Mary Straub Mary Straub has a Performance Diploma from the Interlochen Arts Academy and a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University. Her teachers include Beth Miller Harrod, Harry Farbman, Tadus Wronski, Carlton Herrett, John Kendall, William Starr, and Kalman Banyak. She founded the Suzuki Talent Education Program at the Nevada School of the Arts in 1981 where she is currently a violin instructor both of the Suzuki method and the traditional method. Mary is also an active “free-lance” professional violinist in Las Vegas having played with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Nevada Chamber Symphony, as well as all the major hotel showroom orchestras in Las Vegas. Mary was on the music faculty of the Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts from 1994 – 1999 and was the co-founder with Evan Christ of the Las Vegas Music Festival from 1993-96. Mary Straub is continually invited to coach at music festivals and adjudicate music competitions throughout the country. Having produced numerous violin students who have been local and national competition winners as well as university and conservatory graduates, Mary is proud to say that many of her students have gone on to become successful music teachers, professional violinists, and most of all wonderful “human beings”! Mary Straub presented with Shakeh Ghoukasian at the 2003 Chicago Midwest Clinic, the 2005 National ASTA Conference, and the 2006 Suzuki Association of the Americas Conference.The Nevada School of the Arts National Touring Violin Ensemble, conducted by both Mary and Shakeh were invited to perform as well at each of these national conferences. Mary was the recipient of the 2004 Nevada ASTA Studio Teacher of the Year Award and the 2005 Nevada Music Teachers Association “Outstanding Service Award”.