Jessica Retana is a Suzuki Violin teacher, Suzuki Early Childhood Music Educator, and founder of The Well-Balanced Violin Studio in northwest Albuquerque. She is passionate about nurturing a lifelong love of music in each student, while developing their highest potential of instrumental playing and character. Jessica holds degrees in violin performance from Belmont University (B.M.) and Southern Methodist University (M.M.), and studied Suzuki pedagogy with Charles Krigbaum, Daina Volodka Staggs, Edward Kreitman, Ann Montzka-Smelser, Teri Einfeldt, Lynn McCall, Wan Tsai Chen, and Sharon Jones. In 2023, Jessica received the Suzuki Association of the Americas Certificate of Achievement, recognizing her excellence in teaching and dedication to lifelong learning. Jessica serves as Vice President of the New Mexico American String Teacher’s Association, working to expand access to training and string education opportunities for all teachers and students in New Mexico. Outside of teaching, Jessica is a tenured violinist in the New Mexico Philharmonic, and she enjoys spending time with her husband and three cats.

Laurie Lopez was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of New Mexico, where she studied String Pedagogy and Suzuki books 1-10 with Susan Kempter. She is currently the Program Director and a Teaching Artist of the NM Philharmonic Young Musician Initiative and the Program Coordinator of the UNM String Lab School. Laurie also maintains a private violin studio at Robertson and Sons Violin Shop and is the current director of Mad About Music. She is the president of the New Mexico chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and serves on the ASTA National DEI committee. Laurie enjoys a vibrant freelancing career, having played with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, the New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, Opera Southwest, and Albuquerque Little Theatre, among others. Her music direction credits include Rocky Horror Picture Show, Rock of Ages, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Lisa Collins, a cellist from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has completed certification with the Suzuki Association of America, having trained with Tanya Carey, Carey Beth Hockett, and Rick Mooney. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Cello Performance from the University of New Mexico. She is a member of the New Mexico Philharmonic and the Santa Fe Symphony, and maintains a busy freelance schedule. As adjunct faculty at the University of New Mexico, she teaches Aural Skills. She has a delightful private studio, and she loves spending time with her husband Jeff, a fabulous percussionist, and their brood of dogs and cats.

Natalie Wade grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has been based here as a professional violinist and Suzuki teacher for the last 12 years. Natalie is committed to helping her students develop a lifelong love of music and an enhanced love of the learning process through her instruction. 

Natalie holds a B.M. in both Violin Performance and String Pedagogy from UNM. She completed her Long-Term training in Suzuki Violin Books 1-10 under renowned pedagogue and Suzuki teacher, Susan Kempter, and has training from Michiko Yurko in the music theory curriculum, Music Mind Games. Natalie runs a private studio at Robertson & Son’s Violin Shop and has group class teaching experience both within her studio and as a coordinator teacher at the UNM Lab School. Natalie’s pedagogy has been heavily influenced by her private teachers: Susan Kempter, Kathie Jarrett, Carmélo de los Santos, and Megan Holland. 

In addition to teaching, Natalie has a passion for performance and has been an active violinist here in Albuquerque and in Santa Fe for over a decade. She plays in the New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, Santa Fe Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Opera Southwest Orchestra, and is a regular guest artist with Chatter Albuquerque. She also held an associate position with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for the 2017-2018 season. 

In her free time, Natalie enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, going rock climbing, hiking, camping, and doing anything that is adventurous and outside! She also enjoys being creative with music in other genres and capacities and is an active improv player and songwriter/composer.

Rafael Videira, DMA, has a diverse career as a teacher, performer, and conductor, with appearances in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, and Germany. He has taught violin and viola to students of all levels, leading them to success in competitions and acceptance into prestigious schools. Currently residing in Albuquerque, NM, he directs the orchestras at Manzano High School, and conducts the Albuquerque Youth Orchestra. 

Dr. Videira holds a Doctoral degree in viola performance and pedagogy from the University of Oregon and a Masters degree in performance from the University of New Mexico. His mentors in the Suzuki Method and other pedagogical approaches include Dr. Susan Baer, Teri Einfeldt, Christie Felsing, Susan Kempter, Lynn McCall, William Preucil, Sr., Elizabeth Stuen-Walker, Michiko Yurko, and members of the Paul Rolland Society. In 2018, he received the Suzuki Association of the Americas Certificate of Achievement for his dedication to excellence in teaching within the Suzuki philosophy. Additionally, he was featured in the 2023 album by the American Viola Society, promoting music by underrepresented composers. 

You can learn more about him at www.RafaelVideira.com.

Dr. Sigrid Karlstrom (sigridkarlstrom.com) is a violinist and violist, chamber musician, Suzuki teacher, and school orchestra director with 20 years of experience working with students of all ages in individual and group settings. She directs the orchestra programs at Jackson and Cleveland Middle Schools in Albuquerque, NM, and teaches private lessons at her home studio. Her training in string pedagogy includes Suzuki Long-Term Training with Susan Kempter and Christie Felsing, and Short-Term Training and workshop courses with Elizabeth Stuen-Walker, Lynn McCall, William and Doris Preucil, Michiko Yurko, Allan Lieb, and the Paul Rolland Society.

Sigrid’s research and interest in contemporary works and works by underrepresented composers culminated in two albums of pieces for viola and piano by the American composers Marion Bauer, Vivian Fine and Miriam Gideon. A portion of this research is published as a “Foreword” to the American Composer Alliance’s edition of Miriam Gideon’s Sonata for Viola and Piano. Sigrid's performance of the Marion Bauer Sonata for Viola and Piano, op. 22 was featured on the American Viola Society’s “Emerging Artists” recital in 2019. From 2013-2017, she played as a tenured member of the New Mexico Philharmonic viola section. In 2024, as part of the NM American String Teachers’ Association board, she founded Violapalooza NM, a workshop and concert that brought together 50 professional and student violists from all over the state.