Kathy McHugh knew at an early age that she wanted to teach music and was very fortunate to attend Ithaca College and be in the right place at the right time. She had never heard of the Suzuki Method, but when she saw Dr. Suzuki and heard his tour group perform she was hooked and immediately started her training with Sanford Reuning.
After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree, Kathy continued her studies with Mr. Reuning in his first long-term training program and began teaching for Ithaca Talent Education (ITE), now Ithaca Suzuki Music Education (ISME). She has had additional teacher training with Teri Einfeldt, Linda Fiore, Mark Bjork, and John Kendall, and has participated in teachers’ workshops with Dr. Suzuki.
Kathy has had many wonderful opportunities and experiences in her teaching career including: establishing her own studio in Morristown, NJ, founding a training orchestra, teaching strings in private and public school programs, performing in chamber ensembles and orchestras, teaching as a guest clinician at numerous workshops, festivals, and the Ithaca College Suzuki Institute, and teaching for many years at ITE and ISME.
Currently Kathy is a faculty member at the Ithaca Suzuki Music Education school (ISME). She teaches violin, viola, two repertory classes, and directs one of the orchestras. Kathy is delighted to be back at the Ithaca College Suzuki Institute this summer.