The Director: Paul Manulik

Director Paul Manulik enjoys a diverse career as orchestral player, chamber musician, teacher and recitalist. He teaches both violin and viola using the Suzuki Method of Talent Education Suzuki Method of Talent Education At the beginning stages, the Suzuki method trains the young student's listening skills before they are taught how to read music. It is a similar method that children learn to speak their native language before reading is introduced.
 
The Suzuki Method trains the ear before the eye. Students are taught basic listening and playing skills before note reading is introduced, in the same way children learn to speak and understand language before reading is introduced. . One of his principal teachers of this method was Doris Preucil, who is internationally recognized for establishing one of the first US Suzuki schools, and from John Kendall, another highly respected founder of the Suzuki Method in the United States.

Mr. Manulik also conducts master classes for high school orchestras and serves as guest clinician at summer festivals. He also performs locally with the La Boheme Opera orchestra and various chamber groups.

Mr. Manulik has studied with Evalina Chao, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra associate principal violist, and with Jerry Horner and William Preucil. He holds a masters degree in viola performance from the University of Iowa. He has taken additional teacher training from Mimi Zweig, professor of violin and viola at Indiana University and Director of the Indiana String Academy.