About Our Suzuki Teacher Trainers
Kirsten Marshall, violin
Known throughout the Americas for her dynamic energy and inspired work with young musicians, violinist Kirsten Marshall is Director of the Orchestral Program and a violin faculty member of Ithaca Suzuki Music Education. She is an active violinist in the Ithaca area and is a member (David and Lesli Sagan chair ) of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. Ms. Marshall is conductor and co-founder of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra, where she brings Suzuki philosophy to rehearsals and concerts.
Ms. Marshall is a Suzuki Association of the Americas registered Teacher Trainer, teaching graduate studies in Suzuki pedagogy on the faculty of the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Additionally, Ms. Marshall shares her expertise with colleagues and students at summer institutes, professional development seminars and festivals.
Her commitment and dedication to teaching young learners and teachers alike goes beyond lessons. Her focus is on creating a community of lifelong learners that builds collaboration and character through the pursuit of artistry in music at every level. Ms. Marshall’s keen insight into how students and teacher participants learn and process music leads to passionate performance, engaging both musicians and audience.
Zachary Sweet, cello
Zachary Sweet is a registered Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. He currently teaches cello at Nazareth University and Binghamton University, and serves on the faculty of Ithaca Suzuki Music Education. Nationally, he is in demand as a clinician, having led workshops, masterclasses, and institutes across the United States and Canada.
He performs extensively throughout the Tri-State area as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. Zachary is a core member of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, and performs regularly with the Society for New Music and the Nazareth Piano Trio.
Zachary earned his master’s degree in performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music in 2006, during which time he was also a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival. At Eastman, he performed as a member of the Eastman Chamber Society, served as principal cellist of Eastman Philharmonia, the Eastman Chamber Orchestra, and the Eastman Opera Orchestra, and studied chamber music with the Ying Quartet, Dr. Jean Barr, Richard Kilmer, and Dr. Kenneth Grant. His principal cello instructors have been Alan Harris, Kathy Kemp, and Carol Vizzini.
As an educator, Zachary has spent the past 20 years exploring music development in young children. In 2009, he completed long-term Suzuki training at the School for Strings with Pamela Devenport, and has continued further study with Tanya Carey, Carey Cheney, Sally Gross, Carey Beth Hockett, and Rick Mooney.
In addition, Zachary is an active Music Together® instructor, leading classes for Mixed Ages, Babies, Big Kids, and Preschools. In January 2015, he was awarded Music Together Certification Level II status for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education—an honor granted by the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, NJ, under Founding Director Kenneth K. Guilmartin.
Zachary performs on the 2001 “Willow Cello” by Jim McKean and a 1999 bow by Ron Forrester.