Clara Hardie teaches private lessons & group classes with DYV. She is passionate about promoting DYV nationally as a social justice Suzuki studio model. Clara co-founded the organization in 2010 with her teacher trainer and Suzuki Royal Oak Director Mark Mutter to make violin accessible to youth at Capuchin Soup Kitchen where she worked at the time. She grew up in Marquette, playing Suzuki violin from age 5 and traveling to Europe with the Blue Lake International Youth Symphony at age 16. Clara is trained to teach Suzuki Violin Books 1-6. She attended University of Michigan to earn a BA in Social Science Theory, education she applies daily in her work teaching and directing.
DIANA CHRISTENSEN Communications Manager
Diana Christensen is a thoughtful, generous, innovative ideas person with 15+ years of experience in marketing and public relations. She says working for a grassroots, social justice-based organization like DYV is her dream job. Diana is excited about the meaning of the Suzuki method, and in helping DYV further our values and mission of making it accessible and equitable for families in Detroit and beyond. Diana holds a BA in Journalism from WSU. Her written work includes this article about activist Grace Lee Boggs in HOUR Magazine.
ASHLEY NELSON Violin & Viola Teacher
Ashley Nelson teaches private lessons & group classes with DYV. She grew up in Detroit and is deeply connected with many strings programs and performing artists in the city. Ashley is a wonderful, warm teacher and the daughter of musicians. Ashley is trained to teach Suzuki Violin Books 1-2. She graduated from Wayne State University with a BA in Violin Performance. Ashley has 10 years of experience teaching in Detroit through Community Music School, Crescendo Detroit and Sphinx. Here is Ashley on youtube.
LACEY SLAY Adminstration & Program Manager
Lacey Slay is an energetic, smart person with extensive experience in youth education program coordination/management & grant writing with Racquet Up, The Achievement Network, and Focus: HOPE. In addition to grant-writing, Lacey works with students, parents & community partners to support the smooth functioning of weekly Suzuki lessons and classes, our three annual shows, community performances, and our Special Project workshop series facilitated by local musicians. Lacey holds a Literature and Composition MA from WSU & an English BA from Spelman College.
SCOTT MURPHY Violin Teacher
Scott Murphy teaches our advanced group class, guiding them in composition, music theory and how to become artists. He grew up in his mother's Suzuki studio in Colorado. Scott studied intensively for three years with Grammy-winning violinist Eric Levine. Scott was once written up in the Gothamist as the best street performer in New York City while living in Brooklyn! His current night job is Tangent Gallery's sound engineer. Scott is also a frequent local performer with various bands and solo projects, and a maker of electronic music. Check out Scott's youtube channel.
