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
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. 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
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 (www.lomalindastrings.com). 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 continued to pursue her passion for music at The University of Texas at Austin earning a Bachelor of Music. Upon meeting luminary pedagog Sally O’Reilly at the University of Minnesota where she earned her Master of Music, her pedagogical training began. 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 the gamut 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 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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mary Walters | Cello
Mary Walters teaches a thriving studio in Seattle Washington, and directs the Alaska Cello Intensive cello choir in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mary previously taught on the cello faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago and has been a guest clinician at many institutes including the Chicago Suzuki Institute, Fairbanks Suzuki Institute, Hawaii Suzuki Institute, Alaska Cello Intensive, Intermountain Suzuki Institute, as a teaching assistant at the Bowdoin International Music Festival, and more. Mary earned her master’s degree in cello performance and pedagogy from Northern Illinois University, and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon. She has been a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Northwest Indiana Symphony. Mary has also performed with the Seattle Symphony, and as a recording studio musician has played on dozens of Hollywood film, television, commercial, and video game soundtracks.
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. 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
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 (www.lomalindastrings.com). 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 continued to pursue her passion for music at The University of Texas at Austin earning a Bachelor of Music. Upon meeting luminary pedagog Sally O’Reilly at the University of Minnesota where she earned her Master of Music, her pedagogical training began. 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 the gamut 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 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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mary Walters | Cello
Mary Walters teaches a thriving studio in Seattle Washington, and directs the Alaska Cello Intensive cello choir in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mary previously taught on the cello faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago and has been a guest clinician at many institutes including the Chicago Suzuki Institute, Fairbanks Suzuki Institute, Hawaii Suzuki Institute, Alaska Cello Intensive, Intermountain Suzuki Institute, as a teaching assistant at the Bowdoin International Music Festival, and more. Mary earned her master’s degree in cello performance and pedagogy from Northern Illinois University, and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon. She has been a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Northwest Indiana Symphony. Mary has also performed with the Seattle Symphony, and as a recording studio musician has played on dozens of Hollywood film, television, commercial, and video game soundtracks.
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.