ABOUT

Holly Smardo has enjoyed many years of successful Suzuki violin teaching, not only in Arkansas, but also in Kansas City, Washington D.C., and Illinois. Many of her students have successful careers as performers across the country.

A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Ms. Smardo later earned a master’s degree in Suzuki pedagogy and performance from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.  Her principal teachers include Tiberius Klausner, Kent Perry, and John Kendall. She has served as concertmaster of the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and continues to perform throughout the NWA community.

The Suzuki Association of the Americas has acknowledged Holly’s commitment to teaching by presenting her with the Certificate of Achievement, as well as the prestigious Teacher Trainer certification. These awards are presented to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning and excellence in teaching. She has received extensive training with many master teachers including Carol Smith, John Kendall, Alice Joy Lewis, Ronda Cole, Mark Mutter, Stevie Sandven, Kathy Wood, James Mauer, Cathy Lee, Joan Rooney, and Carol Tarr.

Holly is an advocate for creating greater access to quality music program for all children. In addition to a private teaching studio, she also served as the Director of Orchestras at Washington Junior High School in the Bentonville School District. Her 8th-grade orchestra won the honorable Sweepstakes Award at the Worlds of Fun Music Festival placing first out of 80+ bands and orchestras. In addition, she was recognized with the “Extra Mile Award” given monthly to an employee in the Bentonville School District.

Currently, Holly lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas with her husband Buzz. They have built a beautiful teaching space to serve students and families who value music education and understand the power of music to shape the life of a child.

Their grown children, Carissa and Craig are life-long musicians and students of the Suzuki Method whose paths have led them to pursue professions in healthcare. Carissa is a dentist at River Dental in Fayetteville and Craig is a medical urology resident in Jackson, Mississippi.