About me

Having been teaching violin, viola, and strings for over 15 years, I believe anyone can learn how to play an instrument and that it can bring many positives to our lives, both in personal and social aspects.

I was born and raised in Sao Paulo, the largest urban center in Brazil, where I built most of my education and professional background, having worked there for over 10 years as a professional musician and music teacher. I am a Bachelor of Music with a major in Viola from Sao Paulo University, the most prominent educational institution in Brazil, and a Graduate Certificate in Music Education from Faculdade Cantareira. As a string teacher, I have worked in two of the biggest social programs in Brazil (SESC and Guri Project), whose goal is to bring musical education and culture to underprivileged Brazilians. At Guri Project, I have taught children and teenagers ranging from 6 to 18 years of age, and at SESC mostly with a teenager

My Suzuki experience began when I was searching for a method that resonated with my beliefs, and my past training include institutes, workshops, masterclass, and practicum with experienced teacher trainers from Suzuki American Association – SAA, such as Marilyn O’Boyle, Nancy Lokken, Shinobu Saito, Eduardo Ludueña, Amy Matherly, Martha Shackford, Caroline Fraser, Ann Montzka-Sm

You can find my SAA profile at https://suzukiassociation.org/people/andre-pretzel/. My latest training as a Suzuki teacher was Books 5 and 6, and I’m looking forward to continuing my journey to help my students as best as possible.

I moved to Halifax/NS in 2016 to teach Suzuki violin at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, where it offered a wide range of activities and possibilities for collaboration between teachers and students. Teaching from early ages to adults I’m always amazed by the human capability of learning!

As a musician, I have played in many groups and orchestras of different genres in Brazil, ranging from classical to rock. As a member of the Juiz de Fora Baroque Orchestra, I performed several recordings using antique instruments.

In Halifax, I’m performing regularly with Chebucto Symphony Orchestra, Great Harbour Ensemble, Nova Sinfonia Orchestra, Rejouissance Early Music Ensemble, and with different ensemble formations from the Halifax Institute Of Traditional and Early Music (HITEM) where I’m taking advanced baroque violin training and working as an instructor with beginner groups.

My goal as a music teacher is to allow students to uncover their true talents. Anyone can play on a beautiful tone, tuning, and musicality, experiencing the joy of learning music!

Let us learn and play