Ms. Susan E. Raguse

Violin Teacher

Susan Raguse

SAA Member

Contact

Jacksonville, FL
231-357-3938
[javascript protected email address]
jacksonvillesuzukiviolins.com

Susan Raguse fell in love with the violin at a young age and begged her parents to let her play in the school orchestra. She proudly showed up with her violin in hand for orchestra class, never realizing where those first scratchy notes would lead her.

During high school, she studied violin with Aaron Krosnick at Jacksonville University. Under the guidance of Donald Papenbrock, she was principal first violin of the Jacksonville Youth Symphony and her school orchestras.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Music/Performance from the University of Miami, where she studied with George Zazofsky and Louis Krasner. She studied Suzuki pedagogy through Book 8 with Edward Kreitman and Thomas Wermuth, as well as early books with Doris Preucil, Sonja Zeithamel, and other noted Suzuki educators. In addition, she holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Loyola University Chicago.

Ms. Raguse recently returned to her home town of Jacksonville and has established a new violin studio in Avondale. She has taught Suzuki violin for 34 years, the past 24 years in Traverse City, Michigan. In addition to teaching private and group lessons, she co-founded two string orchestras, played in the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, and the Peninsula String Trio. She taught and served as teaching assistant for ten years to Edward Kreitman, at the Western Springs School of Talent Education (WSSTE) in the Chicago area. Her first teaching position was at the Sisters of St. Joseph School in La Grange Park, IL. She was also a summer faculty member of the American Suzuki Institute (University of Wisconsin/Stevens Point) for ten years. As well, she designed and implemented a violin group class program in collaboration with the local parochial schools.

Former students of Ms. Raguse have continued their music studies at the University of Michigan, Eastman School of Music, DePaul University, Wheaton College, and other noted colleges and universities. Others have pursued careers in medicine, engineering, geology, dance, and social work.

Ms. Raguse is married to renowned bow maker, Douglas Raguse. Their three grown children studied Suzuki Violin, Piano, and Flute. She enjoys rowing, biking, scuba diving, playing piano with her 4 year old granddaughter, and humming classical music to her 5 month old twin grandchildren.

www.jacksonvillesuzukiviolins.com