(Faculty roster is subject to change and we can’t guarantee that you will have a certain faculty member as your teacher.)

Enrichment Faculty:

Christopher Becknell : From Bach to Rock Guitar Styles

Christopher is a Twin Cities musician who freelances in many musical styles. An accomplished Classical and Fingerstyle Guitarist, he also performs on Fiddle in a wide range of styles from Classical, Celtic, Bluegrass and Old-Time to Rock and Hot Club Jazz Violin. Currently he performs with Guitarist David Crittenden in the duo SlipJig.

He served on the music faculty of Minneapolis Community and Technical College for 7 years and is a current faculty member at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. In 2015, Christopher released an album of Fingerstyle Gospel and Folk song arrangements for solo Guitar called Just Beyond the River; it has received playtime on Minnesota, Michigan and National Public Radio, The Current, and KBEM’s Bluegrass Saturday Morning and is available on all major platforms.

 

Lauren Cless : Bach Double!

Lauren Cless teaches violin and chamber music at the Rivers School Conservatory. In 2017, she received the Certificate of Achievement from the Suzuki Association of the Americas, an award that recognizes teachers for their commitment to excellence, life-long learning, and self-improvement. Previously, Ms. Cless was a member of the faculty at the Western Springs School of Talent Education. She earned a Masters of Music in Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Bachelors of Music in Violin Performance from Northwestern University.

In addition to being an enthusiastic pedagogue, Ms. Cless is a freelance performer in the greater Boston area. Together with her husband, a violinist/composer, Lauren owns a business that performs live string music for weddings throughout New England. She has three young children and enjoys being a Suzuki parent in a very musical household!

 

 

Elizabeth Cunha: Broadway Theater   

Elizabeth Cunha started her violin journey at age 3 in NY, New York. She leads the Middle and Upper School Orchestras at Stone Ridge School in Bethesda MD and is the founder and director of Silver Strings Music Academy (Suzuki, Fiddle School & music theory). Elizabeth also serves as the Orchestra Education Liaison for Young Artists of America (YAA), and Coordinator of Certification Programs for the Foundation for the Advancement of String Education (FASE). Elizabeth has served as music director for Washington Preludio Strings tours in Germany, Italy and England and is past president of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Maryland/D.C. Chapter.

While attending the Catholic University of America Elizabeth studied violin performance, music education, and musical theater. She later received her Masters in Music Education from The University of Maryland with a focus in Suzuki string pedagogy under the tutelage of Ronda Cole. Elizabeth has extensive training in various pedagogy including Fiddle School, Bornoff, Orff-Schulwerk (Level 2), Dalcroze Eurythmics (Level 2A), Music Mind Games (Teacher-Trainer Certification), World Music Drumming (Level 3), Ultimate Music Theory, Creative Strings Academy, and Strings Pop! Elizabeth also enjoys theater, texas-style fiddle jams, spending time with her family, tap dance and headstands.

 

Lisa Dancing-Light: Magic, Music and A Special Way of Listening

Lisa Dancing-Light is an internationally recognized recording artist and composer. As an educational specialist for forty years, and trained in the Suzuki Method of Piano, Lisa was Director of Music at Aspen Community School, taught at Colorado Rocky Mountain School and Ross Montessori School. She helped score five musicals performed at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen. She has produced five globally-streamed recordings of original compositions.

Her new children’s book, A SONG AND STORY OF MAGIC MOUNTAIN inspired her new Magic Mountain Educational Program and Musical. Lisa currently lives in Colorado and has journeyed many times to the top of Mount Sopris, the inspiration for Magic Mountain.

 

Kirby Dennis : Viola for Violinists

Kirby Dennis has been teaching violin and viola for over 15 years and it is her passion to help young people grow and learn. Kirby has taught at the St. Louis School of Music, co-founded West County Strings and a Suzuki in the Schools program at The Fulton school. Kirby is also a lower elementary Montessori violin teacher as of 2023. One of Kirby’s favorite teaching opportunities is summer music institute and festival teaching not limited to Colorado, Chicago and American Suzuki Institutes, Midwest Chamber Music Workshop, Sprunger Violin Camp and various workshops throughout the country.
Upon graduation from the University of Illinois, Kirby pursued long-term and many short-term Suzuki training and completed the Child Development Program at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute.
Kirby’s students have held leadership positions in the STL Youth Orchestra, Missouri All-State Orchestra, and were featured soloists with local orchestras. Kirby has been a recurring featured soloist with the Town and Country, Kankakee Valley and the St. Charles Symphony. She remains an avid chamber and orchestral musician. Some of Kirby’s favorite moments as a child were in Suzuki group classes and her longest friendships have been formed through a love and commitment to music!

 

Peter Friesen: Practical Piano Skills

Peter Friesen is an active performer and teacher near Denver, Colorado. He has been an affiliate member of the piano faculty at the Metropolitan State University of Denver since 2007, and maintains a large private studio. With degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder and Point Loma Nazarene University, he has performed and given master classes across the United States.

As a teacher, his holistic pedagogical approach aims to provide each student with the tools of healthy playing and musical creativity, from traditional Western music and notation to blues, improv, composition, and rock/pop learned by ear. Mr. Friesen is heavily involved in the local community of music teachers as an executive board member for the Colorado State Music Teachers Association. He regularly presents for teachers’ associations around the state on topics such as extended piano techniques and incorporating technology into teaching.

 

Gail Gebhart : Piano Accompanying Class

Gail Gebhart is a private Suzuki piano teacher in Farmington Hills, Michigan. In addition to maintaining an active studio, she is on the faculty of Wayne State University where she teaches private and class piano. She received a B.M. With Distinction from the University of Michigan and a M.M. in Piano Performance from Wayne State University. She received Suzuki training from Mary Craig Powell, Yasuko Joichi and Renee Robbins.

A coordinator the piano area for the Suzuki Association of the Americas’ Biennial Conference in 2014 and she has taught at the Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute, Colorado Suzuki Institute, Oregon Suzuki Institute, Calgary Suzuki Institute, and the Chicago Suzuki Institute. In August 2016, Gail became a piano Teacher Trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

 

Andrea Glass : Cello Rock! and Cello Choir

Andrea Glass received her Masters degree from the University of Northern Colorado and her Bachelors degree from Bowling Green State University, both in cello performance. She received her long-term Suzuki training in cello with Carol Tarr and violin with James Maurer at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver, and has taught Suzuki group cello and violin classes with Longmont Suzuki Strings and Denver Talent Education. She has been a judge for Solo and Ensemble Contest of Northern Colorado, and chamber music coach for CelloFest at the University of Denver. She has been an active recitalist and teacher in the music community of Colorado, and has played with the Fort Collins, Greeley, and Cheyenne Symphonies.

Ms. Glass has performed in master classes with David Ying, Janos Starker, and Yo-Yo Ma. She was also a studio musician at the Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado, and has played with over twenty bands such as Rise Against, Drive By, Melissa Ivey, and Tickle Me Pink. She has recorded for Wind Up Records and Warner Bros. In 2009, Ms. Glass accepted the Suzuki cello faculty position at Macphail Center for Music in Minneapolis, MN. She is a former president of the Suzuki Association of Minnesota and committee chair for the annual S.A.M. Statewide Graduation Recitals. She is the founder and instructor for Cello Rock at MacPhail, a cello ensemble that performs rock and pop music, and also performs with Minneapolis-based Nirvana tribute band, NIVRANA. Ms. Glass enjoys coaching chamber music, and teaching her students non-classical music genres. She is also a Suzuki parent.

 

 

 

Jacob Jonker : Improvisation Fundamentals

Jacob Jonker has a Master’s Degree in Classical Guitar and has taught both privately and at the University Level since 2008. His students have had the opportunity to play in masterclasses with world-class guitarists including William Kanengiser, Ana Vidovic, Jason Vieaux, Berta Rojas, and the Brasil Guitar Duo. They also attend Suzuki Institutes and the International Conference in Minneapolis.

To name a few, he has performed with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Twin Ports Choral Project, Lyric Opera of the North, as well as in numerous Rock, Pop and Jazz groups. Jake is always looking to expand his musical skillset and try new things.

 

Annette Lee : Piano Accompanying Class

Annette Lee has been a member of the MacPhail Center for Music since 1995. Ms. Lee is a frequent performer in the Twin Cities as an active collaborator with colleagues and students. As a Teacher Trainer, she has taught workshops in IL, WI, Washington D.C., TN, MA, Canada and was invited to teach at the International Teacher Trainers Convention in Matsumoto, Japan in October. In addition to her teaching students at MacPhail, she has created a Fellowship Program at MacPhail, training new Suzuki teachers in Minneapolis.

Ms. Lee began her teaching career in the Chicago area at DePaul University Community Music Program and the Music Institute of Chicago. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Wheaton Conservatory of Music and was a fellowship student at the University of Michigan for her Master’s Degree. Additional training includes the Aspen Music Festival, Blossom Music Festival and the Chicago Suzuki Institute.

 

Christopher Luther: Ear Training Gymnastics and Improvisation Games without Pressure

Violinist, violist, conductor, arranger, mentor, and pedagogue, Dr. Christopher Luther has established himself as a uniquely gifted performer and teacher through his diverse musical background and ability to reach and inspire students.  As a performer, Dr. Luther has been a featured soloist on National Public Radio, KUSC, televised performances on PBS, movies (including The Soloist) and many others including a performance on the Jay Leno Show with Sarah Barrielles.  Notable chamber collaborations include the Miró String Quartet, Joseph Silverstein, Martin Beaver, and members of the Colorado Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Dr. Luther is the Affiliate professor of violin and viola at Colorado Christian University.  Additional college positions include Pepperdine University, University of Northern Colorado, and University of Texas in Austin.  He is the owner and president of Luther Strings, a premier violin shop located in Denver.  Additionally Dr. Luther and his sister founded and run Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp in Divide, Colorado.
Certified for the entire Suzuki Violin Method and Viola Book 9 from the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Dr. Luther was once a young student of the Colorado Suzuki Institute.

 Lee Ann Scherlong: Choir, Acting and Voice Classes

Lee Ann Scherlong: Native of Colorado, Lee Ann has worked professionally as a director, music director, theatre educator, actor, teaching artist and arts administrator for over 30 years. Lee Ann has worked extensively within the world of Theatre for Young Audiences and has a passion for providing opportunities for young people to learn the craft of acting, singing and to participate in the performing arts.

Organizations Lee Ann has worked with include Colorado Vocal Institute, Fort Collins Children’s Theatre, Northglenn Youth Theatre, Cherry Creek Theatre, Neighborhood Music School, Aurora Fox, Factory Five Five and Vintage Theatre Productions. Youth productions directed include Seussical, Alice in Wonderland (play), and Wizard of Oz. Youth theatre productions music directed include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Honk!, the Musical, Sound of Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Freaky Friday, Cinderella, and Frozen Jr.

 

Shu-Yi Scott: Cello

Shu-Yi Scott, originally from Taipei, Taiwan, has given master classes, seminars and performances in the States, Taipei, Shanghai, Mexico, and Europe. Dr. Shu-Yi Scott was awarded the Certificate of Achievement through the Suzuki Association of the Americas in 2015 and Suzuki cello teacher trainer in 2019.

Dr. Scott holds a MM in cello performance from Penn State under Dr. Kim Cook and DMA in cello performance from the University of Texas at Austin under renowned pedagogue Ms. Phyllis Young .

Teaching beginning students from the age of 3 to advanced high school cellists, her expertise and patience excels students from all musical backgrounds.  She uses her knowledge of child development to creatively target the needs of her students, keeping them motivated and growing.  Her private lessons, group class offerings, and parent education nights help to foster a community of  lifelong musicians.

Besides teaching her students, Dr. Scott is an active teacher trainer and coach. She has given workshops for teachers and parents on topics such as Suzuki triangle, group lesson teaching, and business management for music studios. During the pandemic, she and Dr. Merlin Thompson, a long term Suzuki piano teacher trainer based in Canada, co-created a series of video podcasts to support music teachers called: Shu-Yi & Merlin- Let’s Talk about Music Teaching- Conversations that Inform & Inspire

Her hobbies include gardening, sourdough baking , learning Japanese and French, and world travel. She lives in Austin, Texas with her bass player husband and two daughters, both studied Suzuki cello method.

 

Emma Shubin : Dalcroze, Music Together and Improv Piano Artistry

Flutist, Dalcroze, Suzuki, and Integrative education specialist Emma Shubin (www.emmashubin.com) has been joyfully making music her whole life and has the privilege of teaching not only Suzuki flute and Dalcroze classes, but also is the co-founder and artistic director the Colorado nonprofit Integral Steps (www.integralsteps.org) whose mission strives to support the balanced development of individuals, families & communities through integrative & multimodal learning. She is represented by the Wm.S. Haynes Flute Company as an Ambassador Clinician Artist and loves teaching Dalcroze musicianship and improvisation classes to students across the globe, and making music with ensembles big and small.

Currently, Emma is pursuing her PhD at the University of Luxembourg researching how the use of movement while playing impacts instrumental learning in the early years. When she isn’t playing the flute or teaching, she can be found exploring her new European home with her daughter, husband, and their two silly pups.

 

 

Crystal Plohman Wiegman : American Fiddle Music for Violin, Viola and Cello!

Crystal Plohman Wiegman has spent over 30 years sharing her fiddling expertise at numerous Suzuki Institutes, state educators’ conferences, and string clinics across the continent and Europe.  Growing up as one of the first Suzuki students in the Brandon University program, Crystal went on to win national fiddling titles in both Canada and the US. A graduate of the University of Waterloo, she serves on the Suzuki strings faculty at Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and is coordinator of the Folk Instrument Department. Crystal has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and shared the stage with the Chieftains and country greats like Chet Atkins and Vince Gill. She has toured internationally throughout Europe, China, and Japan.

Since her move to Music City in 1994, Crystal has been dedicated to bridging the gap between the classical and folk music world, developing a holistic violin program which embraces Suzuki philosophies and repertoire as the foundation, incorporating fiddle music of various styles and improvisation to develop creativity.  Crystal’s fiddle tune arrangements have been performed by string groups worldwide. She directs “Fiddle Frenzy”, a performing string group of Vanderbilt pre-collegiate students who perform regularly in middle Tennessee and recently returned from a well-received performance tour of Scotland. Her sequenced fiddle method book, “Fiddle and Song”, (designed to supplement and support Suzuki pedagogy) has recently been released through Alfred publishing.

Crystal lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and 2 children, Kelsie and Joshua, who study Suzuki violin and cello, respectively.

 

 

Musicianship Faculty:

Emma Shubin : Musicianship

Flutist, Dalcroze, Suzuki, and Integrative education specialist Emma Shubin (www.emmashubin.com) has been joyfully making music her whole life and has the privilege of teaching not only Suzuki flute and Dalcroze classes, but also is the co-founder and artistic director the Colorado nonprofit Integral Steps (www.integralsteps.org) whose mission strives to support the balanced development of individuals, families & communities through integrative & multimodal learning. She is represented by the Wm.S. Haynes Flute Company as an Ambassador Clinician Artist and loves teaching Dalcroze musicianship and improvisation classes to students across the globe, and making music with ensembles big and small.

Currently, Emma is pursuing her PhD at the University of Luxembourg researching how the use of movement while playing impacts instrumental learning in the early years. When she isn’t playing the flute or teaching, she can be found exploring her new European home with her daughter, husband, and their two silly pups.

 

 

Elizabeth Cunha: Musicianship  

Elizabeth Cunha started her violin journey at age 3 in NY, New York. She leads the Middle and Upper School Orchestras at Stone Ridge School in Bethesda MD and is the founder and director of Silver Strings Music Academy (Suzuki, Fiddle School & music theory). Elizabeth also serves as the Orchestra Education Liaison for Young Artists of America (YAA), and Coordinator of Certification Programs for the Foundation for the Advancement of String Education (FASE). Elizabeth has served as music director for Washington Preludio Strings tours in Germany, Italy and England and is past president of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Maryland/D.C. Chapter.

While attending the Catholic University of America Elizabeth studied violin performance, music education, and musical theater. She later received her Masters in Music Education from The University of Maryland with a focus in Suzuki string pedagogy under the tutelage of Ronda Cole. Elizabeth has extensive training in various pedagogy including Fiddle School, Bornoff, Orff-Schulwerk (Level 2), Dalcroze Eurythmics (Level 2A), Music Mind Games (Teacher-Trainer Certification), World Music Drumming (Level 3), Ultimate Music Theory, Creative Strings Academy, and Strings Pop! Elizabeth also enjoys theater, texas-style fiddle jams, spending time with her family, tap dance and headstands.

 

Kirby Dennis : Musicianship

Kirby Dennis has been teaching violin and viola for over 15 years and it is her passion to help young people grow and learn. Kirby has taught at the St. Louis School of Music, co-founded West County Strings and a Suzuki in the Schools program at The Fulton school. Kirby is also a lower elementary Montessori violin teacher as of 2023. One of Kirby’s favorite teaching opportunities is summer music institute and festival teaching not limited to Colorado, Chicago and American Suzuki Institutes, Midwest Chamber Music Workshop, Sprunger Violin Camp and various workshops throughout the country.

Upon graduation from the University of Illinois, Kirby pursued long-term and many short-term Suzuki training and completed the Child Development Program at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute.
Kirby’s students have held leadership positions in the STL Youth Orchestra, Missouri All-State Orchestra, and were featured soloists with local orchestras. Kirby has been a recurring featured soloist with the Town and Country, Kankakee Valley and the St. Charles Symphony. She remains an avid chamber and orchestral musician. Some of Kirby’s favorite moments as a child were in Suzuki group classes and her longest friendships have been formed through a love and commitment to music!

 

Heidi Brymer : Musicianship

Heidi grew up in the Denver area studying Suzuki piano & violin since the age of 4. She received a degree in piano performance from the University of Denver and also completed her Suzuki Violin teacher training.

Heidi has been accompanying recitals from Suzuki book 1 to Master’s recitals since the age of 16. She currently resides in the Raleigh area with her husband & 4 children. She continues to teach & accompany.

 

 

Collaborative Piano:

Heidi Brymer : Collaborative Piano

Heidi grew up in the Denver area studying Suzuki piano & violin since the age of 4. She received a degree in piano performance from the University of Denver and also completed her Suzuki Violin teacher training.

Heidi has been accompanying recitals from Suzuki book 1 to Master’s recitals since the age of 16. She currently resides in the Raleigh area with her husband & 4 children. She continues to teach & accompany.

 

 

 

Peter Friesen: Collaborative Piano

Peter Friesen is an active performer and teacher near Denver, Colorado. He has been an affiliate member of the piano faculty at the Metropolitan State University of Denver since 2007, and maintains a large private studio. With degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder and Point Loma Nazarene University, he has performed and given master classes across the United States.

As a teacher, his holistic pedagogical approach aims to provide each student with the tools of healthy playing and musical creativity, from traditional Western music and notation to blues, improv, composition, and rock/pop learned by ear. Mr. Friesen is heavily involved in the local community of music teachers as an executive board member for the Colorado State Music Teachers Association. He regularly presents for teachers’ associations around the state on topics such as extended piano techniques and incorporating technology into teaching.

 

April Martin : Collaborative Piano

Dr. April Martin grew up as a Suzuki violin and piano student and is delighted to share this wonderful gift with the next generation of young musicians. Originally from Denver, she now lives in Coeur d’Alene, ID, and has a private studio of dedicated violin and piano students. From her own experiences of early musical exposure and lessons beginning at a young age, she has seen the value of the Suzuki approach first-hand and now enjoys sharing this same experience with students of all ages and levels.

Dr. Martin earned degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Denver. Her primary teachers have included James Maurer, Dr. Lina Bahn, and Alice Rybak. In addition to teaching, April is a violinist with the Spokane Symphony and an accompanist for musicians of all ages.

 

 

Nan Shannon : Collaborative Piano

Pianist Nan Shannon is an active soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. She has performed in many venues in Denver and the surrounding area, as a member of groups such as the Colorado Chamber Players, Front Range Chamber Players, and on the Denver Eclectic Concert Series. She has also specialized in music by living composers, both as a member of the Contemporary Music Forum in Washington, D.C, and with the Playground Ensemble in Denver. Since 2001 Ms. Shannon has taught piano, chamber music, and group classes at Regis University (from where she recently retired) and at Metropolitan State University in Denver. She earned her doctorate in piano from the Peabody Conservatory where she studied with Ann Schein, and her masters in accompanying from the University of Southern California, studying with Jean Barr and Brooks Smith.