Instrument/Department: Violin, Suzuki Violin, Viola
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2022 -2023
Natalie Coots, co-director of the Ithaca Suzuki Institute, began her Suzuki violin studies at age 7 in Manlius, NY. Natalie attended Ithaca College where she pursued a double bachelor’s degree of music education and violin performance. She then continued on to obtain her master’s degree in Suzuki pedagogy from Ithaca College.
Before moving to Rochester with her family, Natalie had the opportunity to teach at the Greenwich Suzuki Academy (Greenwich, CT), the Hartt School Community Division (Hartford, CT), and Ithaca Talent Education (Ithaca, NY). She additionally built and maintained her own studios in Ithaca, Cortland, and Syracuse, NY.
Natalie has taught in workshops in Hartford (CT), Fort Lauderdale (FL), Wilmington (DE), Syracuse (NY), and Mexico City (Mexico) as well as Auckland and Wellington (New Zealand).
Natalie is a regular substitute violinist with Symphoria! (Syracuse, NY) and will be performing in the pit with the Syracuse University drama department in 2022-23. Natalie hopes to share the incomparable community, mentorship, friendship, and musicianship that she received from her Suzuki upbringing with her students and families at Hochstein.
More About Natalie Coots
Hometown: Manlius, NY
What inspires me: Bringing music and the Suzuki method to my children and students! Knowing that the method develops the whole child and teaches so much more than just the instrument itself.
Why the arts matter: So many reasons! A few: visual and aural beauty, emotional and physical expression, human connection, deep learning.
Favorite things to do in Rochester area: Going to the public market, the food truck rodeo, the Strong Museum, eating at the amazing restaurants in and around the city!
When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: Out on a run or with my kiddos!
My favorite local restaurant: Bernard's Grove or The Gate House
Favorite places to travel: New Zealand, Martha's Vineyard, Mexico
Favorite TV show: “Frasier”
What people would be surprised to know about me: I own a big horse named Ben