KATHRYN DRAKE
Kathryn Drake (they/them) is a Director and a full time Suzuki violin teacher at Ithaca Suzuki Music Education (formerly Ithaca Talent Education). Drake’s work is focused on the use of violin mastery as a landscape for inner work from a very young age.
Drake began violin in the Suzuki Method at the age of four with Deanna Badgett, and later studied with Tim Washecka and Kristi Manno. They attended The University of Texas at Austin where they studied Violin Performance under the instruction of Sandy Yamamoto and the Miro Quartet while also completing dozens of hours of elective pedagogy courses with Dr. Laurie Scott and Dr. Robert Duke. While in Austin, Drake taught at Monarch Suzuki Academy and The University of Texas String Project, maintaining a studio of over 20 while also a full-time student.
They graduated with a Masters of Music in Suzuki Pedagogy and Violin Performance from Ithaca College. While undertaking long-term Suzuki training with Carrie Reuning-Hummel at Ithaca College, Drake lived in residence at the Ithaca Zen Center.
Their interests include mindfulness, unhindered self expression, equity in the music studio, the interplay of learning and culture, transparent leadership, and media as a teaching tool.
In 2024 Drake was honored with the Distinguished Young Teacher Award and Certificate of Achievement from the Suzuki Association of the Americas.