Shirley Koch
Violin, Fiddling, Allegro
Shirley Jamison Koch holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree, summa cum laude, from Houston Baptist University, with a double major in Violin Performance and All-Level Music Education, as well as certification in Early Childhood Special Education, Language/Learning Disabilities, and Kindergarten. In addition to completing Suzuki Association of the Americas coursework in Books 1-10 and post-book advanced literature teacher enrichment courses, as well as coursework in Suzuki Early Childhood Education, she also studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan. From 1979-2004, Mrs. Koch taught Suzuki violin and viola at Parker Music Academy, a Houston Independent School District Music Magnet School, recognized nationally as one of the top public school Suzuki programs in the U.S. In 1986, Shirley served as Director of the U.S. Olympic Festival Fiddlers for the U.S. Olympic Festival Opening Ceremonies. She studied with Mark O’Connor at his fiddling camp, as well as with Texas Shorty, Liz Carroll, Buddy Spicher, Matt Gleason, and Crystal Plohman. She directed a young fiddling group, the Gulf Coast Fiddlers, who performed widely in the Houston area. Additionally, she was the fiddler for Permanent Wave, a Houston-based contradance band, and she has chaired several fiddle competitions, including the U.S. National Scottish Fiddling Competition. Mrs. Koch also served as assistant concertmaster for the Houston Civic Symphony and performed as a free-lance violinist in the Houston metro area. Mrs. Koch relocated to Ottawa in August 2004, along with her husband Russell- currently working at the American Eagle Outfitters Distribution Center and for COF—several cats, and a rabbit. An Ottawa University adjunct faculty member, she also plays in the Ottawa University Orchestra, is a member of the Heart of America Suzuki Association, and is president of the Skilton (Music) Club. In addition to teaching private lessons, Shirley teaches fiddling classes and directs Suzuki Early Childhood programs for children from birth to age 5. She also serves as Assistant to the Director for SOUND ENCOUNTERS and Ottawa Suzuki Institute events.