Atlanta Suzuki Institute

Suzuki teachers—if you need a Teaching Strategies course (now a prerequisite for Core Unit 3), Edward Kreitman is offering it online.

Register now to explore your teaching in a supportive community.

Any teachers planning to begin Book 1 training this summer during institute season—get a head start by completing the required Every Child Can course in April, with Edward Kreitman.

We are delighted to welcome Sarah Smale back to the faculty for the Atlanta Suzuki Institute!

Sarah brings a wealth of international performing and teaching experience to our institute. She received her BA (Hons.) in Viola Performance from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and continued postgraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, earning a Postgraduate Diploma in Orchestral Training. She later completed her MM in Viola Performance at the The Hartt School, where she studied with and assisted the Emerson String Quartet.

An accomplished orchestral musician, Sarah has performed as principal viola with several ensembles, recorded for the BBC and Radio Suisse, and spent many years performing with the Orchestre des Jardins Musicaux in Switzerland. Currently the Associate Director of the Suzuki Music Schools, she is also a frequent guest teacher at Suzuki Institutes and educational workshops around the country. We are thrilled to have her return to Atlanta in 2026!

As part of our Black History Month Georgia Artists Spotlight, we are honored to celebrate Angelica Hairston—a globally recognized harpist, educator, and advocate whose work blends artistry, wellness, and equity.

Based in Atlanta, Angelica’s performances span international stages and collaborations, from the Sphinx Organization to research and performance at the University of Ghana, and concerto appearances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, and Montgomery Symphony Orchestra.

Through founding Challenge the Stats and her work with the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble, Angelica continues to expand access and representation in the arts. Her impact has been recognized by Atlanta Magazine, and she has presented at institutions including Morehouse College and Spelman College.

A visionary artist and change maker, Angelica exemplifies how music can inspire healing, empowerment, and lasting cultural impact.

Learn more about Angelica Hairston here!

https://www.angelicahairston.com

We’re excited to welcome back Pablo Issa to the 2026 Atlanta Suzuki Institute faculty!

Based in Hartford, Pablo is an accomplished cellist and member of the Azul String Quartet, performing widely across the United States, South America, and Europe as both an artist and educator. A dedicated teacher, he serves on the faculty of the University of Hartford Community Division and co-directs the Hartt Suzuki Institute, while also contributing his expertise to the Ithaca Suzuki Institute.

Pablo completed his Long-Term Suzuki training at School for Strings and studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, Baldwin Wallace University, and the University of Hartford, with support from Fundación Arnoldo Schwimmer in his native Bolivia.

We are thrilled to have Pablo back at the Institute, where his artistry, warmth, and commitment to student growth continue to inspire our community.

As part of our Black History Month spotlight series, the Atlanta Suzuki Institute is honored to recognize the inspiring work of Dantes Rameau, whose vision continues to transform lives through music.

While studying at the Yale School of Music, Dantes Rameau discovered his passion for using music as a pathway to opportunity. Teaching public school students in New Haven, he saw firsthand how environment and access shape a child’s belief in their own potential. Inspired by his multicultural upbringing and the support he received from his family, he became determined to create those same opportunities for others.

In 2010, he co-founded the Atlanta Music Project, a tuition-free program built not only to provide high-quality music instruction, but to close gaps in arts access and empower underserved youth across Atlanta. What began with small after-school ensembles has grown into a thriving community serving hundreds of students each year with instruments, mentorship, and performance opportunities.

Rameau’s work reminds us that music education can shape confidence, leadership, and entire communities. By creating environments where students see role models who look like them—and where their artistry is valued—programs like the Atlanta Music Project continue to redefine what is possible, both on and off the stage alongside institutions like the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

We celebrate Dantes Rameau and the lasting impact of his vision on the next generation of musicians.

Don’t miss your opportunity to lock in the best rate and secure your 2026 Atlanta Suzuki Institute spot! Register now before rates go up!

We are thrilled to welcome Kristen Harris back to the Atlanta Suzuki Institute this year! Based in Columbia, SC, Kristen is an accomplished violinist, fiddler, and dedicated educator who serves as Violin Coordinator at the Suzuki Academy of Columbia and teaches Violin Pedagogy and String Methods at the University of South Carolina. Throughout her teaching career, she has inspired students from preschool through the teenage years, many of whom have gone on to excel in regional and all-state orchestras as well as major fiddle competitions.

Kristen’s musical journey began as a Suzuki violin student and has grown into a dynamic performing career across multiple genres. A versatile multi-instrumentalist and improviser, she tours nationally and internationally, performing and recording music ranging from classical to jazz, bluegrass, and rock. She regularly performs with the Americana group Boomtown Trio and the jazz band Flat Out Strangers.

A two-time South Carolina State Fiddle Champion, Kristen was named 2019 Artist of the Year by Jasper Magazine and released her acclaimed solo fiddle album Borger Wiggle in 2020. Her passion for both performance and education makes her an inspiring member of our faculty, and we are excited to have her return to work with our students and families again this year!

During Black History Month, we are especially proud to spotlight upcoming performances by Sphinx Virtuosi, a dynamic and inspiring self-conducted chamber orchestra and the flagship ensemble of the Sphinx Organization. Comprised of Black and Latino artists representing the highest level of musicianship in the United States, Sphinx Virtuosi continues to expand the reach of classical music through artistic excellence, innovative programming, and meaningful community engagement.

Members of the ensemble are accomplished soloists, chamber musicians, and educators who have appeared with major orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Beyond the concert stage, they serve as artist-citizens, leading impactful initiatives that foster deep engagement with communities nationwide.

Sphinx Virtuosi has collaborated with renowned artists including Terence Blanchard, Denyce Graves, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Damien Sneed, Will Liverman, J’Nai Bridges, Abel Selaocoe, and Davóne Tines, and has also appeared alongside cultural icons such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z, including national broadcasts on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Praised by The New York Times as “top-notch… more essential at this moment than ever,” and recognized by The Strad for their “elegant ascent into the upper ranks of string orchestras,” the ensemble continues to captivate audiences across the country, including their celebrated annual appearances at Carnegie Hall. Their debut album Songs for Our Times on Deutsche Grammophon was praised by Gramophone for its polished and passionate artistry.

Join us for two upcoming performances!

February 19 | 8:00 PM
Schwartz Center for Performing Arts – Atlanta

February 21 | 7:30 PM
UGA Performing Arts Center – Athens

https://www.sphinxmusic.org/sphinx-virtuosi-season

We invite you to experience the extraordinary artistry and powerful musical storytelling of Sphinx Virtuosi, as their work continues to celebrate culture, excellence, and connection through music.

Jessica Stinson is an exceptional Georgia artist whose work as a performer, educator, and advocate continues to enrich the musical life of Atlanta and beyond. We were truly honored to welcome her as a guest artist at the Atlanta Suzuki Institute last year, where her artistry, insight, and generosity left a lasting impression on our students and families.

Jessica has built an inspiring career as a violinist and chamber musician. She is a member of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra and regularly performs with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. Her artistic versatility was recently showcased through her debut at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City, performing with jazz composer Russell Gunn.

As a passionate educator, Jessica serves as Visiting Lecturer of Violin at Georgia State University, and for over a decade she has helped guide the next generation of musicians. Her students have earned placements in leading youth orchestras, and she has presented masterclasses for major institutions across the country.

Beyond the stage and classroom, Jessica is also a champion for diversity and inclusion in classical music. She is a founding member of Mosaic Quartet, an ensemble committed to expanding representation and creating space for new voices in the arts. She also performs widely across Atlanta with Ensemble ATL and the Magnolia String Quartet.

In honor of Black History Month, we proudly celebrate Jessica Stinson and her lasting impact on Georgia’s artistic community.

We welcome you to join us for a Suzuki Music Workshop Weekend—a special gathering for young musicians and their families nestled in the heart of the North Georgia mountains.

This immersive weekend offers Suzuki students the chance to deepen their skills through masterclasses, group lessons, enrichment activities, and performances—all while building lifelong memories in a beautiful, supportive environment.

Come play, learn, and grow with us this fall!
Learn more: http://www.georgiasuzuki.org/upcoming-events.html