Talent Passion Commitment
Martin Lopez began his violin
training at the age of three, under the direction of world-renowned violinist
Betty Haag. After three months, he was
granted a scholarship at the Betty Haag’s Suzuki Academy of Performing Arts. At
age five, he made his first concert tour in
At age six, he was invited to
solo with the Chicago Symphony at their Petite Promenade Concert Series.
Columnist Maggie Daley of the Chicago Tribune referred to Martin as a “child
prodigy.” As a member of the performing
group, Mr. Lopez continued to perform
throughout the US and internationally, including concerts at the Vatican and before
a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall.
Later in life, Mr. Lopez was recommended for a violin teaching position with the Chicago Public school’s inner city program where he launched a program for two year old children. He managed six teachers and conducted repertoire classes with 100 students from 20 different schools. Mr. Lopez also taught violin to children at Roosevelt University and at the Betty Haag Academy.
In 2002, Mr. Lopez left the
public school system to form his own school in northern Illinois, expanding his
reach to central Florida seven years later.
The academy now has nearly 50 students ranging in age from 2 to 15.
Mr. Lopez is also proud to be the director of 4 Strings Attached, a
performing group of young violinists. He has led them in performances
throughout the US and Mexico -- including a recent appearance on ABC TV 7 in
Chicago -- and is currently planning a tour to Europe in 2010 and 2011.
Mr. Lopez is passionate about his
music and is committed to sharing the joy of the violin with very young
children. He was recently recognized by
Disney as an outstanding Hispanic teacher at a ceremony in Chicago. Mr.
Lopez’ unique teaching style combines a strict sense of proper technique with a
fun-loving and caring personality.
Children are naturally drawn to him and advance impressively under his
tutelage.