Ms. Carissa Klopfenstein

Ms. Klopfenstein began studying Suzuki violin at the age of 6 and Suzuki piano at the age of 7. Ms. Klopfenstein competed in and won awards and competitions in her hometown—Peoria, Illinois. She was a member of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony, played with the orchestra at Bradley University, and the Peoria Symphony. Ms. Klopfenstein studied at the collegiate level with Paula Sokol-Elliot of Ann Arbor Michigan, received her Suzuki Pedagogy training with Mr. Edward Kreitman of Chicago, IL and her bachelor in Music from Thomas Edison State University, in Trenton, New Jersey. In addition to her classical training, Ms. Klopfenstein is also a Fiddle Champion in Illinois and Ohio and plays Celtic Fiddle. Ms. Klopfenstein has 21 years of teaching experience working with youth and adults of all ages and ability levels. One of Ms. Klopfenstein’s core teaching principles is that music is a gift that keeps giving. All students are encouraged to share their music via 2 recitals a year—one in December and one in May. Students have the option to participate in performing for retirement facilities (COVID permitting). Contact Ms. Klopfenstein for more information and to schedule lessons.