair of the American String Teachers Association's [ASTA] Committee on Studio Instruction. In 2004 he received an ASTA Citation for Leadership and Merit. He currently serves as Director of the Child Development Program at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute.
Elizabeth Stuen-Walker | Viola
Elizabeth Stuen-Walker is a Suzuki Viola Teacher Trainer. She maintains a studio in Bellingham, Washington, where she teaches viola, violin, serves as a church choir director, and is a member of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra. She received a BM from the Eastman School of Music and a MM from Yale University School of Music. Following her graduate studies, she taught at the Preucil School of Music and Cornell College in Iowa and played in the Tri-Cities and Cedar Rapids Symphonies prior to returning to her native state of Washington in 1984. Ms. Stuen-Walker is an active Suzuki viola and violin clinician throughout the world. She has taught at many of the World Suzuki Conventions, and has taken the Premier Viola Ensemble to Ireland, Australia, Canada, Scandinavia, Japan, and Germany. She has served twice as a member of the SAA Board of Directors. She is a former SAA Journal Viola Column Editor. Ms. Stuen-Walker has 3 volumes of viola ensembles entitled “Violas in Concert”, a volume “Treble Clef for Violists”, she edited the 2 viola volumes of Suzuki duets, and most recently had two volumes of Viola Christmas Ensembles published.
Clinicians and Guest Speakers
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.
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.