Georgia Strings Biographies
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 teaches violin at Berean Baptist Music Academy in Snellville, Georgia. She also maintains a private studio in Dacula.
Dana Satchwell, Viola
Dana Satchwell, an Atlanta native, began her professional teaching career in 2001 as 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 completed an Education Specialist degree from the same University. During her attendance at UGA she earned various academic and music accolades, including the J. Kimbrell Scholarship for promising new teachers.
While teaching in the Gwinnett County School System she has participated as a guest clinician for Cherokee County Honor Orchestra and served as middle school lead teacher of the University of Georgia summer music camp.
Kelly Taylor, Cello
Kelly holds her Bachelor's, Master's, and Education Specialist's degrees from the University of Georgia. While at UGA, she received awards for string pedagogy, piano pedagogy, piano performance, and academic achievement.
Kelly has performed as a soloist with the DaSalo Solisti Chamber Orchestra.
She is a member of ASTA and MENC, and she currently serves as District 13
Orchestra Chairperson for the Georgia Music Educators' Association.
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.