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Active - Public

Violin

Susanna S. is an experienced music teacher with over 30 years of teaching experience on violin, viola, and cello. She has taught in various settings, including private lessons, small groups, large groups, and school orchestra settings for grades 2-12. Susanna has also worked with adult students of all ages and levels. Currently, she runs her own home based studio and offers both online via Skype, Facetime and Zoom; and in-person weekly private lessons from her home studio in Pittsburgh, PA, with options of 30, 45, or 60-minute lessons.

Susanna's teaching focuses on helping students learn to play their instruments, read music, understand music theory and music history, and improve their playing abilities.  Susanna teaches a traditional classical approach to the instruments.  She has successfully prepared students for various auditions and performances, including school orchestras, youth orchestras, community orchestras, competitions, college auditions, and events hosted by organizations such as NAFME (National Association for Music Education), ASTA (American String Teachers Association), and PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association). She also emphasizes the enjoyment of playing music for personal satisfaction.

Her instruction style is rooted in traditional classical training for violin, viola, and cello. She works with students to improve their technique, posture, music reading skills, counting, intonation, phrasing, bowing, and positions. Susanna shares her passion for music and can provide instruction on music theory and music history as part of instrumental lessons.

Susanna received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from the State University of New York at Purchase in 1991. In 1995, she earned her Music Education K-12 Certification from Carnegie Mellon University. She later pursued a Master of Music degree at the University of Denver, Lamont School of Music in 2000. Her training includes studying under esteemed instructors such as Sol Grietzer, Karen Dreyfus, and Basil Vendryes. In 2012, she also obtained a Master of School Administration from East Carolina University.

As an expert in her field, Susanna is dedicated to helping her students achieve their goals. Her teaching style is positive, supportive, patient, constructive, and tailored to each individual student's needs. She believes in working at the student's pace and genuinely cares about the progress and well-being of her students. Susanna welcomes students from the age of 6 to adults, as she believes that one is never too old to learn.

For optimal progress, Susanna recommends weekly lessons for all students. If needed, she can provide guidance on instrument purchasing or rental. If you have any questions or would like to check Susanna's availability, please feel free to ask. Her availability is updated daily.

Thank you for your interest and consideration.

If the 3rd and 5th positions on the violin are challenging to you, join this fun and supportive class today! An expert instructor will help you understand how to locate and learn your way around these positions. You’ll practice both how to shift to these positions and how to play comfortably across the strings.

Practice Playing Violin in the 3rd & 5th Position

Viola

Cello

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

The American String Teachers Association, founded more than 60 years ago, is a membership organization for string and orchestra teachers and players, helping them to develop and refine their careers. ASTA&#039;s members range from budding student teachers to artist-status performers. The organization provides a vast array of services, including instrument insurance, an award-winning scholarly journal, discounts on publications and resources, annual professional development opportunities, and access to collegial network of colleagues throughout the string profession.

Sigma Alpha Iota is a professional International Music Fraternity for women. Formed to uphold the highest standards of music and to further the development of music in America and throughout the world, it continues to provide musical and educational resources to its members and the general public.Sigma Alpha Iota operates its own national philanthropy, Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc.

PMEA is a statewide nonprofit organization of over 4,500 members, dedicated to promoting the musical development of all Pennsylvanians. The present membership evolved from a small group of band directors dating from 1933. Today, the organization includes those engaged in music instruction at all levels, from preschool through college and university, as well as those in the music industry, merchandising and publishing. The organization promotes and supports quality music education, learning and performance as well as promoting and supporting music education in schools and communities. PMEA is affiliated with The National Association for Music Education, NAfME.

Founded in 1907, NAfME is among the world’s largest arts education organizations. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers.

The American Viola Society is a nonprofit organization of viola enthusiasts, including students, performers, teachers, scholars, composers, makers, and friends, who seek to encourage excellence in performance, pedagogy, research, composition, and lutherie. United in our commitment to promote the viola and its related activities, the AVS fosters communication and friendship among violists of all skill levels, ages, nationalities, and backgrounds.

Sword of Honor

Article in Woman's World Magazine

Article in The Penny Hoarder

Presenter on Teaching Online Lessons Basics 101

Teaching Online Lessons Basics 101

Music Education K-12

Principal K-12 Certification

Instructional Coach PK-12 Endorsement

•	Planned, directed, promoted, and led orchestra performances and concerts
•	Taught keyboard, world drumming and guitar to general music classes
•	Directed and taught middle and high school students in all orchestra stringed instruments
•	Co-Founded and directed the North Pitt Attendance Area Middle School String Orchestra in 2008-2010
•	Served as Exploratory Department Chair, on the School Improvement Team, as a Mentor Teacher and a First Responder.

Orchestra and Strings Teacher

•	Directed and taught middle and high school orchestra classes and elementary school string lessons.
•	Coordinated and met with music parent support groups to assure open communications and organized events for musical groups.
•	Coached and prepared students to audition and participate in the County, District, Regional and All State orchestras.
•	Registered and competed in local orchestra competitions with the middle and high school orchestras.
•	Managed and supervised High School Music department trips out of state.

•	Created and directed elementary string programs in five elementary.
•	Provided small group and large group instruction for 3-5 grade students on string instruments.
•	Conducted after school orchestra for students.
•	Wrote and developed standards of Music Education as member of the Standards Writing team for Music.
•	Instructed violin and viola lessons at the Summer Arts Camp.

•	Served as Assistant Principal for two K-5 Title 1 Elementary Schools.  Testing Coordinator for both schools.  Served as Bus Coordinator and Field Trip transportation coordinator for both schools. Served as LEA for IEP and 504 meetings and Chair of Intervention team at both schools.  
•	Managed Discipline, Read 3D Data Walls, involved in interview process for school staff.  Involved in grade level PLC meetings, 
•	Completed the Future Ready Leadership program through NCPAPA and CCRESA.
•	Involved in mentoring and evaluating teachers, Member of Community in Schools team at Vick Elementary, involved in K-5 Common Core Curriculum

Elementary Assistant Principal

•	Operated privately owned teaching studio.  
•	Provided lessons, performance classes and recitals for violin and viola students, ages 7 through adults.
•	Managed all aspects of the teaching studio.

Private Instructor - Violin and Viola

•	Provides Violin, Viola and Cello instruction to 60+ students per week aged 7 to adult. Teaches all levels from beginners through advanced.    
•	Operates privately owned teaching studio from my home and offers online lessons via TakeLessons Classroom, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger and Google Hangouts/Meet.
•	Provides private lessons on cello, viola and violin and an annual recital for local students and a virtual recital for online students.

Private Instructor - Violin, Viola and Cello

Provided small group string instruction two afternoons per week at the school.
Offered individual instruction to students over the summer at the school.

String Instructor and Coordinator

Principal Violist of the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra.  The Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra performs 5 concerts a year between September through May.

Principal Violist

English

I've been teaching violin for over 28 years and my students have gone on to play in youth orchestras, community orchestras, attend PMEA and ASTA events or go to college as a music major. Within the first few lessons, you'll be able to improve your playing skills and as time goes on you'll be able to play at a more advanced level.  I specialize in Traditional Classical violin, typically use Essential Elements 2000, Samuel Applebaum methods, Suzuki methods, Barbara Barber books and traditional scales and etude books.  I love working with students of all ages and experience levels and I can't wait to meet you!

I’m very happy to have picked Susana despite the many options to choose from TL. As an adult who has zero musical theory, it’s a fortunate and a privilege to have Susana as my teacher. She not only has the full knowledge about cello but also the skills to teach different ages patiently even to a beginner like me. 

Susanna is an incredible teacher.  With in weeks I was feeling confident and understanding how to read music.  She is very patient and very positive in lessons.  At first I was skeptical of online lessons for an instrument but Susanna has an amazing set up and can correct bow and hand positions easily before bad habits can settle in.  I highly recommend her.  She is a delight to work with.

Susanna is a really patient and kind teacher. She helped me with the violin a lot and was very caring. I would recommend her to people who are trying to find the perfect  teacher.

Susanna was very easy to understand, very kind and patient to explain the basics of proper cello placement, bow hold and how to bow properly. I highly recommend her as a cello instructor!

Susanna is an excellent instructor! I've been with her for a year as an adult beginner and learned a great deal. She is patient and supportive -- exactly what you need in an instructor. She also has a great sense of humor lined with kindness, which helps when you create some truly tragic notes on your violin.

Susanna was a very kind, patient, and successful instructor while working with my 7-year-old son!

Today was our first lesson and my son ran into my room at the conclusion of his session with nothing but positive things to say about Miss Susanna. He said that she was personable and lightened the mood with jokes during the lesson. She provided him with new techniques and skills just in the first lesson that he found extremely beneficial. He said that she is the teacher that he has been longing for and he thanked me for finding her. We look forward to working with her and his continued progress.

Susanna is an amazing instructor who takes the time with her students to truly get an appreciation of the instrument they are learning. Susanna offers any student patience, understanding and a wealth of knowledge to gain confidence in playing. Highly recommend for any Violin, Viola, or Cello students.

Absolute BEST music teacher EVER!  If patience is a virtue, you will never meet a more virtuous person. 

I’ve been taking Viola lesson with Susanna for over four years…including various breaks for health issues (two strokes, carpal tunnel surgery)…and Susanna always knows where to restart lessons. 

You can stop looking for a strings teacher now, because you’ve just found the best there is!

We had our first online violin lesson with Susanna for my son. At the beginning I was sceptical if online lessons would work but Susanna's way of teaching has convinced me that we have found the right teacher.
She was excellent in showing my son the correct techniques and my son told me afterwards how excited he was.

I took in person lessons with Susanna 17 years ago.  I put the violin down & hadn’t played since but decided now to take it up again.  I was hesitant to take online lessons but then I found Susanna giving lessons online & signed up.  Have only had 1 lesson so far but it was great.  Susanna has been doing online lessons for some time & has the format down.  She is still the great teacher/communicator I remember even in this new format!

Excellent teacher! Very organized, kind and patient.

I enjoyed my first lesson so much. Susanna was very encouraging. I am looking forward to the next lesson!

Susanna is a patient and thorough teacher who is willing to cater her lessons to the student's comfort level. The violin is a difficult instrument, but she makes it fun to play and learn. Highly recommend!

Practice Playing Violin in the 3rd & 5th Position - Violin Class

About Susanna S.

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