Teachers

Jennifer Diedrich

Jennifer Diedrich is the director of Suzuki Strings of St Petersburg, founded in 2002.  Ms. Diedrich has 25 years of experience in violin performance and instruction.

Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she earned a degree in Human Development while also competing as an intercollegiate tennis player. Growing up in DeKalb, Illinois, Jennifer studied violin and viola with Arthur Montzka as well as the Vemeer Quartet at Northern Illinois University.

Ms. Diedrich joined the Tampa Bay Symphony in 1995 and has served as the director of the Young Artist Competition while also serving on the board.  She has also served as a member of the music committee at the Museum of Fine Arts in St Petersburg. In 2006, Ms. Diedrich joined the education staff at the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute (RuthEckerdHall.com) in teaching early childhood music.  Ms. Diedrich has attended the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, WI as well as the Colorado Institute.  She has trained in Suzuki Pedagogy with Catherine McGlasson, Nancy Lokken, and Ronda Cole.

Ms Diedrich has a never-ending passion to help children (and people) reach their potential while focusing on the development of the whole person.  Lives are enhanced in an environment rich in music.  No one is ever too young or too old to embrace the joy that music brings.

Email Jennifer at jenny@suzukistringsstpete.com

Jayme Finley

Jayme Finley has B.A. degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education from Stetson University (DeLand,FL) and an M.A. in Adult Education from University of SouthFlorida. She has been an Early Childhood teacher, director, and trainer for over 20 years. Although she’s listened to music her entire life, she became an advocate of music education when she first enrolled her infant son in mommy and me music classes. Eight years later, she continues that passion through Suzuki violin lessons with her son. She knows that a love and appreciation of music, and the hearts and minds that grow from music, begins very early and she loves to share that with parents and their children!

Email Jayme at jayme@suzukistringsstpete.com

Pamela Potter

Pamela Potter received her undergraduate and Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Florida.  She was an elementary teacher in Pinellas County schools for ten years before retiring to home school her own children.  She has home-schooled her children since 2006 and has been a Suzuki violin parent since 2007.  Pam played the cello for two years, and has a background in piano.  She loves that Mr. Suzuki encourages parents to find the joy in interacting with their child, not just with music, but in everyday life.

Email Pam at pam@suzukistringsstpete.com