Violin and Viola Lessons Houston, Texas

Ellen Johnston is a Texas born violinist, performer, and music educator with a background in classical performance and chamber music. She began studying piano at the age of six and violin at the age of nine, developing a lifelong passion for music and performance.

Ellen studied violin performance at Loyola University New Orleans on a music scholarship, where she trained with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenburg and Amy Thiaville. She concentrated her studies in chamber music, solo performance, and piano, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance. During her studies she performed with ensembles including the Romero Quartet, the Loyola Strings Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of Music in the Mountains.

As an educator, Ellen has taught students of all ages and believes music plays an important role in a well rounded education. While living in New Orleans, she worked with the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra and maintained a private teaching studio. She now lives in Houston, where she continues to teach and perform.

Violinist Thien-Truc Nguyen is recognized as both a dynamic performer and a passionate teacher. She earned her Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from the University of Houston under the guidance of Kirsten Yon. She also holds a Bachelor of Music and a Certificate in Music Performance from the University of South Florida, as well as a Violin Performance degree from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music.

As a performer, Thien-Truc has appeared internationally in Italy, Korea, Vietnam, and throughout the United States, presenting solo recitals and chamber music concerts. She represented Vietnam as a solo performer at the 14th International Youth Fellowship World Culture Camp in Korea. In 2016, she served as first violinist for the string quartet featured on the recording “Light of the Midnight Sun” by the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. She has also collaborated with composers to record music for film soundtracks produced in both Vietnam and the United States.

An active orchestral musician, Thien-Truc has performed with numerous orchestras including the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera, Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Imperial Symphony Orchestra, South Shore Symphony Orchestra, and Brazosport Symphony Orchestra. While at the University of Houston, she served as concertmaster of the Moores Opera Orchestra and principal second violin of the Moores Symphony Orchestra.

Thien-Truc maintains an active teaching studio working with violin and piano students of all ages and skill levels. Her teaching focuses on developing strong musical foundations while nurturing confidence, concentration, patience, and dedication. Through individualized instruction, she prepares students for recitals, orchestral seating auditions, and competitions, while encouraging expressive and joyful music making.