Sao Paulo University
BMus, Viola 

Faculdade Cantareira
Graduate Certificate, Music Education

Andre Pretzel was born and raised in Sao Paulo, the largest urban centre in Brazil, where he built most of his education and professional background, having worked for over 10 years as a professional musician and music teacher. Andre has a Bachelor of Music with a major in Viola from Sao Paulo University, the most prominent educational institution in Brazil, and a Graduate Certificate in Music Education from Faculdade Cantareira.

As a string teacher, he has worked in two of the biggest social programs in Brazil (SESC and Guri Project), projects whose goal is to bring musical education and culture to underprivileged Brazilians. At Guri Project, Andre taught children and teenagers ranging from 6 to 18 years of age. At SESC he worked mostly with teenagers and adults, supporting them in their quest to begin a new phase in their lives where they could find their passion for music.

As a musician, he has played in many groups and orchestras of different genres in Brazil, ranging from classical to rock. As a member of Juiz de Fora Baroque Orchestra, focusing on historically informed performance.

Andre became a certified Suzuki Violin and Viola instructor in 2007 when searching for a teaching method that resonated with personally held beliefs: that anyone can learn with practice and intent, that music is not reserved for special people with special talents. It is for anyone with a love and interest to learn.

Andre’s Suzuki training includes institutes, workshops, masterclass and practicum with experienced teacher trainers from the Suzuki American Association – SAA, such as Marilyn O’Boyle, Nancy Lokken, Shinobu Saito, Eduardo Ludueña, Amy Matherly, Martha Shackford, Caroline Fraser, Ann Montzka-Smelser and Nancy Jackson. With that background, he eventually co-founded the first Suzuki Method school in Sao Paulo.

Andre moved to Halifax, NS in 2015 and teaches Suzuki Violin and Viola (books 1 to 5) to a variety of ages and skill levels.

To learn more about Andre, violin lessons, or about our programming in general don’t hesitate to get in touch!
902. 423. 6995 | admin@maritimeconservatory.com