Leslie Beers- Violin, Piano, SCSP Coordinator
Leslie Beers is delighted to return to Centre Co., Pa., where she introduced Suzuki Piano in 1978 and was director of Suzuki strings and piano for many years. Later, she started her own studio, Suzuki Friends. Leslie received a Music Education degree from Susquehanna University and studied in the Masters program for Suzuki String Technique at University of Tennessee with William Starr. Author of the teaching manual, the Suzuki Violinist, Mr.Starr lived for years in Japan, studying with Suzuki. Leslie creates an intimate yet professional studio, encouraging friendships through ensembles, theory games and reading in group classes. She is certified in the Mark O’Connor American music method, adding fiddle tunes to her teaching.
Sally Williams Minnich- Violin
Sally Williams Minnich began Suzuki violin lessons at age four and was accepted at age 16 as a preparatory student of David Russell at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She has appeared as a soloist at numerous events, including the Electronic Music Midwest Festival in 2011, the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra in 2014, the Altoona Symphony in 2016, and the Cleveland Pops in 2017. She performs regularly with her husband in the innovative violin duo Revamped.
Williams Minnich holds bachelor's degrees in violin performance and music composition and a master’s degree in violin performance from Bowling Green State University as well as a master's degree in music education from Pennsylvania State University. She has had the privilege of studying with violin pedagogues Vasile Beluska and James Lyon and with composers Burton Beerman, Marilyn Shrude, Elainie Lillios, and Mikel Kuehn. She also teaches violin at the Grier School for Girls in Birmingham, PA and is Suzuki-certified through violin book 3.
Williams Minnich holds bachelor's degrees in violin performance and music composition and a master’s degree in violin performance from Bowling Green State University as well as a master's degree in music education from Pennsylvania State University. She has had the privilege of studying with violin pedagogues Vasile Beluska and James Lyon and with composers Burton Beerman, Marilyn Shrude, Elainie Lillios, and Mikel Kuehn. She also teaches violin at the Grier School for Girls in Birmingham, PA and is Suzuki-certified through violin book 3.
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Mark Minnich- Violin
Mark holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Penn State. In his early career, Mark Minnich won the Toledo Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, the Bowling Green Young Artists Competition, and the Firelands Symphony Concerto Competition. He also toured as Concertmaster with the Toledo International Youth Orchestra in Canada, Germany, Austria, Poland, China, and Tanzania. He is currently a member of the Altoona Symphony and Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra, with whom he recently appeared as a soloist. He also performs regularly with his wife, violinist Sally Williams Minnich, in the duo Revamped. Mark is continuing his education with a Master of Arts in Music Theory and History at Penn State and has received Suzuki training through book 1.
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Evelyn Bookhammer- Cello
Evelyn Bookhammer, Alexandria PA, (traditional and Suzuki Cello) studied at Mansfield University and Penn State University, and currently performs with Altoona Symphony and Juniata College Symphony. Ms. Bookhammer is certified in Suzuki Repertoire through the American Suzuki Association and teaches at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, the State College Suzuki Teachers Coop, and the Music Academy of State College, PA. Evelyn also has a studio in Hollidaysburg, PA. She has studied with Marco Branda, Irwin Borodkin, Leonard Feldman, and Kim Cook. Evelyn is comfortable with beginners and non beginners from age 3 up to adult, believing all have inborne talent that can be developed in a positive environment with the proper nurturing.