Sayer Palmer
Violin/viola
Sayer Palmer, violin/viola, is a former Suzuki kid, an experienced Suzuki teacher, and an enthusiastic Suzuki parent. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Ithaca College where she studied viola performance with Debra Moree and string pedagogy with Sanford Reuning. Her master’s degree in viola performance and Suzuki pedagogy is from the University of Oregon where she was awarded a Graduate Teaching Fellowship. She studied viola with Dr. Leslie Straka and has registered long-term Suzuki training in violin books 1-6 completed with Judy Bossuat-Gallic, Karin Hallberg, and Dr. Louise Scott. She believes that quality music education for all creates a community full of joy, peace, happiness, connection, and beauty.
Sayer has taught in many community music schools from Ithaca to Oregon to New York City. She has performed in several chamber groups and orchestras including principal violist of the Eugene Contemporary Chamber Ensemble and a season with Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. Beyond teaching and performing, Sayer worked as the circulation administrator in the music library at the Juilliard School of Music, managed farms in the Upper Valley, and owned her own certified-organic vegetable farm in Grafton, NH. She enjoys growing food and going on outdoor adventures with her family that include hiking, biking, rock climbing, and all kinds of skiing.