Susan Beth Barak, BA (Hons), MEd. Susan deeply believes in the Suzuki philosophy and is grateful to have a wonderful group of students and families in the Heart-Strings studio. Besides private and group lessons, Heart-Strings students have enjoyed performing throughout the community throughout the year, and fundraising for charitable organizations in the true Suzuki spirit. Many students enjoy performing in provincial music festivals and some also take RCM exams. Whatever your goals are, Susan is happy to work with families to support them to succeed while having fun, and most importantly, developing beautiful hearts and fine character.
Susan 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.
An avid lifelong learner, Susan participates in daily, ongoing professional basis in a range of performance styles, pedagogy, performance psychology, and wellness/body work topics. In addition to Suzuki, she is certified through the Royal Conservatory and Mark O’Connor Methods, and is currently participating in Christian Howes’ Creative Strings Workshop on a variety of styles and improvisation, as well as ongoing teacher workshops with the Benedetti Foundation. This summer, Susan earned a 13th place finish out of 400 participants globally in Nathan Cole’s international Violympics program/competition. She presented at the last European Suzuki Viola Gathering in El Escorial Spain on applying second language acquisition theory to optimize music teaching and learning.
As well as an enthusiastic music teacher and lifelong student, Susan is a mother of four and grandmother of four, published writer, certified Life Skills Coach, registered yoga teacher (CYA-RYT 300), certified Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages, and advocate for human rights and social justice with a focus on disability. As Chair of the Anti-Discrimination Committee of the American Viola Society, Susan spear-headed many significant diversity, equity, and inclusion-centred initiatives. She is recently completed serving as President of the Newmarket & Area branch of ORMTA and the 905 North representative of Suzuki Ontario.