Our Faculty
Jessica McNamara
Jessica McNamara is the founder and director of the Ridgefield Suzuki School. Having been a Suzuki student as a child herself, Jessica always had dreams of starting a Suzuki School in a community that could benefit from this wonderful philosophy and method. Jessica began violin at the age of 6 in an introductory Suzuki program that was being offered in her elementary school in Queens, NY.
For more information about Jessica, click here.
Mallory Mercier
Mallory Mercier, lead teacher, teaches violin and piano at Ridgefield Suzuki School. Mallory holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music with a concentration in String Pedagogy from the University of New Mexico. Mallory completed long term Teacher Training, books 1-10, in the Suzuki violin method with Susan Kempter, a registered teacher trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
For more information about Mallory, click here.
Dr. Elizabeth Vysin
Dr. Elizabeth Vysin earned her B.M. in cello performance and music education from Chapman University, her M.M. in cello performance and music theory from The Hartt School, a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Longy School of Music and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Hartt School.
For more information about Elizabeth, click here.
Amanda Milne
Amanda Milne is originally from Williston, Vermont, where she began her Suzuki violin studies at age five. An alumna of Lawrence University, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance. At Lawrence, Amanda was a student of Dr. Samantha George. Amanda holds a Master’s degree in Violin Performance with an Emphasis in Suzuki Pedagogy from the Hartt School of Music, where she studied with Katie Lansdale. In addition to private lessons, she received teacher training from Teri Einfeldt.
For more information about Amanda, click here.
Dr. Ti Chung
A native Taiwanese, Dr. Ti Chung is a versatile flutist and educator residing in Ridgefield. She holds her D.M.A. in flute performance at Texas Tech University, M.M. Degree from SUNY Purchase College and a B.A. from SUNY Stony Brook University. As an educator, Dr. Chung is a certified teacher on both Suzuki flute and Suzuki Early Childhood, and also instructs piano and music theory classes. Her students include a broad level of students from the beginner to high school intermediates and adults.
For more information about Dr. Chung, click here.
SooJung Sharp
SooJung Sharp began her piano studies at the age of five and presented her first solo recital program at age of nine. Ms. Sharp has performed throughout the U.S, Canada and Korea as soloist and collaborator, and is among the most actively sought-after collaborators in New England.
For more information about SooJung, click here.
Anna Laverty
Anna Laverty is a violinist and graduate of the University of Louisville School of Music. She completed certification in the Suzuki Method in books 1-10 with Kirsten Marshall.
For more information about Anna, click here.