Nina Westbrook

Suzuki Violin & Cello Educator

Maureen Howell

Suzuki Violin Educator

Hayley Nelson

Violin, Viola, Cello Educator

Ann Bur

Suzuki Violin, Viola Educator

James Zabawa-Martinez

​Violin Educator

Nina Westbrook has a BA degree in Music Education from Mansfield University of Mansfield, PA. She has done advanced work at Eastman School of Music, the University of Iowa and the University of South Dakota. Nina is a freelance cellist in the Twin Cities.
Nina received Suzuki Violin Training at the Stevens Point, WI Suzuki Institute, Suzuki Violin Training with Mark Bjork at MacPhail and with Bette Johnson in Minneapolis. She received Suzuki Cello training from Tanya Carey in Chicago, IL. Nina teaches Suzuki Cello books one through nine, and Violin books one through four through advanced levels.

Maureen Howell began studying violin at age 8. She received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Minnesota, while studying under renowned pedagogue Sally O’Reilly, and a Master of Music degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, studying with the Dallas Symphony’s Associate Concertmaster Jan Mark Sloman. Her musical career has taken her to concert halls throughout the US, Europe and China. Mrs. Howell has performed in symphony orchestras such as the South Dakota Symphony, the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, East Texas Symphony Orchestra, the Abilene Philharmonic, the South Arkansas Symphony, the Mankato Symphony and the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra. She also has a passion for other styles such as jazz, big band, musicals, and popular music, and has performed as a background musician with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Amy Grant and Michael Bolton. As a teacher, Mrs. Howell aims to guide her students to become the best violinists they can be, in a nurturing and fun environment. She works to develop confidence and a love of music in her students that will last a lifetime

Hayley is a full time freelance cellist and string teacher. She has been teaching cello, violin, viola, guitar and ensembles at Cyprus since 2012. Her students range from age 4 through adult, beginner through advanced. As a teacher, Hayley is welcoming, engaging and caring of her students. Whether a student dreams of being a career musician, wants to join their school orchestra, or just would like to explore the many enriching benefits of playing an instrument, Hayley enjoys helping every student along their own unique musical journey. She believes it is important to establish a strong technical foundation from the very first lesson. She teaches a combination of Suzuki and traditional methods, incorporating scale studies, sight-reading development, etudes, popular music, and any other materials which might benefit the student’s path. She earned her Master of Music degree in cello performance from the University of Minnesota, where she studied with Tanya Remenikova. She has served as principal cellist of the Lirica Chamber Ensemble, associate principal cellist of the Kenwood Symphony, and performed as multi-instrumentalist with a variety of folk and rock groups. Hayley is currently a member of the Twin Cities Symphony and founder/cellist of the Alcott String Quartet.

Ann Bur is a graduate of Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music, and has been teaching for over 20 years. Two years were spent teaching in the Maywood, IL orchestra program. In the remaining years, Ann has used the Suzuki method in various community education music programs throughout the Twin Cities. Ann acts as principal violist of the Kenwood Symphony, The Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company and MNKINO orchestras. Sight Reading and performing chamber music is one of her favorite hobbies. Ann really enjoys sharing her performance insights with her students. She takes each student's temperament and needs into account, and encourages her students to analyze their own practice and performance skills.

James Zabawa-Martinez was born in Austin, Texas and had a strong desire to play the violin since early childhood. He began his studies at the age of 11 in his middle school orchestra. When James was 14, he met violinist Jennifer Bourianoff from the Austin Symphony and began to study with her. Shortly after, he moved to Faribault, Minn. to attend Shattuck-St. Mary’s Pre-Conservatory Program, where he studied with Sally O'Reilly

James has performed throughout Europe and North America as a soloist and chamber musician, and has participated in national-level competitions such as the Sphinx Competition, Saint Paul Chamber Competition, Music Teachers National Association, and more. He received his master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin with professor Brian Lewis, and is currently pursuing his doctoral degree at the University of Minnesota under Sally O'Reilly.  He is energetic, positive and fun, and has obvious passion for music and teaching all ages.

​Andrea Wallick began her passion for music as a very young child in Kindermusik classes. She continued studying music and learned to play multiple instruments.  She has been an award winner in several major solo music competitions, and her chamber music trio won first place in the junior division of the SPCO Youth Chamber Music Competition, and the Mantova International Music competition in 2018, which earned them a trip to Italy to play in the Mantova Music Festival.   She currently plays guitar, violin, piano, and cello, and was accepted into the U of M music school for PSEO, studying under Tanya Remenikova.

Andrea has had many requests to play for weddings and to accompany high school choirs.  She has been teaching and tutoring students in math and music for several years.  She loves math, music, London, and Sherlock!  

Andrea Wallick

Cello & Violin Educator