Ithaca University 

B.M. in Violin Performance
Suzuki Pedagody

Emilie Benigno (she/her) is a violinist and teacher in Halifax, Nova Scotia with a passion for bringing music to communities through teaching and performance. She received her B.M. in violin performance and M.M in performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from Ithaca College in 2016 and 2019 and is joining the MCPA with nearly 15 years of experience teaching children and adults of all levels. After moving to Canada in 2019 she has maintained a full studio, teaching nearly 45 students per week while performing chamber music and playing as a member of Nova Sinfonia in her free time. She is a teacher that believes that every student can find joy in their music making and that a curious mindset, from both the student and teacher, can lead to developing a life-long love of music that permeates every corner of their lives. She is a teacher that takes pride in seeing her students grow not only as musicians, but as confident people with a diverse set of problem solving skills developed during their time as a student. 

Emilie has studied with Calvin Wiersma, Kyle Armbrust (viola), Susan Waterbury, Fritz Gearhart, and Sylvia Arahmjian and has performed in masterclasses for Christian Tetzlaff, David Feldman, and Mark Steinberg. She is an avid performer and has worked with numerous ensembles such as Symphony Nova Scotia, the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, the Binghamton Philharmonic, the Candlelight Concert Series, and many more. She performs as a violinist for a new string quartet, Purple Finch in Halifax. She is an avid learner and has continued her education and is currently taking lessons with Renaud Lapierre.