Jennifer Johnson, Violin
Jennifer Johnson was raised in Winder, Georgia and began violin studies at the age of four. She participated in master classes, festivals and competitions throughout high school winning various awards and scholarships. Jennifer attended the University of Georgia where she graduated with her Bachelor of Music degree and Master of Music degree, both in Violin Performance. While at the University, she performed with the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, the UGA Symphony Orchestra, and the ARCO Chamber Orchestra, with whom she has performed across Georgia and also at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall in New York. Jennifer currently maintains a private violin studio from her home in Hoschton. |
Kathy Wallace, Violin
Kathy Wallace, a native of Atlanta, has served as orchestra director for the Gwinnett County Public School for 21 years. Prior to her service in Gwinnett, she taught orchestra for the Atlanta Public school system. She holds a Bachelor of Music/Education from the University of Georgia, a Masters of Music/Education from Georgia State University, and an Education Specialist degree from the University of Georgia. While teaching in the Gwinnett County Schools, she has served as the Lead teacher in orchestra for the Gwinnett County Schools Fine Arts department and was elected to serve as the GMEA state orchestra chair from 1999-2001. In addition to teaching, she enjoys playing free-lance violin in the Atlanta area, and has played in orchestras backing Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell, the Moody Blues, Olivia Newton-John, Michael Bolton, and Harry Connick, Jr. Kathy’s husband, Tom Wallace, is a well-known arranger and trumpet player as well. |
Kathryn Otwell, Violin
Kathryn G. Otwell began violin at the age of three under the tutelage of her mother, Valerie B. Gardner (graduate of Curtis Institute of Music). Kathryn continued her study in violin receiving both her undergraduate and masters in violin performance. Since the age of sixteen, she has soloed with various symphonies and won multiple scholarships. She has performed internationally with various ensembles and has instructed nationally in numerous violin workshops. Kathryn has been teaching privately for over twenty years and continues to instruct violin and piano in her home and at the New School of Music in Lilburn. She performs currently with Greenville Symphony, Atlanta Opera, and Asheville Symphony. When not musically engaged, Kathryn enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and teaching martial arts.
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Dana Lu, Viola/Quartet Manager
Dana Lu began her professional teaching career in 2001 as an orchestra director for the Gwinnett County Public School System. She holds Bachelors and Masters of Music Education degrees from the University of Georgia. In May 2005, she also completed an Education Specialist degree from the same University. Mrs. Lu began her teaching career at McConnell Middle School and moved to Richard Hull Middle School in 2006. While teaching in Gwinnett she has participated as a regional honor orchestra clinician, Conductor for the University of Georgia summer music camp, and various other workshops and clinics. In 2004, Mrs. Lu’s orchestra was invited to perform alongside McConnell’s chorus at the Georgia Music Educators State Convention. Her Hull Orchestra was awarded the Expemplary Performance Award by GMEA in 2011. Mrs. Lu has also served on various county-wide committees such as the pilot text book committee and the AKS to GPS writing committee. |
Anne Hobbs, Cello
A wonderful life of music began for Anne Hobbs at the age of 7 with the piano & cello. She received a Bachelor of Music degree and a Post Graduate Performer’s Diploma from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa under the guidance of cellist Marian Lewin. Her postgraduate studies include a Master of Arts in Cello Performance from the University of Western Illinois, USA. Here, she also received her certification in the Suzuki Method of Teaching with Dr. Tanya Carey.
As a professional orchestra and chamber musician, Anne has performed with The Pro Musica Orchestra, Transvaal Chamber Orchestra, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, Springfield Symphony and played for 6 years with the National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa where she had the honor of playing with renowned performers such as Luciano Pavarotti and Kiri Te Kanawa. Having taught cello for 35 years, she loves being a part of the opportunity that cello playing brings to her students. She currently teaches cello full time and freelances with various chamber groups. She is married to Peter and has 3 adult sons, Daniel, Wesley and John. |