Sydney Johnson
Violin and Viola Faculty
Sydney is a Chicago-based music teacher and performer of 10 years. She completed her undergraduate degree from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in 2018, where she studied with Chicago Symphony Orchestra violist Larry Neuman, and recently completed her graduate degree from DePaul University under the tutelage of Ann Marie Brink in June of 2024.
Before moving to Chicago for school, she grew up in Texas, where she picked up the viola in sixth grade orchestra. She immediately developed an identity around being a musician and knew she would pursue it professionally. She began attending and performing in music festivals across the country as a junior in high school. She has performed as an orchestral and chamber musician at Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Music Mountain, Credo, Wintergreen Summer Music Festival, and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival.
She has performed in ensembles as a violist and violinist in the city of Chicago, and has been very fortunate to be able to balance performing with a career in teaching. Ten years ago, as an undergraduate student, she began working with private lesson students, and eventually became involved in programs around Chicago to teach violin and music classes in Chicago Public Schools. In 2022, she completed Suzuki teacher training in Unit 1 at the Southern Ontario Suzuki Institute, and completed Units 2 and 3 in 2023 at the American Suzuki Institute.
She is a firm believer in the Suzuki saying “Every Child Can,” which proclaims that musical talent is not an innate trait, but a learned skill which all human beings are capable of developing. This perspective has greatly influenced her teaching and how she builds community with, motivates, and encourages students and their families. She believes that all students have endless musical potential which she strives to unlock through a well-rounded curriculum in a supportive learning environment.
Contact Ms. Sydney at sydney@southsidesuzuki.com