Nicolette Solomon

Nicolette Solomon is the Director of the Monticello Talent Education School of Music. She was the Executive Director and President of the Suzuki Music Institute of Dallas for 20 years and has taught violin, viola, chamber music and conducted string orchestras for over 40 years.

Ms. Solomon was born in Laingsburg, South Africa to musician parents. She began her violin studies with Neil McKay, followed by Pierre de Groote at the College of Music in Cape Town and her University studies under the tutelage of Alan Solomon. In 1975 she played at the International Festival of Youth Orchestras in Scotland and has twice toured Europe as well as and performed in Israel, Taiwan and Hong Kong with Harmonia Juventia. She studied Chamber Music from 1974 – 1981 with Betty Pack and Alan Solomon. She has also been an Adjudicator/Examiner for music competitions and examinations in South Africa and the USA. Ms. Solomon founded and directed the Solomon Suzuki School in Johannesburg, South Africa, which was the first Suzuki Music School in Africa.

Nicolette Solomon obtained a Bachelor of Music (Honors) and Higher Education Diploma (Post Graduate) at University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her violin pedagogy training continued with Christophe Bossuat at the Ecole Suzuki in Lyon, France. Nicolette studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Research Institute in Matsumoto, Japan in 1992. During that time, she taught at a private studio in Nagano City, Japan and at Shinshu University.

In 1994, Ms. Solomon attended the International Strings workshop in France, playing in the Eduard Melckus Baroque Ensemble. She has taught at workshops and Institutes in South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and throughout the USA and Central America. Her studio in Dripping Springs comprises of violinists and violists ranging from 4 year old beginners to College level students. She is married to Carl van Wyk, has 2 adult children and two grandchildren, Leonardo and Julia. She loves gardening, architecture, hiking, film, reading, art, food and wines.