My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the years that she was a student in Leah’s studio. While teaching a beginning viola student, Leah had a gentle and encouraging demeanor that built a growing love and appreciation for string instruments. Leah introduced and encouraged my daughter to participate and perform in a variety of forms: recitals, nursing homes, summer sleep away camps, and area youth orchestras. My daughter enjoyed her musical experiences so much, she is completing her Junior year as a music student in hopes of being a string teacher herself. Leah offers exceptional private teaching that helps foster an appreciation for music making. 

I started as an adult beginner violin student, and have been taking weekly lessons since 2013. I have experience with other instruments, and know what makes a great teacher. Mrs. Suttner has a strong music education background and years of experience teaching music at all levels, which is apparent in her approach with students of all ages. She is able to connect, engage, challenge, and motivate, and cares about the success of all of her students. She has a way of improving the student’s technical skills while still keeping the lessons and music interesting. Learning violin at the Suttner String Studio has been fun and I’m looking forward to continuing for many years!

Ms. Suttner has taught private violin lessons to my children for over 7 years. She is an outstanding teacher and tailors her lessons for each student using a variety of techniques to help each student succeed. My son has truly grown as a musician under Ms. Suttner’s direction. As an ambitious young violinist at the age of 8, Ms. Suttner challenged him with different techniques and styles of music. She encouraged him to audition for the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra when he was in the 5th grade, and he has advanced through this fantastic program, as he is now in his 5th season as part of the IYO. Ms. Suttner is patient and dedicated to helping her students achieve their goals. Over the years, she has helped him prepare for numerous seating auditions, music camps, and Concerto competitions, for which he recently received a second place award. Once in middle school, Ms. Suttner also successfully coached him for the annual ISSMA solo and ensemble contests, for which he has gone to the State ISSMA contest 3 years in a row, receiving the highest honor of ‘gold with distinction’ each and every year. Leah is adored by all of her students, and this is the most evident at her recitals where her youngest students, often in preschool or kindergarten, perform alongside her most advanced high school students. While some of her students are serious musicians and decide to pursue careers in music, others are simply there to learn a new skill and gain an appreciation for the fine arts. Ms. Suttner is supportive of all of her students and helps her students achieve their goals, whatever they may be.

My daughter began violin lessons with Leah in 6th grade. Due to Leah’s excellent skills as a teacher, my daughter learned to read music and developed a passion for playing her instrument, and she continues to musically improve. Not only is Leah an exceptional teacher, she also remains an extremely positive influence in my daughter’s life. Leah loves her students and encourages them to work to their optimal potential. She provides them many opportunities to perform in the community. Leah spent time after school coaching my daughter’s quartet, which furthered her growth as a young musician. As a parent, I cannot say enough wonderful things about Leah. She took students who could not read any music and had never held an instrument and turned them into  performers.