Lorraine Westermark
Lorraine has been teaching Suzuki Violin for 39 years and this being her 34th year in Wilmington. She graduated with a B.A. Music from the College of Charleston with continued teacher training in the Suzuki Method of teaching violin. Her principal Suzuki Teacher Trainers have been William Starr, Louise Wear, Hiroko Driver, Yuko Mori and Katherine Wood. Lorraine also had the wonderful experience of participating in two teacher training sessions with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.
Along with teaching violin at St. Mary School, Lorraine has a private studio with Suzuki Talent Education of Wilmington, and Chair of Education for the Wilmington Symphony Board of Directors. She is a past president of The North Carolina Suzuki Teachers Association, a former member of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. She performs with the Tallis Chamber Orchestra and just recently retired from 29 glorious years with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
She is blessed with three children and five grandchildren. Hans and Heidi Westermark graduated from St. Mary School way back in 1985 and 1986. Today granddaughter Sophia White and Graham Westermark attend St. Mary's School. Her granddaughter in Madison, Wisconsin attends St. Maria Gorretti School and her 3 year old sister to follow in a few years.
As a part of the St. Mary Parish, Mrs. Westermark sings with the Renaissance Choir at the 11:00 Sunday Mass. She also is very interested in Sr.Isaac's work with Social Ministry. In the past she has had four fund raising concerts for Social Ministry with the violin students.
A very special teaching highlight of Mrs. Westermark’s life was teaching a young boy named Mark with Downs Syndrome. He began violin at the age of 9 and at the age of 26 he was playing the Seitz Concerto No. 5. Mrs. Westermark had an article published in the Spring 1997 American Suzuki Journal “Inclusion and the Suzuki Method”, all about her work with Mark. In May 2000, Mrs. Westermark was asked to speak at the Suzuki Association of the Americas 9th Conference titled Roots & Wings –Meeting the Needs of Every Child. Work with Mark was the best learning experience any teacher could ever have. It was really a testament Dr. Suzuki’s Philosophy – Every Child CAN!