Leigh Sypawka studied Suzuki Violin under the teaching of Mrs. Joanne Bath, the Ira and Mary Ruth Hardy Distinguished Professor of Suzuki Pedagogy at East Carolina University from 1968 until 1978 in Greenville, North Carolina. (Joanne was one of the first violin teachers in the U.S. to use the ideas of Shinichi Suzuki of Japan when she began Suzuki violin teaching in 1964. Joanne started one of first Suzuki programs in the state of North Carolina) During her college years, she placed her emphasis on a dance performance degree in Classical Ballet. She was a member of several local and regional dance companies and toured from 1980 - 1997. While performing and touring she taught dance and movement classes to children of all ages. In 1985 - 1992 Leigh worked as a Computer Analyst at East Carolina University School of Medicine. In 1995 she received her Associates degree in Information Technology Systems Technology and began teaching computer classes for Pitt Community College and Craven Community College. With her intentions of continuing to teach, and her love of classical music, she enrolled in The East Carolina University, School of Music's Suzuki Pedagogy Program and received her certification in the Suzuki Violin Books 1–10 and in the Every Child Can Certification as part of the Suzuki Association of Americas. She has been the violin instructor at St. Peter's Catholic School and Preschool since 2003. In 2008, Leigh begin a pilot outreach Suzuki Pre-Twinkle Program at St. James United Methodist Church Preschool in Greenville, NC. It was so successful that in 2009 she was asked to start a similar program at Jarvis United Methodist Church Preschool. She is currently teaching at all three preschools and has a studio in her home.
Leigh is an active member of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Sinfonia strings group and plays with local community groups. In 2007, Leigh created a Twinkle-Movement Class for young children to have an added dimension of their Suzuki Experience. The class was intended for children between the ages of 4 and 6. She has been teaching this class for the North Carolina Suzuki Institute at East Carolina University School of Music since 2008. She also started a Suzuki Violin Program at the Children of Destiny Orphanage in Jinotega, Nicaragua in 2008 during a mission trip with her local church.
Leigh loves teaching young children. Her passion is bringing young children and their parents into the beauty of classical music through Suzuki Violin and movement.
Leigh is an active member of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Sinfonia strings group and plays with local community groups. In 2007, Leigh created a Twinkle-Movement Class for young children to have an added dimension of their Suzuki Experience. The class was intended for children between the ages of 4 and 6. She has been teaching this class for the North Carolina Suzuki Institute at East Carolina University School of Music since 2008. She also started a Suzuki Violin Program at the Children of Destiny Orphanage in Jinotega, Nicaragua in 2008 during a mission trip with her local church.
Leigh loves teaching young children. Her passion is bringing young children and their parents into the beauty of classical music through Suzuki Violin and movement.