Kristin Schmidt began studying the violin at the age of five after being inspired by the violinist, Itzhak Perlman's, performance on the PBS television show, "Sesame Street."  She has studied music in Italy and Austria, and has performed for the professional violinist and recording artist, Rachel Barton Pine.  She has had the honor of studying under DeLores Brown, Lowell Koons, Marcia Henry Liebenow, and Michael Hining.  Kristin graduated with honors from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in Music Education and had the opportunity to serve as the Associate Concertmaster of the IWU Civic Orchestra. She has professional Suzuki Method teacher training under Edward Kreitman.

 

​Mrs. Schmidt has been a private teacher of both the Suzuki and Traditional methods for the past 20 years and is very active in solo and orchestral performances throughout the community, including being a violinist in the Heartland Festival Orchestra and the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra.  She is the founder and director of the inner city orchestra programs at the South Side Mission (SSMYO) and the South Side Christian Academy in Peoria, IL as well as Chamber Orchestra 309---a versatile chamber orchestra designed for both community and professional musicians.  Mrs. Schmidt  is a frequent guest clinician with area school orchestra programs and programs such as the Central Illinois Youth Symphony and the Eureka College String Festival. She also enjoys judging various string competitions such as the State Organizational Contests and Solo/Ensemble Competitions and has held board positions for the Central Illinois Youth Symphony and the Heartland Festival Orchestra.  

 

Previously Mrs. Schmidt was the Morton High School Orchestra Director and taught at the Sun Foundation Suzuki School of Music in Peoria.  While at MHS, the orchestra program continued to grow in quality, student enrollment, and community recognition.   Mrs. Schmidt was instrumental in arranging the first performances with the Morton High School orchestra, choir,  band and the Boston String Quartet in 2010 and 2011.  Six of her students from the Morton program were selected to perform at Jordan Hall (New England Conservatory of Music) with Grammy winning artists.  ​In 2012 Mrs. Schmidt was awarded the "Outstanding Teacher Award" by Morton High School.   

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Mrs. Schmidt cares about each student and highly believes that they are capable of accomplishing great things!   Many of her students are selected in concertmaster and lead positions in various orchestras, place high in various competitions and All-State seating and continue their music studies into their college years winning music scholarships to schools such as Milikin University, Belmont University, Olivet Nazarene University, Bethel College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bradley University and the University of Illinois.  While many of her students continue their musical studies beyond their high school years with great success, many others go on to pursue careers outside of music bringing with them an appreciation of arts for the rest of their lives. She strives to provide an inspiring and fun learning environment alongside the teaching of proper string techniques and high expectations.

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When Kristin is not teaching or performing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends,  participating in outdoor activities (hiking, canoeing, etc.), volunteering, and composing.

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To see a complete resume, please feel free to contact the studio.  Thank you for looking into the studio!

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