SPRING REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
About Us
Dr. Melissa Lesniak, President
Wendy Gunther, Director of Educational Programming
Wendy Gunther, Director of Educational Programming
Highlights
- PhD Music Education- Frost School of Music University of Miami
- Bachelors of Violin Performance, business minor- Indiana University Bloomington
- Lecturer- Frost School of Music
- Director of Foundation Relations- Adrienne Arsht Center
For more information- visit here
Wendy Gunther, Director of Educational Programming
Wendy Gunther, Director of Educational Programming
Wendy Gunther, Director of Educational Programming
Highlights
- Currently pursuing a PhD in Music Education
- Master of Music Education - Frost School of Music University of Miami
- National Board Certified/Master Teaching Certificate in Early/Middle Childhood vocal music
- Over 25 years teaching experience in public schools, private lessons, and church settings
Board Members
Melissa Lesniak
Wendy Gunther
Ruth Wiesen, Artistic Director Armour Dance Theatre
Rhonda Smith, Executive Director Fit Kids of America
Tinder Burris, Retired MDCPS Music Teacher, Cello Instructor
Lakeisha Frith, Director of Education Arsht Center
Vivian Gonzalez, Orchestra Director Miami Arts Studio
Carissa Sweet, Digital Associate University of Miami
Bernarda Reyes, Senior Manager Audience Development at Sony Music Latin
Early childhood music instructor
Suzanne Suris, Preschool & Elementary Music Teacher at Westminster Christian School
Mrs. Suzanne Suris has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Florida International University and a Florida Professional Teacher’s Certificate in Elementary Education. She has taught ages birth through grade 8, both in the general education classroom as well as in dedicated music classrooms for 28 years. She has directed numerous children’s and youth choirs and bands, and has also presented at conferences for organizations such as the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Suzanne served as the Southeast Regional Representative for the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association for 3 years, and has her certification in the Musikgarten curriculum, utilized in a variety of music education settings.
Suzanne currently is the Preschool and Elementary Music Teacher at Westminster Christian School. She has been a member of the Fine Arts Department faculty at Westminster for 12 years, and is also the Director of Worship at Redland Church of the Nazarene.
Suzanne believes that exposure to music and musical activities is critical to every child’s intellectual, physical, and social development. As the mother of a special needs child, she has seen first-hand the effect of music in the lives of challenged children and adults.
String Consultants
Besnik Hashani, Orchestra Director Gulliver Middle
Vivian Ventura, Orchestra Director Southwood Middle