Focus Area: Violin
Marji Shemanski
Originally from southeast Michigan, Marji Shemanski started playing the piano at the age of 5, studying with her father – a band teacher and electric bassist. After expressing interest in her grandmother’s old violin, Marji began Suzuki lessons when she was 10. After graduating from Spring Arbor University with a B.A. in Violin performance, Marji…
Sana Nagano
Brooklyn-based violinist/composer Sana Nagano has a highly distinctive approach to her playing, grounding chaotic improvisations with restrained precision. Formally trained in both jazz and classical traditions, she rips up the rulebook with projects such as the avant-bluegrass trio Astroturf Noise and 2021’s prog jazz quintet Smashing Humans, 2022’s superb free-jazz trio Anime Mundi (with legendary…
Ali Kang
From: New York, NY I started teaching music in… 2010 I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2014 My inspiration: J.S. Bach, my daughter MJ, Suzuki teacher Allen Lieb Few people know that I… study the Feldenkrais Method and love to sing. Education: University of Michigan – B.M., Violin Performance, The Juilliard School – one…
Aaron Van Heyningen
From: Issaquah, WashingtonI started teaching music in…1997I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2013My inspiration: Dr. Suzuki. He lived through turbulent times and still managed to work tirelessly to create a more beautiful world through education, compassion, and music.Few people know that I… enjoy high-tech cooking, and I dream of turning my brown thumb into…
Marthe Miller
From: Pittsburgh, PA I started teaching music in…1965 I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2005 My inspiration: My dad, James “Jimmy” Miller, singer/pianist who performed as a soloist and accompanist for televangelists and their celebrity guests; and my mom, Isabelle Miller, pianist and the first U.S. female band leader Few people know that I……
Brian Thompson
I’m from… Binghamton, NY I started teaching music in… 2007 I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2013 My inspiration: The natural world Few people know that I… am also a visual artist (pencil, ink, watercolor) Education: Cornell University – BS, Ecology CUNY Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music – MM, Viola Performance I play and…
Johnna Wu
From: Philadelphia and Indianapolis I started teaching music in… 2008 I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2018 My inspiration: my grandfather Few people know that I… do yoga everyday Education: Columbia University – Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Music History and Theory, The Juilliard School – Masters of Music in Violin Performance I…
Anna Majcherczyk
From: Krakow, Poland Education: Music Academy in Krakow; University of Arts in Graz; School for Strings New York I play and teach: Violin Personal Teaching Statement: I start my students under the Suzuki philosophy and pedagogy. I believe in the power of small steps and breaking up the difficulties into easier, “digestible” bits. I believe…
Adriatik Sefa
From: Elbasan, Albania I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2015 My inspiration: Old players such as Oistrakh, Heifetz Few people know that I… like building things Education: New Leaders For New Schools, Emerging Leaders Program, New York University, MA; Eastman School of Music, MM I play and teach: Violin and Viola My other artistic/musical…