Island Strings is
a network of strings teachers located on Whidbey Island, Washington. Founded in 1974 by Linda Good, Paula Pugh,
and Linda Morris, Island Strings provides instruction on violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, piano, recorder, banjo, dulcimer,
and harp. Island Strings students can take private and group lessons, participate in masterclasses and workshops, the Gold
Note Festival, the Young Artists Concerto Competition, and studio recitals. They have many opportunities to perform in the
community throughout the year.
===================== Adapted from the
South Whidbey Record
January 7, 2004
Island Strings
celebrates 30 years of teaching
music
to young musicians
By CYNTHIA WOOLBRIGHT
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary for Island Strings, which began in 1974 simply as a partnership between string instructors.
Linda
Good moved to Whidbey in 1967 and soon began teaching violin lessons using the Suzuki method. Shortly after, she united with
fellow instructors Paula Pugh and Linda Morris. Together, the network of teachers worked with other string instructors to
bring violin, cello, viola, piano and guitar lessons to the public schools of South Whidbey.
In
1974, Island Strings consisted of eight violin students learning the Suzuki method. The first cello workshop presented by
Island Strings was taught in 1988 by guest instructor Maria DeRungs of Mukilteo.
Island
Strings alumni numbers reach into the hundreds, and some former students - including South Whidbey Intermediate School instructor
Kimmer Morris - have gone on to be instructors themselves.
“It’s been great to follow some of my students for as long as I have,” Good said. “I love
watching children’s progress, see the education for the parents as well and see the wonderful collaboration
of it all.”
Island Strings looks
forward to hosting a number of events to mark its anniversary. This summer will be the sixth year that South Whidbey
youth can attend the Island Strings camp.
“Linda Good
and Island Strings are such fixtures in this community,” cellist Siri Sobottka said. “There’re more little
string players per capita in this area than anywhere else.”