Violinist, Virginia Sloan, considers herself a specialist in Early Childhood Suzuki Method. While using other styles and approaches to learning, Virginia incorporates a wealth of performing experience, training and her love for children into her teaching. Though she instructs musicians of all levels, she has found her niche with younger children.
Virginia completed Suzuki Pedagogy training at the University of Tennessee and, over the years, has continued her training with world renowned teachers in the field including William Starr, Doris Preucil, Ed Kreitman and Linda Fiore.
Virginia became a section violinist with the Knoxville Symphony in 1985 and played with them for five years. She performed with such greats as Andy Williams, Joshua Bell, Midori, Nadjia Salerno Sonnenburg, Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick and Luciano Pavarotti. During that time she spent two summers at the Aspen Music Festival (‘87 and ‘88). In 1990 she moved back to her native Atlanta and began teaching and freelancing. She has played with area orchestras and ensembles including Cobb Symphony and the Dekalb Symphony. Virginia has also worked as a studio recording artist and performed with Smokey Robinson and Bread at The Fred in Peachtree City. In 1993 Virginia founded and directed Atlanta Suzuki Violin in Buckhead where she also directed “Musical Mornings Summer Day Camp” and taught Kindermusik classes. In 1992 she was awarded the prestigious position of teacher to the grandson of Raphael Hillyer, founding member of the Juilliard String Quartet.
Virginia has served on the board of the Suzuki Association of Georgia and is currently a member. In 2020 Virginia became a member of the board with the Atlanta Suzuki Institute. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.