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When Susan Raguse was in sixth grade, a middle school orchestra visited her class to perform a short concert. No doubt there were notes played out of tune and scratchy bows during the concert, but she was captivated.
By seventh grade, she was begging her parents to play in the school orchestra. She proudly walked into her first orchestra rehearsal, violin in hand, never imagining that those first scratchy notes would spark a lifelong love for violin and shape the course of her life.
At just eleven years old, she had discovered a lifelong passion for music, one that now drives her commitment to teaching young violinists with care, encouragement, and discipline.
About Susan
Susan studied violin with Aaron Krosnick at Jacksonville University, George Zazofsky at the University of Miami, and concert violinist, Louis Krasner.
It was Louis Krasner who first encouraged Susan to teach, asking her to work with an undergraduate student who wished to begin violin lessons again. Under Mr. Krasner’s weekly guidance and mentorship, she discovered a love for teaching that has remained with her ever since. As a student of Capet, Ševčík, and Flesch, his approach to the violin was quite specific and creative. The technique he taught Susan and the musicality he shared have been life long skills for her.
Upon college graduation, Susan began Suzuki teacher training and was offered a teaching position by Ed Kreitman, founder of the Western Springs (IL) School of Talent Education. She completed advanced studies with both Mr Kreitman and Mr. Thomas Wermuth and was a summer faculty member for ten years at the American Suzuki Institute (ASI), held at the University of Wisconsin/Stevens Point.
She is dedicated to the tenets of the Suzuki Method of ear training, listening skills, and including the parent as home teacher. She finds great joy in helping students with their own learning style become the best possible violinist they can.
Susan has taught hundreds of students, some of whom have continued their music studies and graduated from the University of Michigan, Eastman School of Music, Oberlin College and Conservatory, De Paul University, and other noted colleges and universities.
She was the home teacher/parent for her own three children, who were Suzuki students of violin, flute, piano, and bass. She fully understands the Suzuki parent’s perspective and responsibility for lessons and home practice.
Studying an instrument has an effect on the beginning student and the advanced player alike. In Susan’s words, “my greatest honor is to help a student flourish through the discipline of their music and to develop a life long love of beautiful music.”
Susan is married to renowned bow maker, Douglas Raguse. She is an avid rower, gardener, and baker. They reside in Jacksonville, Florida where she maintains a private music studio.
