Weini Tekeste

Weini Tekeste is a Suzuki violin and viola teacher in New York City who has taught students of all ages for the past twenty years. In her studio, Weini accompanies her students on the piano during lessons and recitals, and is a strong believer in introducing note-reading as early as possible. She grew up listening to and playing different styles of music from around the world and encourages her students to do the same. She strives for each student to leave the lesson motivated and in a better mood than the one they started with.

Weini has been a Suzuki participant since she was five years old, when she started playing the violin as part of the Amarillo College Suzuki program in West Texas. One of her earliest memories was watching Dr. Suzuki and his touring violin students perform in her hometown. During her senior year of high school, Weini was given the opportunity to assist in teaching a Pre-Twinkle class of young violinists under the age of six. As her interest in violin pedagogy grew, she continued teaching violin beginners of all ages throughout her undergraduate and graduate career. Weini received a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from the University of Oklahoma and a Master’s in Suzuki pedagogy and violin performance from the University of Minnesota.

After graduating, Weini acted as secretary of the Suzuki Association of Minnesota for two years, and taught at St. Joseph’s School of Music, MacPhail Center for Music, and The Saint Paul Conservatory. After moving to Brooklyn in 2012, she taught with the Brooklyn Youth Music Project and Brooklyn School of Inquiry (K686). She is currently teaching out of her home studio in Brooklyn, offering both in-person and online lessons.