Leif Petersen

Violin, Suzuki Department Head

Violinist and teacher, Leif Petersen has been involved with the Suzuki method since the age of 4 when he began taking lessons with Janet Fuller at the Suzuki Institute of Seattle. Now a dedicated teacher of the Suzuki method, Leif teaches private and group lessons at the St. Paul Conservatory of Music. Leif studied Suzuki Pedagogy, covering books 1-10, at the University of Minnesota with renowned teacher Mark Bjork in addition to studying violin performance with Sally O’Reilly. At the University of South Carolina Leif studied with Dr. William Terwilliger and was the winner of the University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. Earning his Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the University of Montana, Leif studied with Dr. Margaret Baldridge and was the winner of the University of Montana Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. As a member of the Blue Mountain Piano Trio, Leif traveled to Toronto as a finalist in the MTNA National Chamber Music Competition. Leif has also performed in master classes for internationally renowned artists such as Midori, Monica Huggett, and William Preucil.