Melissa Murphy-Borr has had the honor and privilege of playing the violin for roughly 24 years. She started with the Suzuki Method at age 4 and played in orchestra and Strolling Strings during her Bismarck Public School years. She continued to play improve, jazz, and rhythm violin in college and beyond. She has played with many live bands, local and worldwide, and has been featured on many recordings, and even an animation. Her fiddle has traveled the world, with her, and has been played on the beaches of Goa, in the slums of Hyderabad, and in every nook and cranny in Amsterdam. Melissa has returned to her roots, and is currently teaching violin with the Suzuki School of Music. More recently, her new love in life is playing roller derby with the BisMan Bombshellz as Fiddlin’ Fury #55.
Emily Robinson grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota and has been playing the violin since she was 12. She studied with the Suzuki Method growing up, and has enjoyed teaching this method since she received her Suzuki Violin Book 1 Training in 2010 in Hartford, CT. She later received her Suzuki Violin Book 2 Training in 2015 in Eugene, OR. This will be her tenth year teaching violin/viola lessons. Recently completing her Stage I Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) training, Emily is excited to begin this new chapter! She has also instructed group lessons at the Suzuki School and serves as the school’s secretary. She has performed in local orchestras such as the BMSO and MVCO. Emily received her Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Mary in 2016; the same year she began directing Strolling Strings. She is married to the love of her life and has a young daughter who enjoys music! Emily believes each student is unique and it is her goal to help each student develop their own sound to share with the world.
Carissa Lewis began studying violin at the age of 8. She played in the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra, performed many solo recitals, played first chair in the Bismarck Symphony Youth Orchestra, completed and went beyond the core Suzuki curriculum, and played in various chamber groups and quartets. Carissa completed her Book One Suzuki Teacher Training in 2012 and her Book Two Suzuki Teacher Training in 2018 at the University of Montana. Carissa received a Christian Ministry degree in 2015 with a focus on music and worship in South Carolina. She now enjoys volunteering on her church worship team. In addition to her day job as a Legal Assistant, Carissa is a dedicated Certified Suzuki Violin Teacher who loves to inspire students of all ages to pursue music in a positive, nurturing environment and reach past their limitations. One of her favorite highlights was playing in the Bismarck and Aberdeen orchestras for the band KANSAS in 2013. Carissa also loves kayaking, hiking, playing guitar and piano, and being outdoors with friends and family.
Jane Schafer was born and raised in Bismarck, ND. Throughout her grade school and high school years, she participated in choirs and band including but not limited to ACDA, All-State, and jazz choir. She graduated in 2005 from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. During her time at Loyola, she continued her love for music by singing in the church choir and taking voice lessons as an elective. Jane is a mother of three boys: Maxwell 7, Melbourne 5 and Sullivan 2. She has used music inside her home with her children and can often be found with her children at local musical events. She is also an avid concert goer. Her oldest son Max began studying Suzuki Violin at age 4. Jane is the president of the Suzuki Board and the Solheim PTO. She continues to incorporate music in her life in many ways including singing in the Messiah Choir and participating in other local music events. Jane believes music is an integral part of a healthy, happy life, and she is looking forward to sharing her love of music with the parents and students of the early childhood music class.