Our Faculty
Lamar Blum
Director
A graduate of the University of Montana music school, Lamar has taught both in public schools and in private studios. Her exposure to the Suzuki method in Montana offered new dimensions to the musical community in Elgin. She’s been teaching violin in the Elgin area since 1975, as well as running the Montana Suzuki Strings Institute for 15 years.
Lamar has been given the opportunity to speak at events on studio organization, and teach at weekend and summer institutes. In 1989 and 2016, she was named Music Educator of the Year by the Elgin Area Youth Orchestra, and in 1993 was given the Margaret Hillis Award for the Arts from Elgin YWCA. In 1999, Lamar was recognized by the Musician’s Union for Outstanding Contributions to the Music Education of Young People. In 2001, she retired after 30 years as a violinist from the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
Lamar’s two daughters, Christina and Rebecca, grew up involved in music: Christina as a ballet dancer and singer, and Rebecca as a violinist who now has her own Suzuki violin studio in Pickerington, Ohio.
Richard Evans
Cello Instructor
From Seattle Washington, cellist Richard Evans enjoys a varied career of orchestral playing, chamber music collaboration, and private teaching. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Washington, his Master of Music in Cello performance from Boston University, and completed all Suzuki teacher training at the Chicago Suzuki Institute, the American Suzuki Institute, and Ithaca College Suzuki Institute.
A dedicated pedagogue, Richard holds over 25 years of experience teaching cello, music theory, and chamber music to students from earliest ages to adults. He has been invited as a guest clinician at summer festivals and events including Millikin University Cello Day. He coaches students in the Elgin Youth Symphony, and previously served as a coach with the Rockford, Wisconsin, and Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras. Richard’s private students have achieved varied accolades including winning concerto competitions, consistently placing in ILMEA and All-State orchestras, and receiving full university scholarships in music performance.
Richard plays regularly with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with other ensembles including the Elgin Symphony, Chicago West Chamber Orchestra, Salt Creek Ballet, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra, Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, and Madison Symphony Orchestra. He has performed concertos with the Rock Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Evergreen Philharmonic, and has also given recitals across the region as soloist and chamber musician.
Emily Fischer
Violinist & Educator
Emily Fischer is a passionate violinist and dedicated educator committed to shaping the next generation of musicians. Originally from Elgin, IL, she began playing the violin at the age of three and later studied under the guidance of Lamar Blum. Her early immersion in the Suzuki method laid a strong foundation for her musical development, inspiring her to become a certified Suzuki instructor in units 1–10.
Emily earned her master’s degree in Violin Performance with a specialization in String Pedagogy from the University of Louisville in 2024. During her graduate studies, she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant under the mentorship of Dr. Geoffrey Herd, where she provided private instruction at the university, led String Methods courses, and coached ensembles through the university’s String Academy program. In addition, she worked as a violin instructor at Sanders Elementary School, helping young students develop their foundational skills in violin
An active member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), Emily has led sectionals for the Suzuki Youth Symphony Orchestra at the 2024 SAA/ASTA conference and participated in Suzuki workshops at the University of Louisville from 2022 to 2023. Emily currently teaches in Chicago and also leads the advanced group class at the Suzuki School of Elgin.
In addition to her work in music, Emily holds a degree in Accounting and Business Administration and works independently as a business contractor. When she’s not teaching or performing, she enjoys running outdoors, exploring pedagogical literature, and cooking for her family!