LC - Violin

Lisa Hollis – Violin Instructor (Grades 1-3)
Lisa Hollis is an experienced Suzuki violin and viola teacher with a passion for nurturing young musicians in both individual and group settings. She began violin at age five and holds a Master of Music degree in violin performance and Suzuki pedagogy from Northern Arizona University, where she studied with Dr. Louise Scott and Karin Hallberg. Her extensive Suzuki training also includes work with Libby Armour, Linda Fiore, Ed Kreitman, Barbara Barber, and Dorothy Jones.Lisa has taught in a wide variety of settings—from private studios to school classrooms—both in the U.S. and abroad. She spent nearly a decade teaching at the Bermuda School of Music, where she led group classes, orchestra, and theory, and helped develop the school’s Suzuki program. Her students were frequent performers and competition winners, and she led them on both local and international tours.Since moving to the Boston area in 2013, Lisa has been on the faculty of the Suzuki School of Newton, where she teaches violin, viola, Suzuki Early Childhood Education, and preschool music. She also directs In Harmony, an advanced touring ensemble of young string players known for its dynamic performances that blend classical, pop, fiddle, and choreographed repertoire.Lisa is known for her creative, engaging group classes that emphasize collaboration, technique, and musical joy. She is currently principal second violin of the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra and also performs with the Quincy and Portsmouth symphonies.Outside the studio and concert hall, Lisa is a certified scuba instructor and is kept company at home by her two cats, Maddie and Lulu—who are quite certain they are the real stars of every Zoom lesson. She looks forward to sharing her expertise and love of music with students in grades 1-3.

Contact: [email protected]

UC - Violin

Elyana Schaer – Violin Instructor (Grades 4–6)
Elyana Schaer is a versatile violinist and composer dedicated to helping students discover creativity and confidence in music. She holds dual Master’s degrees in Jazz & Contemporary Violin Performance and Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College, and a BA from Princeton University. Elyana’s performance experience spans chamber, orchestral, and ensemble work, and she performs on both acoustic and electric violin. As a composer, she creates music across diverse genres and expressive ranges. In her teaching, Elyana emphasizes strong fundamentals in technique, music theory, and the basics of composition alongside stylistic versatility. She believes learning the violin should be engaging and enjoyable and takes the time to get to know her students, selecting music that reflects their personal interests and goals. Elyana is also trained as a violist and is happy to work with students interested in learning the viola. She looks forward to sharing her expertise and love of music with students in grades 4–6.

Contact: [email protected]

LC - Cello

Alyssa  Lawson – Cello Instructor (Grades 1-3)
Cellist Alyssa Lawson is a creative performer and experienced teacher. She holds a master's degree in Cello Performance from Boston University, where she studied with Michael Reynolds. She is a Fulbright scholar with a B.A. in Music from Swarthmore College and an M.A. in Ethnomusicology from UCLA. Alyssa has completed Suzuki teacher training in all ten volumes, primarily with Nancy Hair and David Evenchick. She is also a trained teacher of Music Mind Games. Alyssa teaches at the Suzuki School of Newton and is on the faculty of the New England Suzuki Institute. She is a founding member of Cellos on the Charles, a group that supports cello education in Eastern Massachusetts. Alyssa has performed with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, indie folk band The Morning Architect, the Boston Arabic Music Ensemble, the Aurelia Ensemble, and many chamber ensembles. She helped create the innovative performance group Spectacle Collective, which combines classical music with other art forms. She looks forward to sharing her expertise and love of music with students in grades 1-3.

Contact: [email protected]

UC - Cello

Nicholas Tsang – Cello Instructor (Grades 4–6) 

Nicholas Tsang is a classically trained cellist from Hong Kong, currently based in the U.S and a graduate from New England Conservatory. He earned his FTCL Diploma in Cello Performance at just 14 and received over a decade of orchestral training with the Pro Arte Orchestra of Hong Kong. He has studied under world-renowned teachers, including Laurence Lesser at the New England Conservatory and Alan Rafferty at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Nicholas is an active performer and passionate educator, with extensive experience in both solo and chamber music. He has won numerous awards, including the CCM Cello Concerto Competition and 1st prize in the George Gershwin International Chamber Competition. He has also performed at major festivals such as Heifetz and Green Mountain. Nicholas is currently pursuing a Graduate Degree at New England Conservatory under Lluis Claret. He looks forward to sharing his expertise and love of music with students in grades 4–6.

Contact: [email protected] | www.nicholas-tsang.com

UC - Saxophone | Clarinet | Trumpet

Paolo Danay – Brass- and  Woodwind Instructor (Grades 4–6)

Paulo received his degree in Saxophone Performance from Berklee College of Music, where his teachers included such famous musicians as Bill Pierce, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, and Charles Banaccos. Paulo toured extensively worldwide in London with Ronnie Scott´s Jazz group, in Paris at the famous Caveau de la Huchet, and toured Brazil with singers Gwen Leathers and Karin Parker. Paulo performed all over the United States, toured France and Switzerland with his own quartet, and has made appearances on TV and radio shows in Brazil. Furthermore, he has recorded several albums, one of them in cooperation with Jerry Bergonzi. Paulo also works as an instructor for Berklee College of Music City Music Outreach Program.