Heart-Strings Talent Education

Susan Beth Barak, MEd, BA (Hons), OCELT, RMT, CYA-RYT300

Ontario Registered Music Teacher for violin and viola: Certified/Registered Suzuki, Royal Conservatory, Mark O'Connor Fiddle Method, Wee Violin; Member TMA, ORMTA, SAA, SAO, AVS/CVS

Gold Winner, 2020 Toronto Star Readers' Choice Award, Best Music Instructor!

A proud Canadian since 2002, Susan Beth Barak grew up in proximity to New York City and was privileged to study violin and viola with many illustrious American teachers. She has performed internationally with a wide variety of orchestras and chamber groups, and is a frequent soloist in York Region, Ontario. Founding Concertmaster and Artistic Director of the York Chamber Ensemble, she led the organization of YCE’s inaugural Annual Youth Concert in 2004, and the Baroque for Belinda fundraiser for Belinda’s Place [York Region’s first dedicated women’s shelter] in 2012. Susan has performed with other notable groups including Glimmerglass Opera and Symphony in the Barn. In addition to private lessons, Susan has taught groups in educational settings from pre-schools through university, and adult programs in the Toronto and York Region District School Boards. Susan is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and has served as Chair of the AVS Anti-Discrimination Committee, 905 North Area Representative of the SAO, and President of the Newmarket & Area branch of ORMTA. At Heart-Strings, everyone is welcome and "Every Body Can!"  

Suzuki Teacher Training includes:

Suzuki Principles in Action with Gail Lange in Ottawa, Ontario   

Violin Book 1 with Edward Kreitman in Los Angeles (LASI)

Violin Books 2 & 3 with Joanne Melvin in Chicago (CSI)

Violin Book 4 with Paule Barsalou at Southwest Ontario Suzuki Institute (SOSI)

Violin Book 5 with Margot Jewell in Montreal (ISM)

Violin Book 6 with Liz Arbus in Los Angeles (LASI) 

Violin Books 7, 8, 9 & 10 with Ann Montzka Smelser in Chicago (CSI)

Revisiting Book 1 with the Viola in Mind with Rolando Freitag, SOSI

Viola Books 4 & 5 with April Losey in Ithaca, New York (ICSI)

Viola Book 7 with William Preucil, Sr. in Chicago (CSI)

Violin Practicum Unit with Paule Barsalou in Montreal (ISM)

Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) Stage 1 - London, ON

Enrichment Courses:

Alexander Technique - Wendy Waggener (LASI)

Viola Books 2 -3 Enrichment - Elizabeth Stuen-Walker       

Developing the Ear from the First Lesson - Teri Einfeldt

Pre-Twinkle Power - Mark Mutter

Teaching Rhythm - Amy Mather 

Note-reading and Musicianship (Cello) - Beth Cantrell

Viola Technique and Pedagogy with Julia Hardie, SOSI

Working with Parents with Sarah Bylander Montzka at LASI

Beyond the Suzuki Repertoire with Brain Lewis at SOSI