Arts Academy Grows Its String Program

Amelia Arts Academy has appointed three new faculty members in order to focus on growing their string programs for children and adults.

Amelia Island, FL – Amelia Arts Academy has appointed three new faculty members in order to focus on growing their string programs for children and adults. “We are excited for the new opportunities to continue to develop our string instrument program,” says Pegge Ealum, Amelia Arts Academy Executive Director. “Our new faculty members will be essential in maintaining our high quality expectations and building our programs.”

Judith Steinmeyer was appointed as head of the Amelia Arts Academy violin department. Steinmeyer began her career in 1981 as a violinist in the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. Since leaving the Air Force in 1985, she has performed with many of the world’s most famous artists from Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra to Faith Hill and Fleetwood Mac. She appeared as the featured artist with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and was personnel manager and violinist with the Washington Chamber Symphony at the Kennedy Center. “The Arts Academy has always provided the community with quality instructors and Mrs. Steinmeyer is exceptional. We are very fortunate to have a violin teacher of such caliber and a very impressive resume. I feel confidant that my son will continue to grow in his musical education,” says Georgene Thrift, who’s son, Dalton has taken violin lessons and participated in the Academy’s String Ensembles for three years.

Joining Steinmeyer in the string department is Abigail Poirier. Poirier will facilitate the Academy’s Junior String Ensemble for children ages 4 to 12. Poirier began teaching violin at 14 years old and has served as the music specialist at Amelia Island Montessori since 2006. “We are pleased to have Abigail’s excitement and vision as an addition to our staff. She will be instrumental in growing one of our most beloved programs,” says Ealum.

Amelia Arts Academy also offers Academy Strings, a string ensemble for adult amateur, beginner, and professional violin, viola, and cello players. Yearly, between 15 and 25 adults participate in the program- playing with ensembles, taking master classes and performing for the community. Violist Peter Dutilly has been appointed as the Academy Strings Conductor. “The program’s founder, Patrick Smith, was a beloved conductor and poured his heart into the program,” says Ealum. “Peter exemplifies the dedication to the program and to excellence in music education that is needed to continue to build upon all of the hard work that Patrick put in to the Academy Strings.” Long time member of Academy Strings, Kate Wiest, says “Peter has shown us new dimensions in our music and has motivated us to higher levels of performance. His youthfulness and energy have added new vigor to our string group. I look forward to rehearsals because we have such fun.”

Everyone in the community is invited to join Amelia Arts Academy’s string ensembles. Academy Strings meets every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. and Academy Junior Strings meets Fridays at 4:00 in the Peck Community Center. Tuition is nominal and assistance is offered based on income.