Ms. Sylvan is joining Hillside Academy this upcoming school year, bringing with her over 30 years of experience as a music educator and professional cellist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cello Performance from the Hartt School of Music (University of Hartford) and is a registered member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, having completed training in all ten Suzuki books through an intensive two-year program.

In addition to being a freelance musician in Connecticut for more than two decades, Ms.Sylvan co-founded Suzuki Strings of Redmond, where she continues to teach cello. Her teaching philosophy centers around meeting each student where they are and honoring their unique learning journey. She believes that every child has innate musical potential and finds joy in guiding young musicians to discover their abilities.

Ms. Sylvan looks forward to helping students build confidence and community through the shared joy of music.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Sylvan is a dedicated mother to her 7-year-old daughter. She began playing the cello at age five, taught by her mother, a cellist herself. One of her most memorable adventures was visiting the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal in Guatemala. Her favorite motto, which shapes her teaching and her life, is “Every Child Can.”