Susan Beth Barak

Susan Beth Barak, BA (Hons), MEd

A proud Canadian since 2002, Susan Beth Barak grew up in proximity to New York City and was privileged to study violin and viola with many illustrious American teachers including Mary Canberg, Stanley Bednar (Chair of the String Dept. at Manhattan School of Music, Pre-College), Harold Coletta, Peter Marsh, Bruce Berg, Erick Friedman, Janet Brady, and Roberta Crawford. She has performed internationally with a wide variety of orchestras and chamber groups and is a frequent soloist in York Region, Ontario.

A founding member of the York Chamber Ensemble, she led the organization of YCE’s inaugural Annual Youth Concert in 2004, and the Baroque for Belinda fundraiser for Belinda’s Place [York Region’s first dedicated women’s shelter] in 2012. An active member of the Toronto Musicians Association (TMA), Local 149 of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Susan is also a certified to teach by the Royal Conservatory of Music. A member of both the American and Canadian Viola Society, she serves as Chair of the AVS’s Non-Discrimination Committee and is a District Representative for the SAO.

Susan has taught in educational settings from pre-schools through university, and adult programs through the Toronto and York Region District School Boards. As well as an enthusiastic music teacher and lifelong student, Susan is a mother of four, published writer, certified Life Skills Coach, registered yoga teacher (CYA-RYT 300), and advocate for human rights and social justice with a focus on disability. She is founding Artistic Director of the York Region branch of If Music Be the Food.