Welcome Michael Hill to the LAM Faculty!!

Michael Hill teaches all levels of viola and violin students while maintaining an active performance career. He has taught applied and secondary viola lessons, chamber music and viola literature classes at the University of Louisville School of Music in addition to pre-collegiate instruction. He has served as Director of the Suzuki Studies Program, the Louisville Suzuki Summer String Institute, and the Community Music Program.

Upholding Dr. Suzuki's belief that Every Child Can, Mr. Hill seeks to find a way for every student of every age to find joy in making music and in their personal efforts and goals. Lessons and coaching are fun and interactive, challenging students to think critically and apply their knowledge in solving problems and developing new skills. With attention to ear training and technique from the very beginning, Mr. Hill's students hold principal positions in school orchestras, performing arts schools, youth orchestras, and all- county/state orchestras. Several have continued to BM and MM degrees in music, beginning their own music careers.

Mr. Hill holds degrees in Viola Performance (BM, MM) and Viola Pedagogy (MM) from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio and the University of Louisville. He has completed long-term teacher training for Suzuki violin Books 1-10 under Dr. Timothy Durbin and viola (Books 4-7) with William Preucil, Sr. Karen Tuttle’s Coordination and methods for viola performance and teaching have also shaped his education and teaching methods through workshops and masterclasses. He has performed as an orchestral and chamber musician at the Aspen Musical Festival and School and as principal violist with the Opera and Music Festival of Lucca, Italy.  He regularly performs as Baroque violist with Bourbon Baroque and has performed in young artist programs with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and the Berwick Academy at the Oregon Bach Festival. He is currently a member of the viola section of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra and principal violist for the Lexington Chamber Orchestra and has served as principal viola for the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, in addition to other regional orchestra and chamber music performances.

In performing and teaching Mr. Hill seeks to share music with others through education and efforts making classical music more accessible to the public. His experience includes work with new beginners through college students and he is eager to contribute to the music community at the Louisville Academy of Music and throughout Louisville.