Mrs. Helen G. Bryenton

I did my Masters in Suzuki Pedagogy at the University of Tennessee, studying with teacher trainer Debbie Goolsby.

Growing up, I was a Suzuki student, myself. I started with Craig Timmerman when I was 5. I attended the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, WI, every summer from age 9 through age 18. And I studied for several of my teenage summers with Mark Bjork at the MacPhail Center in Minneapolis, MN.

I went to Smith College in Northampton, MA, where I majored in Modern European Studies and minored in literary journalism. While at Smith, I also studied violin intensively with Philipp Naegele for all four years and gave 3.5 solo recitals.

After graduation, I was accepted into the New England Conservatory In my first semester there, I was chosen to be the concertmaster of the orchestra.

When my husband got a job playing in the Knoxville Symphony (TN), I transferred to the University of Tennessee and changed the focus of my Masters degree to Suzuki Pedagogy. I also won an audition to play in the Knoxville Symphony myself.

In 1991, I was appointed concertmaster of the Johnson City Symphony (TN), and I continue with them to this day. In addition, I sub with the Knoxville Symphony, play freelance for church gigs and weddings and parties, and I maintain a medium-sized studio of students ranging from ages 3 to 18 as well as a couple of adults.

Raising my 2 boys, I was their Suzuki parent (violin, cello, piano, organ), so I’ve experienced all 3 sides of the Suzuki triangle: student, teacher, and parent.