LD Bell High School Orchestra
Suzuki Strings

 

Christine Collins-Davis, Viridian Elementary

Christine Collins-Davis began her musical journey at age 5 on the piano, but switched over to the violin as quickly as her parents would allow her. She was an active participant in band, choir, and orchestra throughout her middle school and high school years before attending the University of North Texas to double major in violin music education with a focus in elementary education and oboe performance. Halfway through her time at UNT, Ms. Collins-Davis made the decision to focus full time on elementary music education.

 

Ms. Collins-Davis taught private lessons in violin, viola, piano, and voice beginning in 2012 at the Frisco School of Music where her violin studio was named “The Most Improved Studio”.  Culminating her graduation at the University of North Texas, Ms. Collins-Davis moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where she continued to teach privately.  Although Ms. Collins-Davis grew up playing repertoire from the Suzuki books, she did not grow up using the Suzuki Method.  She took her first Every Child Can and Violin Book 1 course at DFWWoW in 2015 and it completely changed the trajectory of her teaching career.  Upon moving back to Texas in 2016, Ms. Collins-Davis accepted a position as a Suzuki Strings Specialist as part of Hurst-Euless-Bedford’s Suzuki in the Schools program. In this capacity, Ms. Collins-Davis has the pleasure of teaching students in grades Kindergarten through Sixth Grade the violin, viola, cello, and bass using the traditional Suzuki Method. 

 

Ms. Collins-Davis attended the University of Texas at Arlington from 2018-2021 to pursue a Master’s Degree in Music Education where she had the privilege of working with Dr. Diane Lange as a mentor and advisor. During her time at UTA, Ms. Collins-Davis had the opportunity to study the benefits of the Suzuki Method and similar teacher methods as they relate to young music learners.  Her thesis discussed the benefits of the Suzuki Method versus traditional string classroom teaching methods and how the Suzuki Method could be especially beneficial to students with Dyslexia.

 

Ms. Collins-Davis is passionate about the Suzuki Method. Through her work with the Executive Board of the North Texas Suzuki Association, she hopes to continue their work reaching a broad and diverse community of Suzuki students and teachers, as well as encouraging new students and teachers to join our fantastic Suzuki community.

 

Kristine Fish, Hurst Hills and Wilshire Elementaries

Kristine Fish is a violinist and Suzuki Strings teacher in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, where she teaches violin, viola, cello and bass to students in Kindergarten through sixth grade. In 2026 she was honored with the Alfred Music Distinguished Young Teacher award from the Suzuki Association of the Americas. 

 

Kristine's journey with the violin began at age 14 when she heard a recording of the instrument and immediately fell in love with its sound. Although she began her studies through traditional violin instruction, she quickly discovered the value of listening to recordings as a tool for learning new repertoire. With a pianist for a mother, she also enjoyed regularly performing and reviewing pieces together at home. These early experiences would later shape her appreciation for the principals of the Suzuki Method. 

 

While studying music in college, Kristine became interested in learning more about the Suzuki philosophy and how it differed from traditional instruction. After completing Every Child Can! and her Suzuki Book 1 teacher training, she recognized many of the same principles that had positively influenced her own musical development. Prior to joining HEB ISD, she taught privately through the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra Suzuki program. 

 

Kristine earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with teacher certification from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she studied violin with Dr. Timothy Angel. She also holds an Associate of Arts in Music from Tarrant County College, where she studied with Becky Rathbun. 

 

In addition to teaching, Kristine is an active performer in the North Texas community, providing music for weddings, senior living communities, fesitval, and other special events. She performs with Seasonal Strings, a quartet; Sombati, a world music ensemble; and 50 Strings, a violin and harp duo. 

 

 

Amber Gutermuth, Lakewood Elementary

Amber Gutermuth (Ms. G) is an alumni of HEB ISD, beginning her journey as a violinist in kindergarten in the Lakewood Suzuki Program with Rachel Holt, attending Central Jr. High with Tara Truex and L.D. Bell High School with Allison King. Ms. G attended the University of Texas at Arlington where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. From there she taught exactly one year of orchestra in another district before rushing to HEB ISD Suzuki as fast as she could!

 

Ms. G's dream job has always been, since about age 9 1/2, to be a Suzuki teacher at her own elementary school! This is now her 4th year of teaching at Lakewood Elementary. Now she lives that dream every day, hoping to instill her own love of music and all its many benefits into our future generations. She is rather passionate about Suzuki's method and philosophy and all that it provides for students, including the development of exceptional musicianship and instrumental skill, but also characteristics that exemplify what it means to be good citizens of the world. Ms. G does a lot musically outside of her teaching hours including playing in a local world music band, Sombati, as well as a string quartet, Seasonal Strings. 

 

Ms. G's hobbies include reading (all the books!), playing games, crocheting, riding dirt bikes, learning instruments she doesn't teach, and of course spending lots of time with her husband and young daughter. 

 

Sarah Willson, Shady Brook Elementary

Sarah Willson is a Suzuki cello teacher and performing cellist who is passionate about helping students develop confidence, artistry, and a lifelong love of music through the Suzuki Method. She believes that every child can learn in a nurturing environment where teachers, parents, and students work together to cultivate both musical ability and strong character. 

 

Mrs. Willson currently serves as a Suzuki Cello Instructor and Chamber Music Coordinator with the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, where she teachers private and group lessons, coaches chamber ensembles, and partners closely with families to support each student's musical growth. She has also taught at the Prosper ISD Summer Suzuki Violin Camp and loves to engage in opportunities that help the North Texas Suzuki community continue to grow and thrive. 

 

Mrs. Willson is a registered Suzuki teacher through the Suzuki Association of the Americas, having completed cello training with Zachary Sweet and violin training with Charles Krigbaum. She is committed to continuing her Suzuki teacher education through advanced book training. 

 

In addition to joining HEB ISD, Mrs. Willson brings more than a decade of experience as a public school strings educator; experience that enriches her individualized approach to teaching students from their first lessons through advanced musical opportunities. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Central Oklahoma and her Master of Music Education degree from Ithaca College. 

 

Mrs. Willson enjoys performing, teaching, and collaborating with fellow string educators. She is grateful to be part of the Suzuki community and looks forward to partnering with students and their families at Shady Brook as they discover the joy of making music together. 

 

 

Dr. Kate Jones, Hurst Hills Elementary

Dr. Kate Jones is one of only three registered Suzuki Bass Teacher Trainers in the world. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Double Bass Performance from the University of North Texas, where she studied with Jeff Bradetich. She also holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Illinois Wesleyan University. 

 

Since 2014, Dr. Jones has served as the Suzuki Bass Specialist for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, with the mission of expanding the district's Suzuki bass program. Now in her 13th year teaching at Hurst Hills Elementary, she continues to build community through the Suzuki philosophy. She performs as a section bassist with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra and other regional ensembles. 

 

An active clinician, Dr. Jones has presented at the Suzuki Association of the Americas Conference and the International Society of Bassists Convention. She has taught at Suzuki bass institutes and bass workshops internationally and is dedicated to inspiriting the next generation of bassists through excellence in teaching and performance. 

 

Christopher Mattaliano, River Trails Elementary

Chris Mattaliano is a Suzuki Strings Specialist for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District where he maintains a private studio of approximately 50 students, ages 5 - 16. An active professional violinist, Chris currently serves as concertmaster of White's Chapel Orchestra. Previously he served for more than five years as concertmaster of the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra, contributing to a period of significant artistic growth and national recognition that included multiple honors from The American Prize. He has also appeared as a soloist in numerous performances with the Texas Chamber Music Project and as a featured guest artist with the Fort Worth Chorale. 

 

As a music educator, Chris has presented multiple poster sessions at the Suzuki Association of the Americans Conference and is increasingly in demand as a guest clinician at workshops throughout Texas and across the country. His passion for arts leadership has also led him to serve on the boards of several orchestras throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and as vice president of the North Texas Suzuki Association. 

 

Chris began studying violin at age four and holds two degrees from Ithaca College, as well as dual master's degrees from the University of Minnesota in violin performance and Suzuki pedagogy. During his graduate studies, he held principal and concertmaster positions with the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra for select projects. 

 

When he is not teaching or performing on violin, Chris enjoys playing jazz guitar with big bands throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 

 

Edinson Moreno, Bellaire Elementary

Mr. Moreno was born and raised in Cali, Colombia where he began taking violin and piano lessons at the age of 9 at the Arboledas Music Academy in Colombia. Before Mr. Moreno moved to the United States, he studied Violin Performance at the Conservatory of Cali, Colombia. In addition, Mr. Moreno taught violin in several music foundations in Colombia including: Fundarboledas, Notas de Paz, SIDOC, and Trinity School.

 

Mr. Moreno has performed with the Irving Symphony Orchestra, New Philharmonic of Irving, Plano Symphony Orchestra, San Angelo Symphony Orchestra, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, and South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Moreno has attended the Suzuki Institute in Beaver Creek, Colorado, achieving his Teacher Training certifications of the Suzuki method for violin.

 

Mr. Moreno holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Texas Christian University (TCU) where he studied with Dr. Elisabeth Adkins. In addition, he earned his Master of Music Education degree and Graduate Certificate Diploma from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) where he studied with Dr. Martha Walvoord.

 

Mr. Moreno is an active pedagogue in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, teaching at the FWYO Suzuki School and HEBISD Suzuki Strings.

 

Kaylie Pugh, Spring Garden Elementary

Kaylie Pugh is in her 8th year of teaching Suzuki Strings in HEBISD at Spring Garden Elementary. This is her 3rd year as a director of the HEB Viola Fine Tuners ensemble. Kaylie has been around the HEB Suzuki program since its inception as both of her parents were teachers in the program in its first year until their retirement in 2021. She started playing the violin at a young age but made the best decision ever when she switched to the viola in junior high. She earned her Bachelor's of Music Education from Baylor University studying with Dr. Kathryn Steely. While at Baylor she performed with the Baylor Symphony Orchestra and taught in the Baylor University String Project. She student taught in Round Rock ISD with the Chisolm Trail Middle School orchestras under the direction of Suzuki violin trainer Daniel Gee Cordova. 

 

 

Lindsay Serdar, North Euless Elementary

Born to symphony musicians, Lindsay Serdar began violin lessons at 3 and piano lessons at 5. She studied violin with her parents until 5th grade, when she moved into Marcia Henry’s studio, where she would stay through high school. On the piano, Lindsay studied with Suzuki teacher Anna Nogaj through 4th grade and then with Yuri Iwasaki and Claude Hobson while in high school. All the while, her parents helped her to realize her love of collaboration through participation in their team-taught Suzuki studio and through working with fellow members of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony.

 

Lindsay earned her BM in violin at San Jose State University, studying with the Cypress String Quartet. Unable to put one instrument down in favor of another, Lindsay kept busy as a collaborative pianist for Cypress’ studio and other performing opportunities in the Bay Area. After graduating, the Serdars returned to Illinois and Lindsay spent a year as the pianist for the Peoria Symphony’s 2012-2013 season before moving to the Seattle area. Lindsay continued to teach piano and violin privately while accompanying and coaching for several local string studios. Enjoying cross-country moves so much, Lindsay and her husband decided to make one more big move in January of 2020. She and her husband now live in the Fort Worth, Texas area with their three children. Most recently, Mrs. Serdar has taken a position in HEB ISD as a Suzuki Strings Specialist at North Euless Elementary where she teaches violin, viola, cello, and double bass students and is one of the directors of the HEB ISD Elementary Honor Orchestra. Lindsay is in high demand both as a teacher, collaborative pianist, and performing musician, and is frequently found performing all over the Dallas Fort Worth area, and at string institutes and workshops all over the United States. She is enjoying her time teaching during the day and spending time with her family in the evenings.

 

Stacy Garner, South Euless Elementary

Stacy Garner, violin, is a Suzuki Violin Teacher Trainer and a Suzuki Strings Specialist in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD in North Texas, where she teaches private and group Suzuki lessons and maintains a private studio. Ms. Garner has a degree in Violin Performance from the University of Utah where she studied with Gerald Elias and Mischa Boguslavsky and has completed hundreds of hours of Suzuki training. Ms. Garner was formerly the director of the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute, as well as President of the Suzuki Association of Utah. 

 

Along with presenting educational sessions to both parents and teachers at state, national and international Suzuki conferences and conventions, and being a frequent contributor to the the Journal of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Ms. Garner is on the faculty at Suzuki workshops and institutes across the United States and internationally. Ms. Garner is also an active freelance performer on both violin and viola in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

 

In 2018, Stacy was awarded with the Suzuki Association of the America's Certificate of Achievement, an award given to teachers that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to excellence in their teaching, and in 2023 Stacy became a Violin Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Stacy is a Suzuki mom to five children; a violist, a violinist, a pianist, and two double bassists, all of whom provide her most in-depth Suzuki training. She recently realized that she's been practicing with at least one of her Suzuki children daily for the last twenty years!

 

Oscar Soler Santos, Wilshire Elementary

Oscar Soler is dedicated to Suzuki, currently teaching Suzuki Strings in the Hurst- Euless-Bedford Independent School District in Texas. He also served on the board of directors of the Suzuki Association of the Americas from 2017 to 2020. Prior to Texas, Soler taught at the Aber Suzuki Center at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. He also taught at Boulder Suzuki Strings. Additionally, Soler has taught at the American Suzuki Institute, Intermountain Suzuki Strings Institute, Peaks to Plains Institute, Fairbanks Suzuki Institute, Greater Austin Suzuki Institute, and the Festival Muchas Músicas in Mexico City. He has been a guest clinician at Suzuki workshops in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, and Illinois.

 

As an avid performer, Soler has performed as a violin soloist with many ensembles including The National Repertory Orchestra, Orquesta Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho, and Virtuosi de Caracas. He was a member of the Akron Symphony Orchestra and Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. Soler has also performed as part of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, the Erie Philharmonic, and the Canton Symphony, among others. During the 2008 and 2009 summer seasons, Soler was appointed assistant concertmaster and concertmaster, respectively, of the National Repertory Orchestra. Currently, Soler enjoys performing in the ROS/CAR duo with his wife, harpist Rosalie Gilbert.

 

Soler earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 2007 and Master of Music degree in violin performance and Suzuki pedagogy in 2009, both from the Cleveland Institute of Music studying with Kimberly Meier-Sims, and Paul Kantor. He became a registered SAA teacher trainer in 2020, and a national board certified teacher in 2024. He is a native of Caracas, Venezuela.