Susan Beth Barak; BA (Hons); MEd. Susan deeply believes in the Suzuki philosophy and is grateful to have a wonderful group of students and families in the Heart-Strings studio. Besides private and group lessons; Heart-Strings students enjoy performing throughout the community throughout the year; and fundraise for charitable organizations in the true Suzuki spirit. From senior residences to Fairy Lake to Pickering College to the Cardinal Golf Club to the Bradford Arts Centre and area churches; Heart-Strings students share their love of music all around York Region and South Simcoe. Heart-Strings also collaborates with other studios to bring innovative workshops and guest clinicians to the local Suzuki community. Many students enjoy performing in provincial music festivals and some also take RCM exams. Whatever your goals are; Susan is happy to work with families to support them to succeed while having fun; and most importantly; developing beautiful hearts and fine character.

Susan has performed internationally with a wide variety of orchestras and chamber groups and is a frequent soloist in York Region; Ontario. A founding member of the York Chamber Ensemble; she led the organization of YCE?s inaugural Annual Youth Concert in 2004; and the Baroque for Belinda fundraiser for Belinda?s Place [York Region?s first dedicated women?s shelter] in 2012.

In addition to active membership in the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and Suzuki Association of Ontario (SAO); Susan is also a member of the Toronto Musicians Association (TMA) Local 149 of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM); Ontario Registered Music Teachers of Ontario (ORMTA) and certified affiliate music teacher of the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM). She recently presented at the European Suzuki Viola Gathering in El Escorial Spain on applying second language acquisition theory to optimize music teaching and learning.

As well as an enthusiastic music teacher and lifelong student; Susan is a mother of four and grandmother of two; published writer; certified Life Skills Coach; registered yoga teacher (CYA-RYT 300); certified Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages; and advocate for human rights and social justice with a focus on disability.