About Kiersten

The teacher

Kiersten Cunningham offers violin/viola lessons and audition preparation in Garden City, New York. Kiersten has been musically educating students of every age and ability level for the past 25 years. She was an Adjunct Professor of Violin Studies at New York University and maintained private studios in Brooklyn, NY and Ithaca, NY prior to relocating to Garden City.

Kiersten combines several teaching methodologies in her lesson plans and places emphasis on learning to read music from the very beginning. She incorporates music theory, sight reading/singing, composition and rhythmic exercises in lessons and utilizes the Suzuki method books, among a variety of other repertoire.

The performer

Classically trained, Kiersten's studies have included Ithaca College School of Music (B.M. in Music Performance), Mannes College of Music, Meadowmount School of Music and New York University (M.A. in Chamber Music Performance and Composition).

She performs regularly (in her living room these days) and enjoys working with every genre from classical and opera to rock, jazz and new music. Her performance engagements have taken her around the globe with various ensembles at venues including, most notably, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The DiMenna Center, OPERA America, Birdland, the Blue Note, Joe's Pub, the Kennedy Center and the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland. She’s also played at a ton of dive bars all over the NYC area, Philly, and Chicago.

Kiersten also specializes in weddings, events and recordings. She has recorded for television, film, radio and various artist’s albums and has performed with many wonderful ensembles through the years—but the best gig of her life was getting hired to play electric violin with Marigold Opera, the eclectic chamber ensemble where she met her now-husband, Nathan (aka Hubs).

The person

In addition to all-things music, Kiersten loves spending time with her family and is a loving mom to three awesome little humans. She is forever planning their next trip to Walt Disney World, too.

Kiersten is passionate about helping others and has competed in half marathons, triathlons, and one marathon (NYC, the best!) to raise money for organizations including Love146, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The National MS Society.

Kiersten is also a virtual health and fitness coach helping other women to put themselves first. Join her community on Instagram and Facebook (@innerlightfitness) and visit her LinkTr.ee.