Suzuki Youth Orchestra of the Americas, 2008

Ann Montzka-Smelser is a Suzuki Student, Teacher, Parent and Suzuki Teacher Trainer. In between receiving her Bachelors of Music Education and Masters in Performance and Pedagogy at Northern Illinois University, Ann studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan.
Ann has performed in many orchestras and ensembles and is currently principal 2nd violinist with Camerata Chicago and concertmaster of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Ann is on the music faculty of Northwestern University teaching Suzuki Pedagogy and Director of the NIU CSA Suzuki Strings Program at Northern Illinois University. Ann maintains a studio of 35 violin and viola students and enjoys working with Suzuki families at Festivals in Lima, Peru, Singapore, Mexico, Costa Rica and though out the US. Ann lives in DeKalb, IL with her husband Linc. Their Suzuki-raised children, Benjamin and Genevieve are currently professional musicians.

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Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Vanessa Vari studied the violin with Mary Cay Neal and the Buffalo Suzuki Strings for 16 years. She was a proud member/chaperone of their advanced touring ensemble for 6 international tours, and enjoyed some training with Dr. Suzuki in Australia. After a music education degree from BGSU in Ohio, Ms. Vari received her Master’s Degree in Suzuki Pedagogy from Sandy Reuning and Ithaca College. She enjoyed teaching for 3 years with Sally Gross and the Suzuki String School of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, followed by being a partner of Boulder Suzuki Strings, led by Amy Gesmer-Packman, for 6 years. Ms. Vari now directs the Suzuki Strings of Denver, where private and group Suzuki Violin lessons as well as Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes are offered. She was co-coordinator of the SYOA orchestras at the ‘08 & ‘10 SAA Conferences.

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