Catherine Stewart, violinist, has been brightening the lives of area children as a Suzuki violin teacher since 1981. Mrs. Stewart maintains a large private teaching studio in Olney, Maryland.

She has been a faculty member of Columbia Union College, St. Mary's College and the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program, and was adjunct faculty at Olney Adventist Preparatory School 2005-2008. Mrs. Stewart was selected as one of five winners of the 2007 national Prodigy Instruments Mentoring Award.

In 1998 the Maryland/DC chapter of the American String Teachers Association awarded Mrs. Stewart "Outstanding Teacher of the Year".

Mrs. Stewart was Education Director of the National Philharmonic (formerly National Chamber Orchestra) Middle School Institute in 2001 and Education Director of the National Philharmonic High School Institute in 2002. Mrs. Stewart is active in many professional organizations, chairing the MSMTA Strings Plus Festival for many years. Starting in May 2008 she is President Elect for the MD/DC chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

She is active in many professional organizations, chairing the MSMTA Strings Plus Festival for many years. Starting in May 2008 she is President Elect for the MD/DC chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

Mrs. Stewart's prize winning students have won auditions for Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, Potomac Valley Youth Orchestras, St. Cecilia Orchestras and Maryland All County and All State Orchestras.

Her students continuing in music have attended; Interlochen Music Academy, Eastman School of Music, Catholic University (Music School), San Francisco Conservatory, Indiana University (Music School) and Moscow Conservatory.

Mrs. Stewart has been a violinist with the National Philharmonic since 1999. In addition to the National Philharmonic, Ms. Stewart has been a member of The Nashville Symphony, the Naples Philharmonic, and the Virginia Beach Pops. Her freelance work has included performances with Ella Fitzgerald, Mannheim Steamroller, Yanni, Ray Charles, Benny Carter and Bob Hope, as well as entertaining Presidents Clinton and Bush, Sr. & Jr.

A student of Robert Gerle, Joel Berman, Paul Kling, Carlton Herrett and David Cerone, she holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance from University of Maryland. She is a member of MSMTA, MCMTA, WMTA, ASTA, SAA, and the D.C. Musician's Union.

She lives in Olney with her photographer husband, Michael, and son, Spencer.

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