Mr. Andre Pretzel

Having been teaching violin, viola, and strings for over 15 years, I believe anyone can learn how to play an instrument and that it can bring many positives to our lives, both on personal and social aspects.

I was born and raised in Sao Paulo, the largest urban center in Brazil, where I built most of my education and professional background, having worked for over 10 years as a professional musician and music teacher. I am a Bachelor of Music with a major in Viola from Sao Paulo University, the most prominent educational institution in Brazil, and a Graduate Certificate in Music Education from Faculdade Cantareira. As a string teacher, I have worked in two of the biggest social programs in Brazil (SESC and Guri Project), whose goal is to bring musical education and culture to underprivileged Brazilians. At Guri Project, I have taught children and teenagers ranging from 6 to 18 years of age, and at SESC mostly with teenagers and adults, supporting them in their quest to begin a new phase in their lives where they could find their passion for music.

My Suzuki experience began when I was searching for a method that resonated with my beliefs, and my past training include institutes, workshops, masterclass and practicum with experienced teacher trainers from Suzuki American Association—SAA, such as Marilyn O’Boyle, Nancy Lokken, Shinobu Saito, Eduardo Ludueña, Amy Matherly, Martha Shackford, Caroline Fraser and Ann Montzka-Smelser. With that background, I eventually co-founded the first Suzuki Method school in Sao Paulo city.

I moved to Halifax/NS in 2016 to teach Suzuki violin at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, where its offered a wide range of activities and possibilities of collaboration between teachers and students.

As a musician, I have played in many groups and orchestras of different genres in Brazil, ranging from classical to rock. As a member of Juiz de Fora Baroque Orchestra, I performed several recordings using antique instruments.

In Halifax, I’m performing regularly with Chebucto Symphony Orchestra, Great Harbour Ensemble, Nova Sinfonia Orchestra, Rejouissance Early Music Ensemble and with different ensemble formation from the Halifax Institute Of Traditional and Early Music (HITEM) where I’m taking advanced baroque violin training and working as instructor with beginner groups.

In Halifax, I’m performing regularly with Nova Sinfonia Orchestra, the Maritime Conservatory Baroque Ensemble, Rejouissance Early Music Ensemble and Desencontros Casuais ( a band dedicated to Brazilian music in Nova Scotia)

My goal as a music teacher is to allow students to uncover their true talents. Anyone can play on a beautiful tone, tuning, and musicality, experiencing the joy of learning music!

Let us learn and play