Atlanta Suzuki Institute

Any teachers planning to begin Book 1 training this summer during institute season—get a head start by completing the required Every Child Can course in April, with Edward Kreitman.

As part of our Black History Month spotlight series, the Atlanta Suzuki Institute is honored to recognize the inspiring work of Dantes Rameau, whose vision continues to transform lives through music.

While studying at the Yale School of Music, Dantes Rameau discovered his passion for using music as a pathway to opportunity. Teaching public school students in New Haven, he saw firsthand how environment and access shape a child’s belief in their own potential. Inspired by his multicultural upbringing and the support he received from his family, he became determined to create those same opportunities for others.

In 2010, he co-founded the Atlanta Music Project, a tuition-free program built not only to provide high-quality music instruction, but to close gaps in arts access and empower underserved youth across Atlanta. What began with small after-school ensembles has grown into a thriving community serving hundreds of students each year with instruments, mentorship, and performance opportunities.

Rameau’s work reminds us that music education can shape confidence, leadership, and entire communities. By creating environments where students see role models who look like them—and where their artistry is valued—programs like the Atlanta Music Project continue to redefine what is possible, both on and off the stage alongside institutions like the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

We celebrate Dantes Rameau and the lasting impact of his vision on the next generation of musicians.

Jessica Stinson is an exceptional Georgia artist whose work as a performer, educator, and advocate continues to enrich the musical life of Atlanta and beyond. We were truly honored to welcome her as a guest artist at the Atlanta Suzuki Institute last year, where her artistry, insight, and generosity left a lasting impression on our students and families.

Jessica has built an inspiring career as a violinist and chamber musician. She is a member of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra and regularly performs with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. Her artistic versatility was recently showcased through her debut at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City, performing with jazz composer Russell Gunn.

As a passionate educator, Jessica serves as Visiting Lecturer of Violin at Georgia State University, and for over a decade she has helped guide the next generation of musicians. Her students have earned placements in leading youth orchestras, and she has presented masterclasses for major institutions across the country.

Beyond the stage and classroom, Jessica is also a champion for diversity and inclusion in classical music. She is a founding member of Mosaic Quartet, an ensemble committed to expanding representation and creating space for new voices in the arts. She also performs widely across Atlanta with Ensemble ATL and the Magnolia String Quartet.

In honor of Black History Month, we proudly celebrate Jessica Stinson and her lasting impact on Georgia’s artistic community.