Ms. Jody Harmon

Recipient of the prestigious Massachusetts Studio Teacher of the Year Award (MA-ASTA 2003), violinist Jody Harmon maintains a vibrant Suzuki program in Westford, MA with students ranging from young beginners to advanced concerto players. Known for having a unique and disarming way of teaching music theory and improvisation to classical string players, Jody is a frequently sought after clinician at workshops, Institutes, National Conferences (ASTA, SAA), and state music conventions. Jody is author of two very popular play-along improvisation methods: Improvise! (which teaches classical string players how to use different compositional techniques to improvise – this method is tailor-made for the Suzuki student!) and Jazz Improvisation Made Easy (co-authored with jazz violinist John Blake). Both methods have received worldwide acclaim. Jody’s new website, stringimprov.bandcamp.com contains her New Variations Project—publication of contemporary arrangements of Suzuki repertoire tunes. Jody’s education includes: MM and BM in violin performance; extensive SAA teacher training; Orff-Schulwerk training; and jazz improvisation studies with Jamey Aebersold, Rufus Reid, and John Blake.