Violin & Viola Faculty
Jennifer Redondas
|
Originally from Cuba, Jennifer Redondas is a diverse and versatile musician who has performed as a soloist in the U.S, Netherlands, Italy, Austria, France and Cuba, at prestigious venues including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Her passion for Cuban music and jazz has led her to perform at SF Jazz with renowned artists such as Chris Potter, Anat Cohen and Chucho Valdés. Ms. Redondas was a fellow with the Classical Tahoe Orchestra during the 2023 season.
An active member of the “Adventures in Music” program at the San Francisco Symphony, Ms. Redondas has performed at more than ninety schools around the Bay Area. Her passion and dedication have given her extensive experience teaching violin, viola and piano. Since 2012 she has worked with children and adults from various backgrounds and musical levels, including children with autism and behavioral disorders. She has also served as a coach for the California Youth Symphony and the Greater Miami Youth Symphony. Jennifer Redondas began her violin and piano studies at the age of 8 at the Conservatorio de Música Alejandro García Caturla in Cuba. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree at New World School of the Arts in Miami, USA, and a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she was the recipient of the Sunlin and Priscilla Chou Graduate Scholarship. When not engaged in musical activities, Ms. Redondas enjoys painting, crafting, reading and photographing dazzling places around the city. She also loves watching a good movie or show while enjoying her favorite Cuban coffee. |
Renata Norcia
|
As a native of Berkeley, Renata took violin and viola lessons from Edmund Weingart and chamber music with Anne Crowden. She loved all-day chamber music on Saturdays and Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra on Sundays and taught piano from home. It was highly inspirational, motivating, and exciting to be surrounded by such passionate musicians in the Bay Area that like many of them she wound up also going to NY.
After studying with Rafael Bronstein (a student of Leopold Auer) at Manhattan School of Music receiving a Bachelor's degree, she freelanced while studying and later played on Broadway with jobs/tours in Fl, VA, and CT and did some substitute teaching as well. Renata then moved to Amsterdam and from there toured the world for 3 years with Heidelberger and Köln chamber orchestras. Later freelanced in orchestras all over Holland. She then moved to Stockholm and played in almost all the Swedish orchestras, while living there also freelanced in Norway then moved to Oslo. In Norway, Renata continued freelancing but mainly began teaching violin, viola and piano again at Vestby and Hobøl Cultural schools for 21 years and has finally moved back to the Bay Area. Renata loves motivating her students of all ages, watching them grow both musically and as individuals, bringing out their creativity and expression. She believes that they can apply the same discipline learned playing combined with their passion to other aspects of their lives as well. |
Barbara Schaefer
|
Barbara began Suzuki violin lessons at the age of five at her local elementary school and decided soon after that music would be her life’s passion. A native Texan, Barbara holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University and a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
As a professional orchestral musician, she performs actively with many Bay Area ensembles and is a member of the Fresno Philharmonic and the Santa Rosa Symphony. Barbara began her pedagogy studies with Mimi Zweig and Brenda Brenner at the Indiana University String Academy. While at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, she also studied the Paul Rolland method, the Orff Approach, and Alexander technique. Barbara received her registered Suzuki training from David Strom and Ann Montzka Smelser. Barbara fosters a collaborative approach, where the student is involved in the learning process and is able to become self aware and independent in their practicing and performing. Her teaching philosophy is to develop a solid technical foundation through a well-balanced body, with fluid movements to create ease of playing without tension. An avid baker, she enjoys sharing her scones, cakes, and other creations with friends and family. |