Private Instruction
Suzuki Education
Group Lessons
BM, Piano Performance and Music Education, Musashino Academia Musicae, Tokyo, Japan (studied with
Sanae Somada, Mizuko Hiekata, Robert Edwards, William Browning, Donald Walker
She also studied Suzuki piano pedagogy with Diana Galindo
Vocal studies with Muneaki Taguchi, Lorian Stein Schwaber, Barbara Ann Martin
Significant teachers and mentors:
A few of Kate's most influential teachers and mentors include those with whom she studied during her time at the Musashino Academia Musicae in Japan, and a few others as well. Those that she studied with include: William Browning, Lorian Stein Schwaber, and Sanae Somada. Others include: Diana Galindo, Yasuko Joichi, Karl Johnson, and Robert Walker.
Awards and achievements:
Directed a children's choir in Tokyo and Park districts in Chicago Western Suburbs
Kate directed summer productions of musical theater at Judlicka Performing Art Center
Recordings:
Kate has made recordings and directed productions of pop, gospel, and 20th Century Music for various artists in Chicago area as a keyboardist, vocalist, and an arranger.
Ms. Nir's area of expertise is centered around the Suzuki Method.
Member, CAMTA (Chicago Music Teachers Association)
Member, MTNA (Music Teachers National Association)
Member, NSMTA (Northshore Music Teachers Association)
Member, SAA (Suzuki Association of American),
Artistic Director, The Society of American Musicians (SAM), Chicago, Illinois
Choir Director, Trinity Community Church, Berwyn, Illinois
Favorite quote:
"Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom.” "Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.” "I will be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside box when there's evidence of any thinking going on inside it." all by Terry Pratchett
Favorite composer or piece to play:
There are too many pieces and composers to list...then, just a few of them. WTK by J.S.Bach, Concertino for Marimba by Paul Creston, New York State of Mind by Billy Joel, Clarinet Concerto, K622, A major, 2nd movement by W.A.Mozart, Sonata for Flute and Piano by Francis Poulenc, Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth