Susan Abell
Susan is a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Raised by her mother and grandparents, Susan and her sister were exposed to music from a young age. They both spent several years in the local KinderMusik program, church music programs, followed by piano lessons and their school band program. Susan and her sister both began studying string instruments late in life. Susan chose the cello at the age of 13. From there, she continued piano, clarinet and cello lessons through high school. Through those years she performed in the KY Third District Bands, WKU Honors Band, Campbellsville University Honors Band, KBC All-State Orchestras and Choirs and KMEA All-State Concert Band. She also competed in the KY MTA Keyboard Festivals, Sonatina Tournaments and Hymn Festivals.
During high school, Susan decided that she wanted to pursue a career in music as a teacher. From there she studied Music Education at Western Kentucky University. At WKU, Susan became involved with the Omicron Omicron chapter of Delta Omicron, the Warren County Strings Program (started by Dr. Bill Scott,) Music Department Student Board, The Symphony at WKU, ASTA and KCMENC (now NAfME.) In 2009, Susan spent the summer in Sidney, Maine as a counselor at the New England Music Camp. Her last semester of her undergraduate degree was spent student teaching with Lisa Hussung at Rich Pond Elementary School and with Patrick O'Rourke in the Bowling Green Independent Schools. In May 2010, Susan graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from WKU. She continued to reside in Bowling Green, Kentucky to continue her education as the Orchestra Graduate Assistant and worked on her Masters degree. As a graduate assistant Susan assisted Dr. Bill Scott while organizing the founding of the WKU Student ASTA chapter, assisted with the WKU Pre-College Strings Program and taught in the Warren County Public School Strings Program. In May of 2012, Susan graduated Summa Cum Laude with a MAE in Music Education.
Shortly afterward, Susan moved to Franklin, Tennessee with their German Shorthair Pointer, London. Susan started a private studio teaching cello, violin and piano lessons in the greater Nashville area. Williamson County Schools opened a position for Fall 2015 to start two orchestra programs. During this time, Susan started both Brentwood Middle School and Grassland Middle School orchestra programs. In the Fall of 2016 Susan remained at Grassland Middle School where she focused her efforts on building the Grassland String Orchestra program. Susan has remained at Grassland Middle School and has built the program to 98 students in 5 years. While teaching in Williamson County Schools, Susan has helped to establish the Williamson County Orchestra Director Association in 2016. She has served as both the President-Elect (2016) and President (2017.) In 2018, Susan was elected to be an Orchestra Representative for the Middle Tennessee School Orchestra and Band Association.
Susan has studied cello with Sarah Berry and Alice Lloyd, piano with Evelyn Terry and Sylvia Kersenbuam, viola with Andrew Braddock and clarinet with Laura Rupers and Dr. John Cipolla. Her music education mentors include Dr. Bill Scott and Dr. Robyn Swanson.