Viola & Violin Studio of Kathy Almquist

Originally from Boston, I completed my Bachelor Studies at The Hartt School of Music and Master Studies at Yale where I had the good fortune to study with some fabulous violists/teachers including Scott Nickrenz, Lawrence Dutton, Rosemary Glyde and Jesse Levine.  Independent studies led me to Harold Coletta and Patricia McCarty.

For nearly a decade I was a member of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.  Other orchestra experience includes Waterbury (CT) Symphony where I was principal violist, as a substitute player for the Rhode Island Philharmonic and the National Opera of Finland in Helsinki. I have enjoyed additional performing as a freelance chamber music player and as a soloist with the Royal Oak (MI) Symphony.

Teaching and Suzuki training came later - long term training with both Teri and David Einfeldt in addition to short term training with Carol Smith, Carrie Reuning and Betsy Stuen-Walker.  I have taught in different environments, among them the Hartt School Community Division, The Suzuki School of Newton, viola faculty and Upper String Coordinator of the Intensive Community Program of the Boston Youth Symphony, as well as various Suzuki Institutes and workshops.  My latest teaching adventure is returning to my home studio in Ann Arbor after two years of teaching in Dallas.  I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of my teaching, not only individual viola and violin lessons but also group classes, chamber music, and music theory.

I am proud to recognize the accomplishments of my students.  Two of my viola students have been featured on NPR’s “From the Top.”  First stand violists in every orchestra at the Boston Youth Symphony came from my studio during my time in Boston.  Former students have continued as scholarship students at renowned Colleges and Conservatories including Curtis Institute of Music, The Julliard School (both college and pre-college), Harvard University, Amherst College, University of Michigan, The Shepard School of Music, Northwestern University, and Kalamazoo College.