Heartstrings Violin Studio

Introduction: The Suzuki method is a method of teaching music that was conceived and executed by a Japanese violinist and pedagogue, Shin'ichi Suzuki (1898-1998), dating from the mid-20th century. The central belief of Suzuki, based on his language acquisition theories, is that all people are capable of learning from their environment. The essential components of his method spring from the desire to create the "right environment" for learning music. He also believed that this positive environment would help foster character in students. Kelly has been teaching violin and viola for 8 years and has experience in teaching students aged 3-83. She started violin with the Suzuki method when she was 5 years old. She has taken both violin and viola lessons with Margaret Shimizu, Samuel Goh, and Elisa Boynton. She received a B.A. in Psychology from Lewis & Clark College (in Portland, Ore.) which she has found to be profoundly helpful in her teaching. Her training includes a 2-year apprenticeship with Martha Shackford (Violin Books 1-10 & Viola Books 1-3), Oregon Suzuki Institute training with Betsy Stuen-Walker (Viola Books 3-4), and the Suzuki Principles in Action course with Susan Baer. She performed professionally with dozens of groups in Portland before relocating to her hometown of Sierra Madre. She is a proud member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, the Suzuki Music Association of California - Los Angeles, and the Suzuki Talent Education of Pasadena.