ASSI Faculty

List of 9 items.

• Cathryn Lee (CA) - Violin

  San Francisco-based violin teacher Cathryn S. Lee has taught families and teachers around the world since 1976. She is respected for teaching all ages and levels using her detailed and practical "best of both worlds" approach inspired by her studies with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and her "traditional" studies with concert artist Dame Camilla Wicks. As a teacher trainer, Cathryn has taught and lectured at SAA National conferences, Suzuki Teacher Trainer Conference in 2009 and most recently at the 16th World Conference in 2013. Cathryn is the author of Bow Exercises, Bow Strokes, and the Bow Stroke Excerpts books. In 1977, Cathryn founded the Suzuki Music Studio of San Francisco where she continues to teach students and train teachers. Cathryn has a B.A. in Performance and Composition, M.A. in Performance from San Francisco College for Women and a teaching certificate from the Talent Education Institute in Japan. 
  
  

• Connie Hadlock (ID) - Violin

  Connie Hadlock of Caldwell, Idaho began teaching in 1977 under the founder of the Idaho Suzuki Institute, June Itami. In 2005, she started the first orchestra at her high school Alma Mater. The taught for three years in the Caldwell school district, 5th-8th grade orchestras. She has served on the faculty at Suzuki Institutes in Utah, California, Montana, and Idaho. During the past 30 years, she has served as both co-director and director of the Idaho Suzuki Institute, now in it's 43rd year and has been an advisor/coach for a high school auxiliary/dance team. Connie continues teaching violin/viola lessons in her private studio as well as performing with various ensembles and the Symphonia at the College of Idaho. She enjoys traveling the country and spending time with her 22 grandchildren.
  
  

• Irene Mitchell (TX) - Violin/Viola

  Irene Mitchell was fortunate to experience a diversity of cultures in her youth, living in ten countries throughout Latin America, Europe and Asia. This shaped her appreciation for a wide range of music, eventually leading her to earn a B.M. and MME at the University of North Texas. After exploring theatre, violin performance and orchestral conducting, she discovered her life-long passion in teaching the Suzuki method. Irene studied twice with Dr. Shin'ichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan; returning to establish Suzuki Strings of Dallas in 1981. Irene teaches violin and viola in her home studio in Dallas, TX, and serves as a clinician for Suzuki programs throughout the world.
  
  

• James Hutchins (MD) - Violin

  James Hutchins lives in Silver Spring, Maryland. he grew up in the Suzuki Method, has been a Suzuki teacher for nearly 20 years and is a proud Suzuki dad. James is a registered teacher trainer who has taught workshops, institutes, and classes around he world, including South Korea, Australia, Iceland, Lithuania, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and in over 25 states. His studio has performed for former First Lady and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, at the White House, at the National Zoo, the U.S. Capitol, Maryland State Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, the National Aquarium, on the Millennium Stage, and with the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center. James has also had the honor of performing for Dr. and Mrs. Suzuki at their home in Japan. In 2014, he was the Violin Coordinator for the SAA conference. 
  
  

• Philip von Malthazan (LA) - Cello

  Cellist Philip von Maltzahn has been praised for his soaring tone by the Classical Voice of North Carolina and for brilliantly played solos in a review by the LA Times. As a member of the Degas Quartet, he performed at many of the finest concert venues across the United States from 2002 - 2009. Philip has taught cello and coached chamber music at the Eastman School of Music, Syracuse University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Appalachian State University. He was Assistant Principal Cello of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra from 2006 - 2001. During the Degas Quartet's Hickory Metro Residency from 2003 to 2006, he also served as Principal Cello of the Western Piedmont Symphony. Mr. von Maltzahn studied at Indiana University with Tsutsumi and Janos Starker. Following his undergraduate studies in Bloomington, he completed his Masters of Music at the Eastman School of Music. He began his studies on the cello with Dr. Elizabeth Morrow in Arlington, Texas. 
  
  

• Daniel Gee

• Anya Burgess (LA) - Fiddle

  Anya Burgess is a graduate of Indiana University's violin making program, and has been servicing the needs of string players in South Louisiana since 2002. From her shop, SOLA Violins, in downtown Lafayette, LA, she sells, rents, and repairs violins, violas, cellos, and bows and accessories. Anya enjoys working with players of all ages and abilities, from students to professionals, Classical to Cajun. Anya also plays the fiddle professionally with two Grammy-nominated Cajun bands, the Magnolia Sisters and Bonsoir Catin. Her love of playing violin is a great compliment to her love of building and working on stringed instruments. She is a member of the Violin Society of America and the Grammy's Recording Academy.
  
  

• Christine Balfa (LA) - Fiddle

  Christine Balfa is one of Cajun music's most talented and revered vocalists and guitar players. She began playing music as a teenager with her father, Dewey Balfa, and has continued her family legacy in a major way. Christine is founding director of the non-profit organization, Louisiana Folk Roots, an organization dedicated to preserving Louisiana's valuable cultural landscape. Christine leads the powerhouse Cajun band, Balfa Toujours, and plays rhythm guitar with Grammy-nominated band, Bonsoir Catin. She is fluent in Cajun French and in 2014 obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in French Studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Christine teaches the ASO&C Do-Re-ME! program at Church Point Elementary, Central Rayne Kindergarten, Crowley Kindergarten, and Epiphany Day School. 
  
  

• Bonnie Camos (LA) - Art

  Bonnie Camos is a visual artist, curator, arts educator, and native of Lafayette, LA. For 25 years, Bonnie has been professionally exhibiting her art and actively participating in the cultural communities where she resides, having served on the boards of the Acadiana Arts Council and the Louisiana Crafts Guild. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was an artist in residence at Louisiana Artworks in New Orleans, March 2007. Bonnie was chosen as an official artist for Festival International de Louisiane in collaboration with Craig “Whoojoo” McCullen to create the official art piece and poster for the year 2010. She also created the “Games of Acadiana” poster in 2012 for the Miles’ Perret Cancer Services Center. Her work shifts from acrylics to her current images using encaustic and mixed media assemblages. Bonnie teaches children’s art classes in addition to conducting summer arts programs for the Children’s Museum of Acadiana and the Acadiana Symphony cultural camp.