Teacher Bios

Jeanne Drumm, piano, Explore

Jeanne Drumm is a former student of the Suzuki Institute of Seattle, having studied piano, violin, viola, and flute.  She has been teaching for over 30 years, and accompanying for 35 years. She received her Bachelor and Master of Music in piano performance from the University of Washington, where she studied with Patricia Michaelian and Craig Sheppard. Jeanne holds a DMA from New England Conservatory, where she was also a teaching assistant, class piano teacher, and office manager of the Music History department.

She is delighted to be back in Washington after having a music studio in Massachusetts for 16 years. Dr. Drumm has received Suzuki training from Diane Williams, and is continuing her training through SAA. Jeanne is a frequent adjudicator, coach, and accompanist, and can be heard playing with the Tacoma Symphony. Many of her students have gone on to pursue music in college, either as professionals or amateur musicians.

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.

Rose Hashimoto, violin and viola

Rose Hashimoto grew up in Seattle and got her start studying viola and piano at the Suzuki Institute of Seattle. She recently returned to Seattle after a long stint in New York City. Rose was a member of the string orchestra Shattered Glass Ensemble and the Thalia Quartet, who served as Quartet in the Community for the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition. She has performed as a guest with two-time Grammy nominee A Far Cry, Trio Cleonice, the Aeolus Quartet, and the Argus Quartet. Rose has performed around the world in major venues and at music festivals including Birdfoot, Manchester Summer Chamber Music, Lucerne, Yellow Barn, Taos, and Kneisel Hall. Rose is co-founder of Listen Closely, an organization dedicated to building community in upper Manhattan through music.

Rose earned a B.M. from Juilliard and a M.M. and Professional Studies Diploma from Mannes College. She completed the two year Suzuki Teacher Training program at the School for Strings in New York. Rose previously served on the faculty of the Lucy Moses School at the Kaufman Music Center, the Preparatory Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, and the El Sistema-inspired programs Upbeat NYC and Harmony Program.

Michael King, cello

Cellist Michael King is a native of Spartanburg, SC and is currently pursuing a DMA at UW. Michael has performed both solo and chamber music across the US as part of the Oregano String Quartet and the Mordecai Cello Quartet. He received a BM in Music Performance from the University of South Carolina where he was awarded the Cello Fund Award, an MM in Music Performance from The University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy from The University of Denver where he was the teaching assistant to Richard Slavich. Michael has appeared in recitals and orchestras across the US. He has attended summer festivals such as the National Music Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and The Meadowmount School for Strings. His teachers include Robert Jesselson, Brooks Whitehouse, Melissa Kraut, Richard Slavich, Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir, and Carol Tarr.

Kevin Leiferman, cello

Cellist Kevin Leiferman grew up in Billings Montana and went on to receive a BM Performance from the University of Montana, an MM Performance from Miami University, and Certificates in Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from the University of Denver.  His primary teachers have included Dr. Nancy Critelli, Fern Glass-Boyd, Pansy Chang, Richard Slavich, Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir and Carol Tarr.  Kevin is freelance cellist in the greater Seattle area, a regular member of the North Corner Chamber Orchestra(NOCCO) and also coaches sectionals for the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras. Kevin is a passionate educator who has been praised for his patience and the fun atmosphere that he sets in his studio.

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. Hilary was raised in the Suzuki program, and has studied Suzuki pedagogy with Michi North, Pam Chang, and Diane Williams. She has collaborated with instrumentalists and vocalists around the Seattle area, and accompanies instrumental recitals frequently. Hilary has adjudicated for the Seattle Federated Music Teachers Festival and is a chamber music coach at Vivace Chamber Players. 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 explore and discover a lasting enjoyment of music.

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.