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We encourage all students to take private lessons, not just those who are struggling or those who are seeking a career as a professional musician. Working one-on-one with an expert allows students to learn at their own pace and, with practice, excel in all aspects of playing their instrument. The success students find in taking private lessons makes playing their instruments even more fun! The instructors below will be available to teach Hopewell Orchestra students during orchestra classes as well as after school.
Violin and Viola
Violin and Viola
Susie Chen
Susie Chen
Susie Chen graduated from the Tianjin Conservatory of Music in China in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance. In 2012, she obtained a Violin Teaching Diploma from the Royal Academy of Music in the United Kingdom.
She has over 15 years of teaching experience and has achieved outstanding results with her students, many of whom have passed the ABRSM violin performance exams with excellent scores.
In 2018, one of her students won First prize at the Hong Kong International Violin Competition.
In 2025, one of her students won First Prize at the Golden Classical International Competition and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall.
From 2013 to 2016, she was a member of the Rococo Symphony Orchestra in China.
From 2017 to 2019, she was awarded the Violin Excellence in Teaching Diploma by the Central Conservatory of Music in China for three consecutive years.
She possesses extensive experience in both teaching and performance.
Violin and Viola
Violin and Viola
Aurora Zenfell
Aurora Zenfell
Ms. Zenfell grew up playing viola and percussion everywhere she could in St. Louis, MO, and started teaching during high school. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Florida State University and a Master of Music & Human Learning degree from the University of Texas-Austin.
Aside from her 12 years of experience as a public school orchestra director, Ms. Zenfell felt the need to fill a gap for beginning level adults. She co-founded the Parent Orchestra with the UT String Project and directed it for 6 years before founding the New Leaf Orchestra in 2015. Additionally, she has an interest in Middle Eastern music, and even presented on this topic at the 2011 national convention for the American String Teachers Association. She has played professionally with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and the Florida Lakes Symphony, as well as with the UT Middle Eastern Ensemble and the Arabic band, Layalina.
Outside of music Ms. Zenfell likes to practice yoga, ride tandem bicycles, and hang out with her cats.
Cello
Cello
Julie Munkholm Bruun
Julie Munkholm Bruun
Julie Munkholm Bruun has a degree in cello performance, teaching and chamber music instruction from The Royal Academy of Music, Denmark and the Danish National Academy where she studied under Harro Ruijsenaars, Henrik Brendstrup and Niels Ullner. In 2002-2003 she took a year of absence from her studies in Denmark to deepen her understanding and knowledge of cello technique through private studies with Gert Von Bülow in Rostock, Germany. Julie has participated in masterclasses with Steven Isserlis and Ralph Kirschbaum and she has performed in Denmark, Sweden, Italy and USA. Her repertoire spreads widely from classical to rock and she has worked on stage with award winning pianist Mookie Lee Menuhin, Multi Grammy awarded musician/composer Perry Stenbäck and Danish pianist/composer Jonas Frederik. Julie was a member of the crossover ensemble “Laila & Symfobia” from 2001-2006 (Laila now tours the world with the extraordinary “Between Music’s AQUASONIC”) and has recorded for artists such as Tina Dickow, Western Stars and world famous Danish pianist and composer Bent Fabricius Bjerre.
Julie's extensive studies in teaching methods have taken her all over Europe, and she has developed a large knowledge and expertise in what she is most passionate for: Teaching. Julie has studied classic teaching methods and pedagogy during her education and has studied the Suzuki method in Scandinavia throughout several years (although she is not certified). She has studied the Colourstrings method in London and Helsinki and helped translate/tail or Colourstrings teaching material to Danish students and to implement its use in Denmark. Julie has more than 22 years of teaching experience and has taught students of all ages and levels. Several of her students have continued their musical education and have become professional cellists. Julie’s teaching method is creative and fun. She believes that the very foundation of teaching is to believe in the student and their abilities – and that it is possible for anyone to find the love for music and learn how to play. She believes that all students are unique and knows that everyone learns differently. The correct technique and the ability to build up strength slowly, gives the student the very best foundation for becoming a great cellist. She emphasizes teaching how to practice at home, she focuses on how to produce the best sound and she always teaches her students to know exactly what they are doing anatomically. Her special method of mapping out the cello makes it easier for students to get around on the instrument. Julie is also a RYT500 yoga teacher and through her studies in yoga she has developed a greater awareness for how to work skillfully with the anatomy behind playing the cello.
Bass
Bass
Daniel Benoit
Daniel Benoit
Originally from Arlington, TX, Daniel Benoit started playing the bass at age ten. He received a BM from The University of North Texas and a MM from Indiana University. He played in The United States Air Force Band in Washington, DC for four years and has performed with various orchestras and music festivals around the world. Daniel also enjoys playing non-classical music and singing.
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