Master Teacher:

Judy Weigert Bossuat, was the String Project Master Teacher at the University of California, Sacramento from 2002-2005 and returned to this position in Fall 2007. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the State University College, Crane School of Music in Potsdam, New York, graduating Magna Cum Laude and is a 1978 graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan where she studied with Shinichi Suzuki, returning in 1982 to do post-graduate work.

Bossuat has been teaching strings, conducting orchestras, and training teachers for over 35 years; 16 of them at the “Ecole de Musique Suzuki” in Lyon, France. Many of her former students have attended prominent conservatories and are pursuing professional careers soloing and playing in leading orchestras worldwide. She is especially known for her work training music teachers both for public school positions and private studio teaching.

Bossuat's career has also included faculty positions at the University of the Pacific - Stockton CA and the University of Oregon – Eugene, as well as private and public school teaching and youth orchestra conducting.

Bossuat currently serves as secretary on the national board of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and on the national board of the National String Project Consortium (NSPC). She is an authorized Suzuki Method teacher trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the European Suzuki Association, and an honorary life member of the European Suzuki Association (ESA) and the French Suzuki Association. She has served as president of the California chapter of the American String Teachers Association (CALASTA) and orchestra representative of CMEA Bay Section.

Bossuat was named the “2007 Graduate of Distinction” by the Victor Central School District (N.Y.) She has also received an “Eminence Credential” from the California State Credentialing Board and been named to Who's Who of American Women 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008; Who's Who in American Education 2006, 2007, 2008; and Who's Who in America 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

In addition to her current university work and private studio teaching, Bossuat is a frequent lecturer, conductor, and teacher at workshops in Europe, Canada, and throughout the United States. She has had numerous publications including articles, compositions, and orchestral arrangements. Particularly popular is her theatrical piece for two rappers and beginning orchestra titled “Beginner's Rap,” her two “Takataka Concertos” (one on E and one on A) for beginners and young string orchestra or piano; and her books, Left Hand Development for the Violin and Learning to Sight Read on the Violin .

Teacher Apprentices:

University students who teach in the String Project prepare recruiting demonstrations for local schools, teach lessons and group classes, conduct student orchestras, and lead sectionals. All activities are under the supervision of the Master Teacher.

Most teacher apprentices have a stringed instrument as their major instrument, but music education majors in other applied fields are eligible for the String Project with permission of the Master Teacher and Director.

By the time the undergraduate students graduate from CSUS, they will have had several years of experience and are well prepared to begin their teaching careers.

Through their music curriculum, they receive private instruction on violin, viola, cello and bass from the applied faculty at CSUS.

University students who are teaching in the CSUS String Project receive stipends of between $400-$2000 per year. They are also eligible for additional music and academic scholarships.

CSUS School of Music scholarship audition information

String Project Apprentice Teachers

Stephen Barbee

Kin_Stephen.Barbee@yahoo.com

Stephen Barbee played the violin through high school and switched to the viola a little while after transferring to CSUS. He is working towards a minor in music and looking at expanding his experiences in the musical field. This is his first semester officially teaching in the String Project after interning in spring 2009.

Courtney Castaneda clc232@saclink.csus.edu

Courtney Castaneda, a 2007 graduate of UC Davis with a double major in music and psychology, is a graduate student in cello performance and a String Project teacher. She has taught in Davis for several years and has spent summers attending music festivals in Paris and Vienna.

Vijay Chalasani vijay@consults.com

Vijay Chalasani is a viola performance major from Antioch. He began teaching in the String Project in Fall 2007. Vijay has been known to dabble in fiddle, jazz and rock music. In addition to the viola he also plays violin, guitar, stand-up bass, cello and mandolin.

Ehren Grubel

Ehren Grubel transfered to Sacramento State in the Fall of 2009 andimmediately began teaching on the string project. A violinist, Ehren is especially interested in alternative styles.

Holly Harrison hollymharrison@gmail.com

Holly Harrison, a viola performance Master's student from the Fresno area, studies with Anna Kruger. She began teaching on the String Project in fall 2006 . Holly plays in several orchestras and has a growing studio of violin and viola students.

Sarena Hsu sarenahsu@gmail.com

Sarena Hsu is currently a sophomore from the Bay Area and has been playing the violin for 13 years.  Sarena also has been playing the piano for 14 years and the viola for 7 years. In her spare time, she enjoys playing basketball, karate, and photography.   

Shannon Houston

Shannonh1991@aol.com

Shannon Houston is from Antioch and is a freshman at Sac State who has begun his work as a Violin Performance Major. He has played in many styles including jazz, classical and bluegrass. He has performed as a soloist with the Pacific Chamber Symphony and the Young Artists Symphony Orchestra. He has a passion for teaching others and playing the violin.

Paolo Reyes Lidd0kun2k3@yahoo.com
(zero in the middle)

Paolo Reyes is a junior violin performance major who started on the String Project in fall 2007. He enjoys practicing, is proficient on viola, has gained a good competency level on cello and has become our resident string bassist.

Tim Stanley timcello@hotmail.com

Timothy Stanley holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, a Master Degree from Sacramento State in cello performance and began teaching on the project in fall 2004. He maintains a teaching studio in Sacramento. He performs in area orchestras and chamber ensembles. and is a founding member of the ensembles Citywater and Confluentes Baroque Quartet.

Alex Winter alexwinter25@yahoo.com

Alex Winter is a sophomore cello performance major at Sacramento State and began teaching at the String Project in fall 2008. He enjoys playing Frisbee and listening to many genres of music. His favorite cellist is Jacqueline Du Pre.