About NATE
Each of our faculty have received music degrees as well as Suzuki Method training. We strive to adhere to Dr. Shinichi Suzuki's philosophy of talent education as well as nurturing each student individually.
About our Teachers
Tricia Anderson
Alpharetta native Tricia Anderson started playing the violin as a 4th grader in the Fulton County, GA public school system. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Music from the University of Georgia and a Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, both in violin performance. After graduating from Cincinnati, she discovered the Suzuki teaching method and began receiving her teacher training during summer institutes. She has received training at the Atlanta, GA, Stevens Point, WI, and Salt Lake City, UT Suzuki institutes. Her Suzuki teacher trainers have included Kimberly Meier-Sims, Ed Kreitman, Teri Einfeldt, Pat D’Ercole, Lorraine Fink, Kathy Wood, Nancy Lokken, and Alice Joy-Lewis among others. Her students regularly win placement in the Georgia All-State Orchestra, placement in several area youth orchestras, and institute scholarships from the Suzuki Association of Georgia. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Anderson enjoys freelancing in the Atlanta area. She is a member of the Columbus, GA and the Johns Creek, GA Symphonies. Along with her husband, Tim, Mrs. Anderson co-directs the Georgia ASTA Summer Orchestra Camp. She is also on the staff of the Atlanta Suzuki Institute and enjoys teaching at Encore! Orchestra Camp every summer.
Alpharetta native Tricia Anderson started playing the violin as a 4th grader in the Fulton County, GA public school system. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Music from the University of Georgia and a Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, both in violin performance. After graduating from Cincinnati, she discovered the Suzuki teaching method and began receiving her teacher training during summer institutes. She has received training at the Atlanta, GA, Stevens Point, WI, and Salt Lake City, UT Suzuki institutes. Her Suzuki teacher trainers have included Kimberly Meier-Sims, Ed Kreitman, Teri Einfeldt, Pat D’Ercole, Lorraine Fink, Kathy Wood, Nancy Lokken, and Alice Joy-Lewis among others. Her students regularly win placement in the Georgia All-State Orchestra, placement in several area youth orchestras, and institute scholarships from the Suzuki Association of Georgia. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Anderson enjoys freelancing in the Atlanta area. She is a member of the Columbus, GA and the Johns Creek, GA Symphonies. Along with her husband, Tim, Mrs. Anderson co-directs the Georgia ASTA Summer Orchestra Camp. She is also on the staff of the Atlanta Suzuki Institute and enjoys teaching at Encore! Orchestra Camp every summer.
Rachel Bachmeier
Rachel Bachmeier received a bachelor’s degree in violin performance and a master of music education from the University of Georgia. With over ten years of Suzuki teaching experience, Rachel is a registered Suzuki teacher and a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Rachel has served on the board of and is a member of the Suzuki Association of Georgia. She is currently Director of Finance for the Atlanta Suzuki Institute. As well as teaching Suzuki violin, Rachel is a trained Musik Garten teacher which is an early childhood music program for babies through pre-school age children. Rachel enjoys performing with the Concord String Quartet and freelancing around the Atlanta area.
Rachel Bachmeier received a bachelor’s degree in violin performance and a master of music education from the University of Georgia. With over ten years of Suzuki teaching experience, Rachel is a registered Suzuki teacher and a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Rachel has served on the board of and is a member of the Suzuki Association of Georgia. She is currently Director of Finance for the Atlanta Suzuki Institute. As well as teaching Suzuki violin, Rachel is a trained Musik Garten teacher which is an early childhood music program for babies through pre-school age children. Rachel enjoys performing with the Concord String Quartet and freelancing around the Atlanta area.
Tracy Shealy
Violist Tracy Shealy has been teaching Suzuki Method lessons since 1997. She is a founding teacher for North Atlanta Talent Education. She received a Bachelor of Music in viola performance from the University of Georgia, and short term Suzuki training with Teri Einfeldt, Edward Kreitman, Nancy Jackson, and Elizabeth Stuen-Walker. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, American String Teachers Association, the Georgia Music Educators Association, and the Suzuki Association of Georgia. Tracy was a director of the Atlanta Suzuki Institute from 2003-2010 and enjoys performing with the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. An Alpharetta native, she began her musical training in 4th grade in the Fulton County Schools Orchestra Program at Kimball Bridge Elementary. She lives in Roswell with her husband, three children, and dog.
Violist Tracy Shealy has been teaching Suzuki Method lessons since 1997. She is a founding teacher for North Atlanta Talent Education. She received a Bachelor of Music in viola performance from the University of Georgia, and short term Suzuki training with Teri Einfeldt, Edward Kreitman, Nancy Jackson, and Elizabeth Stuen-Walker. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, American String Teachers Association, the Georgia Music Educators Association, and the Suzuki Association of Georgia. Tracy was a director of the Atlanta Suzuki Institute from 2003-2010 and enjoys performing with the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. An Alpharetta native, she began her musical training in 4th grade in the Fulton County Schools Orchestra Program at Kimball Bridge Elementary. She lives in Roswell with her husband, three children, and dog.
Amanda Graham
Amanda Graham began playing the piano at the age of two. She began formal training at age five. Amanda’s gift on the piano is a natural part of her personality. She has been teaching piano and voice since the age of 14, as well as accompanying in church and school events. Amanda has her A.A. in piano,voice and music education from Emmanuel College, her Bachelor in Arts degree from the University of Georgia as well as her Masters in Music Education. She has trained in the Suzuki method for the past 12 years. Amanda’s gifts have taken her into almost every venue one can imagine. She has toured with Mac Frampton’s Henry Mancini orchestra, she has led worship in many churches, trained the musical drama department at Parkview High School, and performed for many private events. She has served in churches as pianist, organist, children’s music director, and worship leader for the past 32 years.
Amanda Graham began playing the piano at the age of two. She began formal training at age five. Amanda’s gift on the piano is a natural part of her personality. She has been teaching piano and voice since the age of 14, as well as accompanying in church and school events. Amanda has her A.A. in piano,voice and music education from Emmanuel College, her Bachelor in Arts degree from the University of Georgia as well as her Masters in Music Education. She has trained in the Suzuki method for the past 12 years. Amanda’s gifts have taken her into almost every venue one can imagine. She has toured with Mac Frampton’s Henry Mancini orchestra, she has led worship in many churches, trained the musical drama department at Parkview High School, and performed for many private events. She has served in churches as pianist, organist, children’s music director, and worship leader for the past 32 years.
Katie Truex
Katie Truex began playing cello when she was seven years old. Originally from Georgetown, Indiana, she currently resides in Tucker, Georgia, working as a performer and teacher in the greater Atlanta area. She has a passion for teaching secure fundamentals in cello technique to students of all ages, striving to instill the joy that comes with the ability to play well. She is a registered Suzuki cello teacher and member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, as well as an active member of the American String Teachers Association and the American Federation of Musicians. Katie graduated from the University of Louisville in 2009, where she studied with Paul York. Additional teachers include Debbie Caruso and Natasha Farney. Suzuki coursework and certification were completed with Melissa Kraut and Carey Chaney. She performs with symphonies in Georgia and throughout the Southeast, including the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. She has held the assistant principal position for the Albany Symphony Orchestra since 2014, and is currently the acting principal. Katie believes that learning to use the cello as an extension of the self is a continuous and joyous process. This personal harmony is an element Katie strives to instill in her students and her audiences.
Katie Truex began playing cello when she was seven years old. Originally from Georgetown, Indiana, she currently resides in Tucker, Georgia, working as a performer and teacher in the greater Atlanta area. She has a passion for teaching secure fundamentals in cello technique to students of all ages, striving to instill the joy that comes with the ability to play well. She is a registered Suzuki cello teacher and member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, as well as an active member of the American String Teachers Association and the American Federation of Musicians. Katie graduated from the University of Louisville in 2009, where she studied with Paul York. Additional teachers include Debbie Caruso and Natasha Farney. Suzuki coursework and certification were completed with Melissa Kraut and Carey Chaney. She performs with symphonies in Georgia and throughout the Southeast, including the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. She has held the assistant principal position for the Albany Symphony Orchestra since 2014, and is currently the acting principal. Katie believes that learning to use the cello as an extension of the self is a continuous and joyous process. This personal harmony is an element Katie strives to instill in her students and her audiences.