Bio

Alice Irene Buchanan is a multi-instrument musician, music instructor, and Suzuki Violin teacher based in Brooklyn, New York. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, music has long been a part of Alice’s life. Her father is a retired band director; her mother is a Suzuki Piano instructor. Alice’s own musical practice began with the violin at age 5. By her teens, Alice was touring the world with rock bands and the Memphis Youth Symphony. Alice's passion for music led her to earn her Bachelors of Music in Education & Violin at Middle Tennessee State University, as well as Suzuki Violin and Orff Music Instructor certifications. Alice has more than a decade of experience teaching violin, piano, and guitar to students of all ages.

Outside of teaching, you'll find Alice playing in rock and roll bands, performing chamber music, practicing yoga, playing with her cat Freddy, cooking for friends & family, and reading voraciously.

About Ms. Buchanan’s Pedagogy

Alice holds a Bachelors of Music in Education and Violin from Middle Tennessee State University. Her varied experience ranges from teaching Orchestra in public schools to running Summer Music Camps. She focuses on teaching classical technique, combined with an emphasis on musicality, theory, and teaching a varied repertoire. She completed a two-year Suzuki Violin teacher training at School for Strings in Manhattan under Allen Lieb, and is a registered Suzuki Violin Instructor for Pre-Twinkle to Book 8.

Alice is especially passionate about teaching toward student self-direction, supporting students in their own agency as musicians, and educating students about artists typically left out of the Western canon. Her philosophy aligns with the Suzuki Philosophy of learning; that Every Child Can. With disciplined practice, all children and adults can play music at a high level. If expectations are high, yet encouraged with patience and positivity, the results will be beautiful music!