Janai Fuller, violin

Janai Fuller holds a degree in music education and a master’s in violin performance. She has studied Suzuki pedagogy in Matsumoto, Japan with Shinichi Suzuki. Her U.S. Suzuki education has included institutes with John Kendall, Lorraine Fink, Doris Preucil and others. Many of her students have gone on to major in music and have teaching and playing careers. Janai plays in the Auburn Symphony and Quartet Con Brio.

Leah Hoffman, violin and viola

Leah Hoffman has been teaching at the Suzuki Institute of Seattle since 2006. She is an active member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and has completed Suzuki training courses with Cathy Lee, Allen Lieb, Joseph Kaminsky, Joanne Melvin and Judy Bossuat. Leah is the viola coach for the summer camp Marrowstone in the City. From 2006-2011 Leah was a sectional coach for the Seattle Youth Symphony's Debut and Junior Symphonies. Leah is a former member of the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas in Miami Beach, Florida. She earned her Master's degree in viola performance from Rice University and her Bachelor's degree in viola performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Colleen Kennedy, piano

Colleen Kennedy joined the Suzuki Institute in 2002. She holds an M.A. in Piano Performance from the University of Washington. She has performed twice with the Honolulu Symphony, as well as locally with the Eastside Symphony and the Federal Way Philharmonic. Colleen is a recipient of the Hawaii Morning Music Club scholarship award and was a finalist for the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle Award Tour Competition. A former board member of the Seattle Music Teachers Association (SMTA), her students have won honors in state adjudication festivals.

As a collaborative artist, Colleen has partnered with a diverse group of performers, ranging from opera singers, actors, church choirs, string and brass players, and most memorably, a band specializing in movie theme songs of the 70's and 80's.

Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Colleen began piano lessons at the age of 6 and at 12 began studying with acclaimed teacher and concert artist Ellen Masaki. Colleen credits her early exposure to music wtih helping her develop creativity and confidence, and is committed to providing a parent-inclusive environment in which students can discover and express their innate musical abilities.

Hilary Lim, piano

Hilary Lim received her BM degree in piano performance along with a minor in education from the University of Washington, where she studied with Dr. Patricia Michaelian and Dr. Nancy Jang. She has also studied early pianos and performance practice with Dr. George Bozarth. Hilary has collaborated with instrumentalists and vocalists around the Seattle area. She has also worked with the University of Washington drama department as a pianist. Hilary has adjudicated for the Seattle Federated Music Teachers' Festival and has coached at the Vivace Chamber Music camp.Hilary's students frequently comment on her compassionate and gentle style of coaching, and her fun sense of humor. She enjoys the unique creativity that music offers, and loves working with students of all ages to discover, perform, and enjoy music.

Sharon Miller, violin

Sharon Miller earned her bachelor's music degree from Indiana University. After moving to Seattle in 1976, she began her Suzuki training. She has studied with William Starr, John Kendall, Cathy Lee and Mihoko Hirata. She has also attended various teacher training institutes over the years. Many of her students have performed in the Seattle Youth and Cascade Youth Symphony programs. Some students have gone on to major in music in college. She has performed with the Bellevue Philharmonic and continues performs at her church. She also was a Suzuki parent for her three grown children. When not teaching she likes to quilt, read and travel.

Linda Peterson, violin

Linda Peterson, violin Linda earned a BA in Music Education and a MA in Violin Performance. She studied Suzuki pedagogy with Shinichi Suzuki, Yuko Mori, John Kendall, Mark Bjork and numerous other clinicians. During her training she observed weekly lessons given by Miss Aruga and Tove Detrekoy.

Linda is a frequent clinician at the Washington State Suzuki Festival. Prior to joining the Suzuki Institute of Seattle, she maintained a large, private studio and was active in the local home school community. Her former students have been regional Solo and Ensemble winners, pursued music majors at universities, earned positions in professional orchestras and became Suzuki teachers.

She enjoys the opportunity of taking students on the journey of learning violin and the many life lessons that violin study teaches.

Meg Risso, cello

Meg Risso grew up in the Seattle area, playing in every Seattle Youth Symphony orchestra and studying with Ray Davis. She graduated from Oberlin with a degree in Music Performance, studying under Hans Jensen and Peter Rejto and lingered in the Midwest to play with the Oakley Street Cello Ensemble in Chicago. Now back in Seattle, Meg teaches cello, adjudicates at Solo & Ensemble festivals, and coaches cello for Marrowstone in the City, Seattle Youth Symphony's Symphonette Orchestra, and for several local high schools. Meg plays with the Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra and for various solo and group gigs around town. Meg has worked with kids musically and academically for the last 13 years. She loves fostering confidence through the process of learning music and sharing her passion for cello with all of her students.

Dalia Taylor, sing & play

Since 1999, Dalia Taylor has directed and taught the Suzuki Institute's Sing & Play program, a respected and popular pre-K music course in the Seattle area. Ms.Taylor has also provided administrative support for the Institute and was director and registrar of the annual camp at Seabeck for many years.

Dalia sings with the Northwest Chamber Chorus where she is soprano section leader and soloist. Dalia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western Washington University with a minor in Music.

Diane Williams, piano

Diane Williams has headed the piano department at the Suzuki Institute of Seattle for over 30 years. She is a graduate from the University of Washington in Music Education where she studied piano under Randolph Hokanson and harpsichord under Prithee da Silva and Silvia Kind. She is a founding faculty member of the original institute and worked alongside those ambassadors trained directly by Dr. Suzuki in Japan. Ms Williams strives to enrich her students' lives with piano and a love for music while maintaining musical excellence.

As a professional musician, Ms. Williams accompanies both vocal and instrumental soloists and has composed musical scores for amateur theatre. She has been the organist, pianist, and choir director at the Green Lake United Methodist Church for 25+ years. She is an active member of MTNA, WSMTA, and SMTA and enters her students in festivals and competitions, frequently winning awards.

Student Competitions and Awards:
WA State Piano Adjudications**
Seattle Young Artist Music Festival**
NW Chopin Festival*
University of Puget Sound Concerto Competition*
Central Washington University Sonata/Sonatina Festival*
Simon Fiset Piano Competition*
WA State Young Composers Project*
Simon Fiset Composition Contest*
NW Federation of Musicians Composition Contest*

*first place winners
**excellence awards