Mr. Timothy P. Barrett

Tim Barrett is a violinist with a unique teaching enthusiasm that brings smiles to the students and families who study with him. Since moving to Johnson City, TN in 1991 with his wife Kim Barrett, whom he met and married in Japan, he has been the Executive and Artistic Director for a thriving Suzuki program known as the Academy of Strings (AOS). Today AOS has an annual enrollment of over 100 violin students age three to eighteen. The program’s growth and development have enjoyed a very successful and consecutive 28-year history under the artistic leadership of Tim and Kim which has impacted thousands of students. 

Tim Barrett attended Oklahoma City University Wanda L. Bass School of Music and Performing Arts where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in violin performance and studied with Mr. Lacy McLarry.  Tim also holds a Teaching Certificate from the Talent Education Research Institute following two and a half years of daily instruction with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in Matsumoto, Japan.

As a well sought-after clinician, he has taught at various string festivals and workshops. He has received multiple Outstanding Teacher Awards from the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.  As a result of Dr. Suzuki’s personal influence, Tim is an avid proponent of the Suzuki Method and a lover of lifelong learning. He has pursued his passion for the enrichment and continued learning through many events and institutes approved by the SAA as well as the Starling-De-Lay Symposium on Violin Studies at the Juilliard School.

Tim lives in Johnson City with his wife and teaching partner Kim Barrett. They have two adult children, Harrison who works in the supply chain industry and Kristen who is finishing a master of music degree in violin performance from the Boston Conservatory of Music at Berklee.