Johanna Beaver

Johanna began teaching private violin and viola lessons 30 years ago, and has been a proud member of the CDS faculty since 2007. She has served on the faculties of the University of Virginia, University of Mary Washington, Mary Baldwin College, Interlochen Arts Camp, Ann Arbor Summer Arts Camp, Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, and Stony Brook Pre-college. In addition to being a certified Suzuki teacher, Johanna uses pop, blue grass, and other genres in her curriculum, helping students find their unique voice on the instrument. She has been invited to present her teaching method at the 2026 International Viola Congress in Paris, and the American Viola Society’s conference at James Madison University. As a performer, Johanna is a member of the viola section of the Richmond Symphony, the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, and the Afton String Quartet. Johanna holds a Master of Music in violin performance from North Carolina School of the Arts, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in viola performance from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.