Teacher Profile: Susan Alexander Payne

Susan Alexander Payne

Susan Alexander Payne

Instrument(s): Cello, Piano, Ukulele, Viola, Violin

City: Seattle

Education: BAE Music Education, Eastern Washington University Waldorf Music workshops

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    About Susan Alexander Payne

    Susan Alexander, Violin, Viola, Cello teacher was one of those kids who could not sit still and learned quickly. She began violin in school in the 4th grade and played through 7th grade, when the cello looked appealing. The following year, her teacher thought she might like to try the bass, and she alternated between cello and bass and violin for a couple of years, while also singing in the choir. Each year in school she would play whatever instrument they needed most. In college Susan got serious about string bass, and also played in community orchestras, opera, musicals, and ballet pits for the next ten years, then took up the cello as a major instrument when returning to finish her BAE in Music at Eastern Washington University.

    Susan taught in public schools for a few years before staying home to raise her three daughters. While being a stay at home mother, Susan ran a Kindermusik program in her home and taught violin, viola, cello, bass, and piano. She has most recently taught strings at a Waldorf school and most recently played as a member of the Ensign Symphony Orchestra performing in concert at Benaroya Hall with the Ensign Choir. In music lessons, she encourages whole body movement, as well as singing and theory and believes it should be fun and teach the whole child. She asks her students to use their voice as well as their body to learn their instrument, as this greatly helps the ear to train, and will encourage families to seek out good music featuring the child's instrument of choice.

    Susan is mother to three grown daughters and grandmother to three precious grandchildren. She also enjoys volunteer work in the community, outdoor activities including kayaking, biking, swimming, snorkeling, and gardening, and she likes to create things from upcycled materials. She has long thought it would be most fascinating to be a mouse in the corner of a Luthiers shop and learn the skill of violin making.

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