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Violin - Piano - Cello - Guitar - Musical Theatre - Early Childhood -Adult Cultural programs
Young Strings
Our Teachers
You'll discover that your child receives so much more than just a private music lesson - they gain mentors who are deeply invested in their musical and personal growth. You'll have confidence knowing our faculty stays at the forefront of Suzuki education through ongoing training and workshops, maintaining their accreditation with the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
You'll experience the power of our collaborative approach as our entire team works together to guide your family on a musical journey that will enhance and change your child's life. You'll feel supported knowing that every teacher is committed not just to musical excellence, but to nurturing the whole child.
Interested in joining the SSSM team?
Christy Hodder
Suzuki School Director / NSYA / Violin / Practicing Pro Academy digital course creator / ACAC Director
Christy has her Bachelor of Music Education from Acadia University where she studied violin from Edmund Agopian. Christy has received Suzuki training from Ronda Cole, Pat D’Ercole, Sherry Cadow, Dorthy Jones, Charles Krigbaum, and Martha Shackford. She is the Founder and Director of the Scotia Suzuki School of Music, the Nova Scotia Youth Ambassadors (performance group), and the Suzuki Practicing Academy.
With three recordings and 8 years as the lead in the Celtic conference band Lochaber, She is experienced in performing. Christy has built with a wonderful team of Suzuki instructors an incredible Suzuki community of high-level musicians and has brought music into families' homes and children's lives in Halifax....even extending from Bridgewater to Windsor and to New Glasgow.
Christy, also known as "the Practicing Pro", created the Suzuki Practicing Academy, a digital course, to help and support parents and teachers all over the world to have effective, positive and FUN home music practices!
Christy has her Bachelor of Music Education from Acadia University where she studied violin from Edmund Agopian. Christy has received Suzuki training from Ronda Cole, Pat D’Ercole, Sherry Cadow, Dorthy Jones, Charles Krigbaum, and Martha Shackford. She is the Founder and Director of the Scotia Suzuki School of Music, the Nova Scotia Youth Ambassadors (performance group), and the Suzuki Practicing Academy.
With three recordings and 8 years as the lead in the Celtic conference band Lochaber, She is experienced in performing. Christy has built with a wonderful team of Suzuki instructors an incredible Suzuki community of high-level musicians and has brought music into families' homes and children's lives in Halifax....even extending from Bridgewater to Windsor and to New Glasgow.
Christy, also known as "the Practicing Pro", created the Suzuki Practicing Academy, a digital course, to help and support parents and teachers all over the world to have effective, positive and FUN home music practices!
Caleb Allred
Musical Theatre / Vocal / Dance / SECE Head / Vocal Group Director no thank you thank you
Born and raised in Mesa, Arizona, Caleb is a Trained Vocal Instructor from New York Vocal Coaching under Justin Stoney in New York City. He is a Suzuki Early Childhood Education teacher trained in both level one and two by the program creators, Sharon Jones and Dorothy Jones. He has a BA in Latin American Studies from BYU and an Associates of Arts Degree from CGCC. Caleb is a member of ACTRA and is a stunt performer and actor in the film industry of Nova Scotia with roles on productions such as Washington Black by Disney, Moonshine on Netflix, and Kids Vs Aliens. He has been training as a performer and has performed in various musicals in the states for the past 17 years. He is a singer/dancer/acrobat and served as an assistant director of the BYU Young Ambassadors and completed an international tour with them of “Welcome Home” performing across the United States and Brazil. He served as an LDS performing mission in Nauvoo, Illinois in 2010. He toured with the cast of the Young Ambassadors to Northern California and Nauvoo, IL in 2015. Having millions of views on YouTube and social media platforms, Caleb’s Hip-Hop and Acrobatic audience is world wide. Recently he was featured on Impossible Talents the TV show with over 2 million subscribers. He has been a Swing Dance and Hip-Hop instructor in various studios in Arizona and Utah since 2012 and has also worked as a collegiate choreographer for various musical productions.
Born and raised in Mesa, Arizona, Caleb is a Trained Vocal Instructor from New York Vocal Coaching under Justin Stoney in New York City. He is a Suzuki Early Childhood Education teacher trained in both level one and two by the program creators, Sharon Jones and Dorothy Jones. He has a BA in Latin American Studies from BYU and an Associates of Arts Degree from CGCC. Caleb is a member of ACTRA and is a stunt performer and actor in the film industry of Nova Scotia with roles on productions such as Washington Black by Disney, Moonshine on Netflix, and Kids Vs Aliens. He has been training as a performer and has performed in various musicals in the states for the past 17 years. He is a singer/dancer/acrobat and served as an assistant director of the BYU Young Ambassadors and completed an international tour with them of “Welcome Home” performing across the United States and Brazil. He served as an LDS performing mission in Nauvoo, Illinois in 2010. He toured with the cast of the Young Ambassadors to Northern California and Nauvoo, IL in 2015. Having millions of views on YouTube and social media platforms, Caleb’s Hip-Hop and Acrobatic audience is world wide. Recently he was featured on Impossible Talents the TV show with over 2 million subscribers. He has been a Swing Dance and Hip-Hop instructor in various studios in Arizona and Utah since 2012 and has also worked as a collegiate choreographer for various musical productions.
Elsa (Hodder) Allred
Musical Theatre / Vocal / Head Teacher / Dance / Director of Professional Musical Theatre Certification programs
From Halifax, Nova Scotia, Elsa has been training and performing in music, dance, and theatre since a very young age. She is a Trained Vocal Instructor from New York Vocal Coaching under Justin Stoney in New York City. She is a Suzuki Early Childhood Education teacher trained in both level one and two by the program creators, Sharon Jones and Dorothy Jones. Elsa has a Professional Dance Diploma from the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. She performed as a lead dancer and singer with the Brigham Young University’s Young Ambassadors on their international tour of “Welcome Home” performing across the United States and Brazil. Winning a Repy Award for her role as Louise in Carousel with Utah Repertory Theatre and performing lead roles in over a dozen musicals, Elsa is very passionate about performing and helping her students to experience the joy that can come from lifting and inspiring others through their performances. Elsa has studied Shakespeare and Contemporary theatre in London, England and acting from numerous instructors and professors including Tim Threlfall and Amy Jenson. She has competed in countless dance and musical theater competitions over the years. In 2015, she represented Nova Scotia at CANdance Competition at the International championship level, ranking her as an overall title soloist winner. Elsa has training at schools such as The National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet School and Ballet West. Elsa’s passion and experience in the arts is not limited to performing. With this experience and training, Elsa has taught music, dance and theatre classes for years as well as choreographed for many productions. She is passionate about bringing current, healthy and technical voice education to her students in Nova Scotia so they can sing and master any style and have vocal strength and longevity!
From Halifax, Nova Scotia, Elsa has been training and performing in music, dance, and theatre since a very young age. She is a Trained Vocal Instructor from New York Vocal Coaching under Justin Stoney in New York City. She is a Suzuki Early Childhood Education teacher trained in both level one and two by the program creators, Sharon Jones and Dorothy Jones. Elsa has a Professional Dance Diploma from the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. She performed as a lead dancer and singer with the Brigham Young University’s Young Ambassadors on their international tour of “Welcome Home” performing across the United States and Brazil. Winning a Repy Award for her role as Louise in Carousel with Utah Repertory Theatre and performing lead roles in over a dozen musicals, Elsa is very passionate about performing and helping her students to experience the joy that can come from lifting and inspiring others through their performances. Elsa has studied Shakespeare and Contemporary theatre in London, England and acting from numerous instructors and professors including Tim Threlfall and Amy Jenson. She has competed in countless dance and musical theater competitions over the years. In 2015, she represented Nova Scotia at CANdance Competition at the International championship level, ranking her as an overall title soloist winner. Elsa has training at schools such as The National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet School and Ballet West. Elsa’s passion and experience in the arts is not limited to performing. With this experience and training, Elsa has taught music, dance and theatre classes for years as well as choreographed for many productions. She is passionate about bringing current, healthy and technical voice education to her students in Nova Scotia so they can sing and master any style and have vocal strength and longevity!
Alex Crick
Violin / Guitar
Alex Crick is an accomplished music educator from England with a diverse background in international teaching and musical performance. He studied guitar and violin from a young age, and holds a degree in Music with a focus on composition from the University of Huddersfield in the UK. Alex's passion for teaching was ignited during his time in China, where he initially taught English and discovered a love for travel and education.
After becoming a certified International Baccalaureate (IB) Music teacher, Alex took charge of the Middle Years Programme (MYP) music curriculum at an international school in China. In this role, he not only taught band classes, inquiry and composition, but also organized and directed the school's concerts, including the highly anticipated annual winter concerts for parents and the local community.
Alex now calls Halifax his home and looks forward to bringing the joy of music making to as many people as possible
Alex Crick is an accomplished music educator from England with a diverse background in international teaching and musical performance. He studied guitar and violin from a young age, and holds a degree in Music with a focus on composition from the University of Huddersfield in the UK. Alex's passion for teaching was ignited during his time in China, where he initially taught English and discovered a love for travel and education.
After becoming a certified International Baccalaureate (IB) Music teacher, Alex took charge of the Middle Years Programme (MYP) music curriculum at an international school in China. In this role, he not only taught band classes, inquiry and composition, but also organized and directed the school's concerts, including the highly anticipated annual winter concerts for parents and the local community.
Alex now calls Halifax his home and looks forward to bringing the joy of music making to as many people as possible
Amy Spurr-Caveney
Violin
Nova Scotian violinist Amy Spurr-Caveney has found her way onto multiple stages across Canada and Mexico. Recently, Amy performed on the 2021 Juno winning album “Heart Parade” by the children’s group, Splash’N Boots.
Amy has over ten years of experience teaching violin, viola, and piano. She has prepared students for exams, competitions, and solo performances. In addition to teaching private and group lessons, Amy has given masterclasses in Mexico at the Festival Internacional de Musica (Guadalajara) and Fesitval de Febrero (Ajijic).
While freelancing as a violinist in Toronto, Amy performed with international stars such as Michael Bublé and 2Cellos. In 2019, Amy premiered Jordon O’Connor’s Violin Concerto. Also an avid orchestral musician, Amy has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphonia, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. Amy participated as an artist at multiple summer orchestral and chamber music festivals including the National Academy Orchestra of Canada, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Orchestre de la Francophonie, Domaine Forget, Orford Academy, and Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival.
Amy studied violin with Annalee Patipatanakoon of the Gryphon Trio and Nancy Dahn of Duo Concertante, as well as performing in masterclasses for renowned violinists such as James Ehnes and Jonathan Crow. Amy holds degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Toronto.
Nova Scotian violinist Amy Spurr-Caveney has found her way onto multiple stages across Canada and Mexico. Recently, Amy performed on the 2021 Juno winning album “Heart Parade” by the children’s group, Splash’N Boots.
Amy has over ten years of experience teaching violin, viola, and piano. She has prepared students for exams, competitions, and solo performances. In addition to teaching private and group lessons, Amy has given masterclasses in Mexico at the Festival Internacional de Musica (Guadalajara) and Fesitval de Febrero (Ajijic).
While freelancing as a violinist in Toronto, Amy performed with international stars such as Michael Bublé and 2Cellos. In 2019, Amy premiered Jordon O’Connor’s Violin Concerto. Also an avid orchestral musician, Amy has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphonia, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. Amy participated as an artist at multiple summer orchestral and chamber music festivals including the National Academy Orchestra of Canada, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Orchestre de la Francophonie, Domaine Forget, Orford Academy, and Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival.
Amy studied violin with Annalee Patipatanakoon of the Gryphon Trio and Nancy Dahn of Duo Concertante, as well as performing in masterclasses for renowned violinists such as James Ehnes and Jonathan Crow. Amy holds degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Toronto.
Ashar Trim - Gaskin
Violin
My name is Asher Trim-Gaskin. Asher hails from the beautiful island of Barbados. His leadership qualities emerged as a delegate of the Global Youth Leadership Conference as an early teen. He is an avid sportsman–having represented the island in swimming and rubgy and he is a 23-year classical violinist–10 of which were spent as first violin in the Barbados National Youth Orchestra. Currently, he is a member of the Nova Scotia community orchestra Nova Sinfonia.
In 2017, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a Certificate in Genetics from Dalhousie University. During his time at DAL he was President of the Caribbean Connection Student Society for two consecutive years and more recently, he was a Teaching Assistant for second-year Genetics and Diversity courses. To further satisfy his love for community development and leadership, Asher leads a youth group and plays violin in the band of his local church Deep Water.
My name is Asher Trim-Gaskin. Asher hails from the beautiful island of Barbados. His leadership qualities emerged as a delegate of the Global Youth Leadership Conference as an early teen. He is an avid sportsman–having represented the island in swimming and rubgy and he is a 23-year classical violinist–10 of which were spent as first violin in the Barbados National Youth Orchestra. Currently, he is a member of the Nova Scotia community orchestra Nova Sinfonia.
In 2017, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a Certificate in Genetics from Dalhousie University. During his time at DAL he was President of the Caribbean Connection Student Society for two consecutive years and more recently, he was a Teaching Assistant for second-year Genetics and Diversity courses. To further satisfy his love for community development and leadership, Asher leads a youth group and plays violin in the band of his local church Deep Water.
Ben Rutz
Violin / Fiddle
A native of Pembroke, Ontario, now residing in Bedford, Nova Scotia, Ben is the live touring fiddle and mandolin player for multi platinum selling, muliti Juno and CCMA award winning artist- Johnny Reid. A six time Canadian Country Music Association Award nominee for “Fiddle Player of the Year”, Ben was only 17 years old when he had the tremendous opportunity to back Johnny Reid at the Grand Ole Opry Ryman Stage in Nashville, TN. Over the past number of years, Ben has toured and or recorded with Johnny Reid, George Canyon, Terri Clark, Jimmy Rankin, Jason Blaine, the Stella's and Glass Tiger to name a few. Over the years, Ben taught music to the Kindergarten- 9th grade students of the Renfrew County Catholic School Board and was awarded "Educator of the Year" in 2021/2022. Ben is presently a full time ESL educator at the Bedford Academy Ben is a proud husband and father- he and his wife Meredith have 2 beautiful children- Carwyn (7). and Giada (5), he loves to golf and is honored to be a part of the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship this year.
A native of Pembroke, Ontario, now residing in Bedford, Nova Scotia, Ben is the live touring fiddle and mandolin player for multi platinum selling, muliti Juno and CCMA award winning artist- Johnny Reid. A six time Canadian Country Music Association Award nominee for “Fiddle Player of the Year”, Ben was only 17 years old when he had the tremendous opportunity to back Johnny Reid at the Grand Ole Opry Ryman Stage in Nashville, TN. Over the past number of years, Ben has toured and or recorded with Johnny Reid, George Canyon, Terri Clark, Jimmy Rankin, Jason Blaine, the Stella's and Glass Tiger to name a few. Over the years, Ben taught music to the Kindergarten- 9th grade students of the Renfrew County Catholic School Board and was awarded "Educator of the Year" in 2021/2022. Ben is presently a full time ESL educator at the Bedford Academy Ben is a proud husband and father- he and his wife Meredith have 2 beautiful children- Carwyn (7). and Giada (5), he loves to golf and is honored to be a part of the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship this year.
Caroline Boulter
Violin / Step dance
Caroline is studying violin at Dalhousie University. She has been taking violin and dance lessons since she was 3! She moved to Nova Scotia in 7th grade and started taking lessons with Christy Hodder. Caroline was a member of the NSYA, and is a current member of the NSYO and NSWYE. Caroline competed in the 2019, 2021, and 2022 Nova Scotia Provincial music festival for junior and senior strings, as well as the 2021 and 2022 junior woodwinds class. She is the 2022 recipient of the New Glasgow Music Festival Rose Bowl. Caroline is very excited to continue to teach and make music alongside Scotia Suzuki School students and faculty!
Caroline is studying violin at Dalhousie University. She has been taking violin and dance lessons since she was 3! She moved to Nova Scotia in 7th grade and started taking lessons with Christy Hodder. Caroline was a member of the NSYA, and is a current member of the NSYO and NSWYE. Caroline competed in the 2019, 2021, and 2022 Nova Scotia Provincial music festival for junior and senior strings, as well as the 2021 and 2022 junior woodwinds class. She is the 2022 recipient of the New Glasgow Music Festival Rose Bowl. Caroline is very excited to continue to teach and make music alongside Scotia Suzuki School students and faculty!
Cas Fouchard
Piano / SECE
Cas' passion for music has been with him since a young age. Growing up in rural Newfoundland, he was introduced to a variety of folk and classical music, and experienced first-hand the impact music can have in creating a sense of community and self. He has been performing and practicing music since the age of 3, with a focus on piano for the past 10 years. He is now a third-year student at Dalhousie majoring in classical piano, with his current teacher Peter Allen.
He has a large musical background that aside from playing the piano includes guitar and violin, as well as singing in multiple vocal ensembles. He has won several awards, including at Kiwanis competitions, and has performed in regional groups of musicians to fundraise and perform at charity events.
Cas is a gifted musician who is dedicated to sharing his love of music with others, especially children. Inspired by a previous vocal teacher, he aims to follow her footsteps in creating a comfortable learning atmosphere where practicing is not a chore, but a time of expression and connection.
He is excited to continue to perform and teach music in the future with the Suzuki school. He believes that his studies and future degree are only the beginning of a rewarding career in the music industry.
Cas plans to use his mastery of the art to bring joy to others and continue traditions in further building the music community. He hopes to open doors into whole new worlds, just as his past ten years with the piano have done for him.
Cas' passion for music has been with him since a young age. Growing up in rural Newfoundland, he was introduced to a variety of folk and classical music, and experienced first-hand the impact music can have in creating a sense of community and self. He has been performing and practicing music since the age of 3, with a focus on piano for the past 10 years. He is now a third-year student at Dalhousie majoring in classical piano, with his current teacher Peter Allen.
He has a large musical background that aside from playing the piano includes guitar and violin, as well as singing in multiple vocal ensembles. He has won several awards, including at Kiwanis competitions, and has performed in regional groups of musicians to fundraise and perform at charity events.
Cas is a gifted musician who is dedicated to sharing his love of music with others, especially children. Inspired by a previous vocal teacher, he aims to follow her footsteps in creating a comfortable learning atmosphere where practicing is not a chore, but a time of expression and connection.
He is excited to continue to perform and teach music in the future with the Suzuki school. He believes that his studies and future degree are only the beginning of a rewarding career in the music industry.
Cas plans to use his mastery of the art to bring joy to others and continue traditions in further building the music community. He hopes to open doors into whole new worlds, just as his past ten years with the piano have done for him.
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