Mr. Tony Maroun Moussa

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Tony Moussa is a registered Suzuki teacher and is the founder and co-director of the American-Lebanese Suzuki Talent Education Program (ALSTEP). Founded in 2017 with co-director Carrie Beisler, ALSTEP is the first Suzuki violin program developed in Lebanon-Middle East. Committed to excellence at a young age, ALSTEP offers violin instruction and musical experiences to students starting as young as 3 years old. Providing a well-rounded education, this program takes students through a journey of music making from a sound pedagogical beginning to the highest advanced levels of playing. Tony also currently teaches at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music and the pre-college program of Antonin University as Suzuki branches of the ALSTEP Program.

Inspired by a workshop given in Lebanon by the pedagogue Winifred Crock, Tony realized the tremendous need for Lebanese teachers to expand their knowledge of pedagogical education. Tony traveled to the United States to study, first through the organization American Voices to study at an ESL program at St. Louis University and later as a student of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Tony received his Master of Music degree in violin performance with an emphasis in Suzuki Pedagogy from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, after also completing a Bachelor in Music Degree Cum Laude in violin performance from the same institution. During his MM degree he was a graduate assistant in the Suzuki program where he taught Suzuki students, led group classes and conducted student orchestras. Tony’s violin studies were under the instruction of Dr. Lenora Anop, Suzuki pedagogy and training was with Vera McCoy-Sulentic, and performance coaching and collaboration with pianist Vera Parkin.

Prior to studying in the United States Tony began his violin instruction at the age of 13 at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music. Tony received his Bachelor Diploma from this conservatory and immediately joined the violin faculty at the same institution. He taught at this conservatory for four years. For ten years during his studies and teaching, he performed as a full time section violinist with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra. Tony has participated in many international workshops including, Orient Meets Occident in Bayreuth, Germany as part of the Wagner Festival, Art conquers Borders in Bremen, Germany, as well as participation in American Voices – Yes Academy in Lebanon and other countries in the Middle East.  Tony has performed in recitals and masterclasses in the United States as well as his home country and he was the winner of the Ernst Karandjeff award and SIUE Solo Competition. Other musical instructors who contributed in Tony’s education include, Marc Thayer, Dr. Michael Mishra, and Camil Mucca.

Tony’s curiosity for learning has kept him continuing his pedagogical journey through other classes, workshops and training. He took Suzuki Book 1 for a second time at Colorado Suzuki Institute with Charles Krigbaum and has participated in teacher workshops with Mark Bjork, Nancy Lokken, Carey Beth Hockett and his mentor Winifred Crock.

“My life and experiences as a student growing up in Lebanon helped define who I am and what I want to give back to the music community. Through my studies in the USA, many wonderful teachers and mentors have helped me become equipped with strategies and tools to provide a solid musical education to students in my home country of Lebanon. ”  

“Where love is deep much can be accomplished” – Dr. Suzuki