Private Lessons

Dr. Amy Harris is a dedicated violin and viola teacher with over a decade of experience guiding students to success through both Suzuki Talent Education and traditional methods. Her students have earned placement in the Texas All-State Orchestra for the past four years, and she frequently presents tutorials to help others prepare for Region and All-State auditions.

She began violin studies at age three with Peggy Fasing and later studied with renowned teachers including Richard Fuchs (University of Northern Colorado), Piotr Milewski (University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music), and Vincent Frittelli (University of Texas at Austin). Her honors include the Angie Southard Convocation Award, the CCM Chamber Music Award, and Best Instrumental Performance at the Sydney M. Wright Competition.

As a performer, Dr. Harris has played with the Colorado Springs Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, Greeley Philharmonic, and the Austin Symphony. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Texas Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Delta Omicron.

📧 Email: violingrad@gmail.com

John Holguin is a classically trained violist and versatile performer with extensive experience as both an educator and professional musician. He earned his B.M. in Music Education, cum laude, from the University of Texas at El Paso, where he performed with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and other regional ensembles in New Mexico and Mexico. He later completed his Master of Music degree at Boston University, serving as a graduate assistant and orchestra manager while performing throughout New England.

In addition to his orchestral work, John has a strong background in mariachi. He began performing with Mariachi Los Pasajeros in 2001, co-founded Mariachi Boston in 2007, and performed with Mariachi Tamazula in Austin through 2010. Now based in Austin, he continues to perform with area symphonies and teaches private viola and violin lessons.

📧 Email: johnmholguin@gmail.com
🌐 Website: www.johnmholguin.com

Leah Nelson is a dynamic violist, sought-after educator, and arts leader based in Austin, Texas. With a career spanning over two decades, she has built a multifaceted practice as a performer, chamber coach, nonprofit director, and advocate for youth music education.

She earned her Master of Music in Viola Performance from the University of Southern California and her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. As an orchestral player, Leah has performed with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, New West Symphony, and the American Youth Symphony, with whom she toured to Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

An active chamber musician, Leah was a founding member of the Felix and Left Coast String Quartets and has performed on numerous concert series across Texas with classical artists in both established ensembles and project-based settings.

Leah has shared the stage with artists across a wide range of genres, including Yo-Yo Ma, Andrea Bocelli, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She has recorded for film, television, and studio albums, appearing on the soundtracks to the films Bernie and Loving, as well as projects with Austin-based composers and bands such as Black Pumas, Devotchka, Yellowcard, and Nori.

Leah served as both Executive Director and Director of Education for Salon Concerts, where she led the CHAMPS (Chamber Music in Public Schools) program, bringing weekly coaching and performance opportunities to students across the Austin area. She maintains a vibrant private studio and is committed to helping young violists grow with strong fundamentals, artistic expression, and confidence in their musical voice.

📧 Email: leahceleste@gmail.com

Abi Shiman is a passionate violin and viola teacher who helps students connect with their creativity, develop confident musical expression, and build solid technical foundations. She teaches privately, is on faculty at Suzuki Strings of Austin, and serves as a teaching artist with Austin Soundwaves. Abi has completed all 10 core Suzuki training units and integrates the Suzuki philosophy into her teaching at every level.

She is the Concertmaster of the Central Texas Philharmonic and a rotating concertmaster with San Francisco’s conductorless orchestra, One Found Sound. She regularly performs with ensembles across the country and was a founding member of the Amaranth Quartet, which toured, recorded, and led educational workshops from 2013–2018.

Abi believes every student has the ability to succeed and grow through music—and she’s excited to help guide each one on their unique musical journey.

📧 Email: abigail.shiman@gmail.com
🌐 Website: www.abigailshiman.com

Kate Williams is a versatile violin and viola instructor with over 20 years of experience as a performer and educator. Raised in the Texas Hill Country, she began her musical journey at a young age, studying violin, viola, and oboe. As a student, she earned a coveted spot as a TMEA All-State oboist and performed alongside the San Antonio Symphony on violin. She also held leadership roles in several youth orchestras, including YOSA and Hill Country Youth Orchestras.

Kate earned a Full Ride Presidential Scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she performed at venues like Boston Symphony Hall and the Boston Opera House. While at Berklee, she collaborated with artists including Dream Theater, Nobuo Uematsu, and members of the Boston Ballet and BSO, graduating magna cum laude in 2017.

In addition to teaching, Kate has worked internationally in music management and event production, and has performed at weddings, private events, and with local ensembles such as Terra Vista Strings and Sienna Strings. Now based in Austin, she brings her depth of experience and passion for music education to students of all ages and skill levels.

📞 Phone: 512-733-3073
📧 Email: katesimonewilliams@gmail.com

Connor Bell is a violin and viola instructor with over a decade of teaching experience in both public schools and private studios. He is currently on faculty at Austin Suzuki Music School, where he teaches private lessons and group classes, and regularly performs with the Central Texas Philharmonic.

Connor earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Studies and EC–12 certification from the University of Texas at Austin’s Butler School of Music. While at UT, he taught in the String Project, gaining experience in orchestra conducting, sectional rehearsals, music theory, and private instruction. From 2012–2021, he taught orchestra at Deerpark Middle School, working with students on violin, viola, cello, bass, and harp using the Suzuki in the Schools approach.

He holds full certification in all 10 Suzuki Violin Books, has Early Childhood Education training, and regularly attends enrichment courses to further his craft. Connor also serves as a clinician at festivals and institutes across Texas, including the Greater Austin Suzuki Institute, Longhorn Music Camp, and more.

📧 Email: connor.e.bell@gmail.com

Elizabeth Lee is a passionate cellist and teacher based in Austin, TX. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied with Joshua Gindele of the Miró Quartet. She currently teaches at Texas Lutheran University and maintains an active private studio.

Elizabeth’s training includes degrees from Rice University and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, with additional studies in the Juilliard Pre-College Division. Her principal teachers include Norman Fischer, Jean-Michel Fonteneau, Timothy Eddy, and others.

As a performer, Elizabeth has appeared across North America, Asia, and Europe, and was nominated for the Austin Critics Table Award for Best Instrumentalist in 2009. She has soloed with orchestras such as the Yonkers Philharmonic and Balcones Community Orchestra, and performed at prestigious venues like Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall.

She is principal cellist of the Mid-Texas Symphony and performs with ensembles including Austin Unconducted and the San Antonio Philharmonic. A dedicated chamber musician, Elizabeth is a member of Triple Take and the Sonorous Ensemble, and has premiered numerous contemporary works. She also enjoys collaborating beyond classical, with recording credits in indie and spiritual music scenes.

📧 Email: nonae5@gmail.com
🌐 Website: www.cellomoji.com
📱 Social: Follow @cellomoji on YouTube and Instagram

Emily Montoya is an accomplished cellist and versatile educator based in Austin, TX. She has performed with professional orchestras including the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, Central Texas Philharmonic, and served as principal cellist of the Texas State University Symphony Orchestra.

A dynamic performer and recording artist, Emily is active across genres—from classical to jazz to metal. In her private teaching, she incorporates movement-based pedagogy and kinesthetic learning, with a focus on building strong communication, reducing performance anxiety, and encouraging critical thinking in her students.

Emily holds a Master’s Degree in Cello Performance and Pedagogy from Texas State University, along with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Music and English from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point.

📧 Email: emilymthiele@gmail.com

Ms Melissa Solomon

Melissa Solomon is a passionate cello teacher and performer dedicated to nurturing creative expression and musical excellence in every student. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Melissa grew up in a family of professional musicians. She earned a full scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy and later studied at The Juilliard School, where she trained with Timothy Eddy and performed at prestigious venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

Melissa is a fully trained and registered Suzuki teacher with over two decades of experience. She believes that music has the power to inspire, transform, and connect—and she tailors her lessons to each student’s unique learning style, focusing on technical mastery, musicality, and confidence-building through positive reinforcement.

An active educator and clinician, Melissa has served on the faculty of numerous national programs including the National Cello Institute, Colorado Suzuki Institute, Alaska Cello Intensive, Greater Austin Suzuki Institute, and more. Before moving to Austin, she founded the Melissa Solomon Cello Studio in Pasadena, CA, and launched Project C.E.L.L.O., an innovative performance education course.

She now teaches in South Austin, directs the South Austin Cello Choir, and enjoys a full musical life alongside her partner, their two children, and two dogs. When she’s not teaching or performing, Melissa enjoys writing, wood-carving, and adventuring outdoors.

🌐 Website: MelissaSolomonStudio.com
📧 Email: CelloMelissa@gmail.com
📞 Phone: 213-254-7388

George Fahlund is the professor of double bass at the University of the Incarnate Word and a highly respected performer and educator with over 30 years of teaching experience. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, he studied string pedagogy and lower strings under Dr. David Neubert and Mrs. Phyllis Young.

Professor Fahlund is the director of the Texas Hill Country Bass Collective and performs with numerous ensembles, including the San Antonio Philharmonic, The Dallas Opera, Mid-Texas Symphony, Central Texas Philharmonic, and several leading Austin theaters.

Throughout his career, he has mentored students across all levels, with many earning top chairs at TMEA and UIL events. Over 70 of his students have become TMEA All-State bassists, with 20 earning principal chair placements. In addition to his teaching and performing, Professor Fahlund has presented at conferences for the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and International Society of Bassists.

He is a proud member of the International Society of Bassists, American String Teachers Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and American Federation of Musicians (Local 23).

📧 Email: geo.fahlund73@gmail.com