Sujoy knows the value of music within a family. Her mother played recorder, handbells, violin and piano. Her father sang and played the cello. Three of her 4 grandparents played piano and organ and sang. Her parents and teachers spent the necessary time developing her practice and performance habits. While still young, Sujoy toured and performed with youth orchestras on both violin and viola, with performances in Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, and Holland. She played viola in GBYSO (Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra), performing in Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, and Sanders Theatre.
Sujoy received her Bachelor’s Degree of Music and Education from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York and her Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. She did extensive graduate work in music therapy at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
Sujoy taught music in public and private schools for almost forty years and she has been teaching her own private music students since the age of 17. Until recently, she spent 10 years of frequent weekends as a volunteer doing music therapy in various orphanages in Sonora, Mexico. Sujoy has been a performing member of adult orchestras in Massachusetts, New York, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arizona. Her adult international experience includes playing violin in Argentina, Japan, Portugal and Spain, and viola in China.
Currently retired, she performs with three different Phoenix-area adult symphonies and is the president of the Board for Women’s Orchestra of Arizona.
I am forever grateful for the musical relationships I have had in my life; too many to list here. Robert Narducci, my junior high and senior high performing arts teacher, was the first to get me on stage and I loved it and have never left the stage. Dr. Kenneth Sarch, my most memorable private music teacher, taught me viola and so much more. He tapped into the confidence hidden inside me and pulled it out, for which I am forever grateful. Dr. Thurston Dox of Hartwick College encouraged me by placing me into performing groups that I believed were above my abilities and proved me wrong each time. The credit for my teaching style goes to my role model Grace Nash, the American Orff expert: teach eclectically, yet stay true to the sources. Most importantly, focus on each student, one at a time, and find their unique interests and abilities. Enormous and sincere thanks to my husband Richard, my constant companion and helpmate, who continues to encourage me every step of the way.