OUR TEACHERS
Playing an essential role in helping children develop their musical knowledge and skills, aiding in their creative growth, self–esteem, and sense of self.
THE DIRECTOR
Dr. David Reimer, Music Director
Dr. David Reimer has been the director of the Dorothy Gerber Strings Program since 2017, having moved to Charlevoix from Grand Rapids, where he was Professor of Violin and the director of the strings program at Calvin College. David has studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts, the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Ohio State University. His doctorate was earned in violin performance and he has also studied music education with Robert Gillespie at Ohio State and Suzuki pedagogy at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
In addition to his position at Calvin College, he also taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory Program, the University of Connecticut Community Music School, and the College of DuPage. As a performer, David has performed with many orchestras, including the Virginia Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, and the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed as a soloist with the Baroque on Beaver Island Orchestra, the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and the Mansfield Symphony. In 2017, Dr. Reimer established The Cummings Quartet to be the professional ensemble representing the Dorothy Gerber Strings Program. The Quartet has performed in Charlevoix, Boyne City, Pellston, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Petoskey, Elk Rapids and on Beaver Island.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Trisha Berquist
Assistant Director, Classroom Teacher, Lesson & Suzuki Instructor
Peter Tolias
Elk Rapids
Classroom Instructor
Elizabeth Bert
Private Lesson Instructor
Iuliia Fetysenko
Classroom Teacher,
Lesson & Suzuki Instructor
Beth Deininger
Boyne Falls & East Jordan Classroom Instructor
Becky Palmiter
Classroom Teacher
Kevin Richardson
Private Lesson Instructor
& Classroom Teacher
Byron Farrar
Private Lesson Instructor
Maggie Stewart
Private Lesson Instructor
Karen Jervey
Assistant Classroom Teacher