About Us
STAHR began to twinkle in the private studio of Norfolk-based Suzuki violin teacher,
Mrs. Anne Bugg. After attending an East Carolina University Suzuki Institute, Bugg and
seven sets of parents returned to Norfolk with dreams of hosting a local workshop.
Their teamwork was successful. In the late 1980's the Suzuki Violin Workshop
in Norfolk became a reality. In 1995, after years of managing on their own,
Mrs. Bugg called upon other Tidewater Suzuki violin teachers to assist with
the workshop. From this collaboration, STAHR was born.
In 1996, Norfolk-based Suzuki violin teacher, Mrs. Christina Morton, began to publish a newsletter which circulated to all Suzuki method teachers. Membership was encouraged and later extended to include Suzuki families. The annual violin workshop was expanded to include cello and moved to Newport News, a more central location for the growing Hampton Roads community.
In 2003, thanks to the efforts of current president, Mrs. Morton, STAHR was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization. Now, nearly 20 years from its inception, STAHR shines brightly throughout the region. Students can be seen on main stages, in lobbies of major performance halls, playing for area arts festivals, charitable organizations, and nursing homes.
In 2004, 2008 and 2012 STAHR has taken students at the book 4 level and
above on tour to Europe with their parents. They have toured Italy ('04,'12)
and Scotland/England.
Stay tuned to hear more about future international tours. Tour ensembles are open to all STAHR members who qualify and tour groups generally meet once a month during the year of the tour in preparation.