meet your instructor

Professionally Trained Educator

Lisa Miles grew up in a Suzuki environment, taught by well known instructors in the Pacific Northwest and at Suzuki Institutes by the founding teachers of Suzuki in the Americas. In 1986, she received teacher training from Lesa Longay and began teaching violin, going to Oregon State for music education. She followed this with Montessori training, and studying music performance at Boise State University Music School. Lisa continued S.A.A. Teacher Training with Yuko Honda, one of Suzuki sensei's original students and member of the tour group that spread Suzuki around the world.

Experience: studio, home, schools

35 years of teaching experience, starting at age 16.

After founding Selkirk Suzuki Strings and passing it on to one of her alumni, she created a flourishing music program based in Juneau, Alaska for 16+ years.

HeartStrings has had cello, violin and viola students, ages 4-18, playing both Suzuki literature, fiddle tunes and Alaska Folk Festival performances, traditional classical solos and learning theory. Many of her students have gone on to become professional musicians or have chosen the path of being a Suzuki Violin Teacher.

Over the years she ran a Montessori school and wove Suzuki music into the program, taught at JCCS public arts charter school, as well as homeschool for 13 years.

In person, groups & zoom

A decade of online educating

The need for distance education in Alaska meant learning how to offer online lessons nearly a decade ago. One of her online students from Hoonah received a large college music scholarship upon graduating high school, which proved quality talent education could still work with online resources. This experience has come in very handy in today's world knowing how to make online instruction work.

She continues to teach online string students in Girdwood, Juneau, and Anchorage, and for students who have moved to far away places.

Studio to Stage

Over the years she's taught a combination of face to face one on one lessons and weekly combined groups. The group class experiences have included music theory, music history, improvisation and composition, and preparing for festivals like the Alaska Folk Festival.

She's also led small string group workshops for symphonies.

Nurtured by love

Service concerts and creating scholarship programs like the Crescendo Fund were always a part of the HeartStrings mission and approach. The children who were a part of giving their gift of music have continued to make a positive difference in the world. This is what she is most proud of among "her kids."

Lisa believes in teaching the whole child, and that love for children extends to their family, friends pets and all the things in the child’s world. Her love for humanity inspires a continued life-long dedication to personal growth, child development, education, music, service and community building, and Suzuki’s philosophies that have positively impacted so many

ShredMaiden

In the Girdwood community, Lisa co-founded and established ShredMaiden,

a non-profit to inspire shreducation and empowerment for girls, ladies, and women to get outside

and discover their strengths while doing big things.

With 10 years certified by American Association of Snowboard Instructors

with Adaptive cert, FreeStyle 1, and Children's accreditation.

As a guide and outdoor educator she's continued her education to include a

Permaculture Design Certificate

Wilderness First Aid and is continuing certification in snow sciences and avalanche safety.

Having dedicated her life to teaching children, she has committed her life to protecting the environment and world they will live in.

ShredMaiden

Cello

Fiddle

The River Livers!

River Livers Website