Meet the Staff
Leading Representatives
Joel Kennedy
President
Viola
Joel Kennedy
President
Viola
Joel Kennedy is president and global strategist for Kennedy Violins, Inc. He has played viola and violin for over thirty years. He attended the Eastman School of Music in New York, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in viola performance and completed graduate studies in education there as well. He has played professionally with orchestras in the Unites States and around the world and has students attending top conservatories in the U.S. and abroad.
Joel Kennedy originally started Kennedy Violins in order to create a platform to provide high-quality instruments for his own string students, who often showed up at lessons with violins that were barely playable. Since then, Joel has traveled the world in search of makers who not only approach violin making with the highest professional standards but also as an art form to be respected. Every instrument maker that Kennedy Violins represents has been hand-selected because they adhere to Joel's specific standards. He currently volunteers with several youth orchestras and continues to lead Kennedy Violins towards an even brighter future!
Karen Tsao
Vice President
Viola
Karen Tsao
Vice President
Viola
Karen Tsao is a sales representative who specializes in premium instrument consultation. She received her bachelor’s degree in viola performance from the Eastman School of Music. She has performed professionally in orchestras all over the world.
Karen has served as the principal violist for the Portland Opera. Her particular expertise is traveling the world to test and select the best instruments for Kennedy Violins. She is fluent in several languages and is a great asset to Kennedy Violins in communicating with luthiers and selecting only the highest quality instruments.
Zach
Shop Manager
Bass
Zach
Shop Manager
Bass
Bass lessons with Zach will help you meet your musical goals. Zach emphasizes clear fundamentals and musical concepts to help you with whatever kind of music you want to play. Whether you want to study classical upright bass, jazz, rock on electric bass, or any musical style, Zach Sears is here to help.
Zach has a bachelors in music performance from Portland State University, and has performed regularly in regional symphonies, chamber concerts, musicals, and has been active in jazz performance. Zach has over 10 years teaching experience in teaching students from beginner through the college level. His students have played in youth orchestras and won performance awards and scholarships.
Luthiers
Shiloh
Head Luthier
Spoons
Shiloh
Head Luthier
Spoons
Shiloh Congleton apprenticed one-on-one for several years under an exceptional luthier and master repairman in a West Coast shop authorized by C.F. Martin & Co. After performing warranty-related work on Martin instruments, Shiloh’s professional training has given him the ability to recognize the subtle differences that make instruments perform both as they should and at their best—the latter for which he strives.
Shiloh loves putting instruments in the hands of those that wish to play them, spreading the power of music as far as possible. He strives to provide anyone with a desire to play instruments with high-end setup that are both affordable and playable.
Beyond his expertise in violin setup, Shiloh enjoys building instruments and spending time with his beautiful wife and daughter.
Jeff
Luthier
Guitar
Jeff
Luthier
Guitar
Jeff has been performing on guitar for over 15 years, concentrating in classical, jazz studies and rock music. Jeff graduated from Frostburg State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business, and moved to the Vancouver/Portland area to pursue a life in music.
He enjoys working as a luthier here at Kennedy Violins, setting up and repairing violins. He also builds guitars outside of work and can be found performing locally in several groups in the Portland Area.
Chris
Luthier
Bass
Chris
Luthier
Bass
Chris has over 25 years experience in woodworking. He enjoys playing bass guitar in his free time.
Kelly
Apprentice Luthier
Bass
Kelly
Apprentice Luthier
Bass
Kelly has been playing music since the age of 5 years old. She is a certified welder, a touring bass guitar player, and has spent years in musical instruments sales. Kelly finds the art of lutherie to be a perfect blend of careful craftsmanship and a passion for music. In her free time she is a hobbyist knife maker and a photographer.
Marketing
Kerry
Creative Director
Voice / Lapsed Piano
Kerry
Creative Director
Voice / Lapsed Piano
Kerry has a wide range of experience in marketing and communications. At Kennedy violins her responsibilities include design for digital, print, and social media; copy writing; and product photography.
Her experience includes running her own design firm for many years, work as marketing manager for a retail/wholesale furniture import company, and contract design work for well-known corporations in the Portland/Vancouver area.
In her spare time she enjoys gardening, painting, family, and pursues ongoing learning opportunities.
Ben
Web Development / SEO
Drums / Guitar
Ben
Web Development / SEO
Drums / Guitar
Ben possesses a wealth of experience in the digital marketing and tech industry, with a strong focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and web development. As the founder of http://Juice.ai, he successfully built a company that supports businesses in bolstering their SEO presence and driving online growth. His leadership skills allowed him to effectively manage a diverse team, providing direction and strategic guidance that resulted in the achievement of key company objectives. Away from the office, Ben plays drums and writes and records his own music.
Alex
Educator Outreach
Violin
Alex
Educator Outreach
Violin
Alex's enthusiasm for music education is put to good use in his role as Kennedy Violins brand ambassador to educators throughout the USA.
Private Lesson Instructors
Amy
Teacher
Violin
Amy
Teacher
Violin
amy@kennedyviolins.com
Amy started playing the violin at eight years old, and after ten years of private lessons, Suzuki camps, private gigs, and performances with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Clark College Orchestra, and Harding University Orchestra, she finally found her musical passion playing in the pit orchestra for The Music Man. Her favorite musical experiences so far have been performing in her university's production of Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan with Vancouver’s own Journey Theater. She loves the theater thrill.
Amy brings that same love of teamwork and camaraderie to her position at Kennedy Violins. She is excited to work with customers to find instruments that help them find their own passion.
Ashley
Teacher
Violin, Viola
Ashley
Teacher
Violin, Viola
Ashley recently graduated from Brigham Young University with her bachelor's degree in viola performance. Her musical journey began at the age of five after listening to a memorable recording of the violin on the radio, instantly falling in love with its depth and beauty of sound. She knew she wanted to learn how to play the instrument, and after two years of persistent pestering, her parents secured her a position with her first private teacher and has played ever since. Ashley has since had the privilege of performing as assistant principal violist of Brigham Young University's Philharmonic Orchestra, principal violist of BYU’s Chamber Orchestra, and violist of BYU’s prestigious honors quartet. Ashley has also had the opportunity to work in masterclass with some of the great violists of our time, including Paul Neubauer, Professor of the Juilliard School, Robert Vernon, Principal Violist of the Cleveland Orchestra, Jutta Puchhammer-Sedillot, Associate Professor of Viola at the Université de Montréal, and Stephen Wyrczynski, Professor of Viola at the Jacobs School of Music. Along with her extensive performing experience, Ashley has served as adjunct professor of viola at her college, working with students of many experience levels. Her work with the college, as well as her performance excellence resulted in her being awarded the prestigious David Dalton Scholarship the last two years of her degree. Ashley studied under Claudine Bigelow and plans to pursue a masters degree in viola performance and pedagogy in the near future. She hopes to instill a lasting love for music in her students, and finds great joy in seeing her students excel and gain an appreciation for their instrument.
Zach
Teacher
Bass
Zach
Teacher
Bass
Bass lessons with Zach will help you meet your musical goals. Zach emphasizes clear fundamentals and musical concepts to help you with whatever kind of music you want to play. Whether you want to study classical upright bass, jazz, rock on electric bass, or any musical style, Zach Sears is here to help.
Zach has a bachelors in music performance from Portland State University, and has performed regularly in regional symphonies, chamber concerts, musicals, and has been active in jazz performance. Zach has over 10 years teaching experience in teaching students from beginner through the college level. His students have played in youth orchestras and won performance awards and scholarships.
Owen
Teacher
Cello, Voice
Owen
Teacher
Cello, Voice
Owen Hofmann-Smith is a performer of many talents. He began his musical training in the fifth grade on the cello. He played in orchestra and sang in choir through his school years. As a youth he played with the Portland youth Philharmonic. During college he picked up the string bass and began studying jazz. It was also at that time that he got his first choir directing position at a local church.
After winning the concerto competition at PSU, Owen was awarded the first prize of performing the full, unabridged concerto with the PSU Symphony. When practicing vigorously for this concert he sustained a severe playing injury that prevented him from continuing to play bass or cello.
Faced with giving up his lifelong goal of a career as a cellist, he then begin to study voice and opera singing as well as completing a master's degree in conducting at Portland State in 2013. Having made a full recovery from that injury a couple of years later, he is back performing on his cello and bass regularly.
After years of gigging as a classical, jazz, and theatrical stage performer, more recently Owen has been developing as a rock and R&B musician on guitar and bass guitar.
Owen has recently performed on bass with The Casimir Effect, Karaoke from Hell, Pete Krebs, The Clambake Combo, Stumptown Swing, Vintage Knights, Torchsong Entertainment, Rio con Brio, Arco PDX, Columbia Symphony, and Opera Theater Oregon. Owen is also very into folk and fiddle music after traveling to Dublin and Cork. Fiddle tunes and Irish folk songs are often featured in his musical sets.
Owen currently holds position as Director of Music Ministry at Bethel UCC, conductor of Liedertafel Harmonie (community choir of the German American Society of Portland), and instructor at Kennedy Violins.
Dyonnis
Teacher
Piano, Voice
Dyonnis
Teacher
Piano, Voice
Dyonnis has taught piano and voice for over 25 years to students of all ages. She studied piano pedagogy at Marylhurst College under Joanna Hodges, founder of the Joanna Hodges Conference and Piano Competition. She studied voice under Dr. David Murray. She has sang in the Portland Opera Chorus and served as Music Director and as a piano accompanist in churches. Dyonnis takes into consideration each student’s unique learning style and interests to achieve a common outcome of proper technique, theory, ear training and sight reading ability. She is passionate about helping a student achieve the lifelong physical, mental, social and emotional benefits that playing an instrument provides.
Rachel
Teacher
Violin, Viola, Fiddle
Rachel
Teacher
Violin, Viola, Fiddle
Rachel is a versatile fiddler, violinist, and violist with a wide range of performance experience. She studied classical violin and Scottish fiddle in her youth, and spent part of each summer immersed in various world fiddling traditions at Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School and Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp. Rachel later pursued additional studies in old-time fiddling with Suzy Thompson and took lessons with fiddler and composer Darol Anger. Rachel currently plays fiddle with Scottish traditional band Dram & Go, and violin with Tilikum Chamber Orchestra. She was previously a longtime member of eclectic folk-fusion group Kendalin, and also performed with groups including Castletown, Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and the American Philharmonic of Sonoma County.
Tyler
Teacher
Violin, Viola
Tyler
Teacher
Violin, Viola
Tyler Goldman is a rising force in the education of young musicians. His private students and string orchestras are recognizable by their passionate playing and exceptionally clean sound. Mr. Goldman’s teaching style is a result of studying under the master string pedagogue, Dr. Dijana Ihas, whose teachings heavily weigh on the physical correctness of playing string instruments, and study of the Comprehensive Musicianship approach. Mr. Goldman evolved as a violin player in Salem, Oregon, his hometown. During his time in Salem he was a member of the Sprague High School Camerata Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra and, with them, won two state championships and traveled to Seattle, London, Paris, and Anaheim. Also, he was involved with musical theatre pit orchestras and became the youngest Concert Master of the Salem Pops Orchestra at the age of sixteen. Mr. Goldman studied music education at Pacific University in Forest Grove. He was also gifted the opportunity to study violin under the internationally recognized performers and teachers Adam LaMotte and Kevin Lefohn. During his time at Pacific, Tyler developed his teaching and playing styles and earned the seat of Concert Master of the Pacific University Symphonic Orchestra. Upon Graduation, in 2017, Tyler received the Signature Student in Music Education Award for his work as a lead orchestra instructor in the Pacific University String Project, which gained national recognition by the American String Teachers Association as the Best String Project of the Year. Currently, Tyler is teaching for a number of organizations around the Portland-metro area. Such organizations include: Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, Vancouver Music Academy, Kennedy Violins, and Guitar Center. Furthermore, Mr. Goldman is enjoying the alternative music scene in Portland including teaching for Hammersmith Rock Institute in Vancouver and being the violinist for a quickly rising punk bluegrass band called The Lost Hellmsman.
Agyei Marshall
Teacher
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele
Agyei Marshall
Teacher
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele
Agyei has been teaching music and playing professionally since 2004. Drawing inspiration from Funk, Jazz, Blues, Metal, Classic/Modern Rock, Hip-Hop, Country, R&B/Motown, Progressive, and Grunge. He’s had the honor of playing with and opening for many great artists such as SlimKid Tre of The Pharcyde, Funkadelic, Lupe Fiasco, Tony Ozier, 311, Farnell Newton, Tom Scott, Brittni Paiva, Justin Chittams of Medicine for The People, and DAZZ. Taking a very grounded approach to teaching, Agyei specializes in working with students of all skill levels whether you’re looking for the absolute basics or more advanced technique and theory. He also specializes in Home Recording/Studio Production, Songwriting, and has engineered and produced recordings for artists such as Jessica Manalo, Moon Fog, The Heavy Hustle, Adebisi, and Laryssa Birdseye. Guitar. Bass. Ukulele. Home Recording. Production. Song Writing. Music Theory. Fretboard Theory. Fretboard Visualization.
Rafael
Teacher
Violin
Rafael
Teacher
Violin
Rafael first began playing violin in 2009. He plays with the Clark College Orchestra as well as Clark Community Strings, led by Sandra Edwards in Vancouver Washington. Rafael has taught local private lessons as well as sectionals at Evergreen High School and Cascade Middle School. He led a professional string quartet from 2019-2021 which performed pieces from Dimitri Shostakovich and Sergei Prokofiev. Although the journey of a musician is shared by many, it is ultimately experienced alone, making each and every one's experience unique. He wants to teach how to be a self-sufficient musician, how to explore, how to enjoy and appreciate music while still learning how to play well.
Haelli Elyse
Teacher
Piano
Haelli Elyse
Teacher
Piano
Haelli gravitated towards the piano at a very young age. Before learning to tie her shoes, ride a bicycle, or sculpt playdough, she was sounding out the chords of her favorite songs on her Grandma's piano. Her enthusiasm for music has only continued to grow and flourish into her college years. She was lucky enough to learn from some of the best teachers this area has to offer, both privately and through college. At the age of 10 Haelli began performing at weddings, church events, and various recitals. As an adult she has continued to learn from, and perform with exceptional musicians. Second to her love of playing music is her love of teaching it. She has spent more than a decade sharing the joy of music with both kids and adults. During her early years, Haelli relied heavily on her ear and less on sheet music. This left her feeling inadequate and unmotivated when it came to practicing her assignments. Luckily she was able to find a special teacher who was able to guide her through the challenges and help her to learn proper technique and master necessary skills. Now, as a teacher herself, overcoming those struggles has given her excellent insight in how to help others and draw the music out of each student where it can flourish. In her lessons, Haelli strives to understand and connect with students in order to teach them in a way that suits their learning style and helps them build a love for music. This is what all of her esteemed teachers did for her, and she hopes to pass it on, gratefully.
Marie Griffith
Teacher
Violin, Viola
Marie Griffith
Teacher
Violin, Viola
Marie grew up in Seattle, where she studied under Mihoko Hirata in one of the first Suzuki programs in the US. She holds a Bachelor and Master’s degree in violin performance from the University of Utah. In high school and college, she performed as soloist with several orchestras in the West and Northwest. She performed professionally with the Reading Symphony (PA) and the Chattanooga Symphony (TN) as well as the Trio di Roma piano trio in Rome, Georgia. She has completed post-graduate studies in chamber music with Mikhail Boguslavsky (Moscow Chamber Orchestra) and avant-garde performance with Janos Negyesy (UCSD). She has taught violin and viola for over 30 years and loves the challenge of helping students of all ages and abilities improve their technique and learn to express themselves through music they love.
