Susan A. Davis, PhD, violinist and vocalist, is passionate about her pursuit of both performance and music education. Susan splits her time by teaching music education courses at New York University and Brooklyn College, playing violin in a duo with her husband Eric B. Davis, singing, and directing the orchestras at Nesaquake Middle School in Long Island, New York.

Susan has attended notable performance programs at Indiana University and Mannes College of Music in Manhattan. She has been a private student of Camilla Williams, Dan Marek and Donald Caldwell. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Stony Brook University and her Master’s Degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. While at Queens, she was recognized with the Queens College Choral Society Award in Music Education. In May, 2011, Susan completed her PhD at New York University. Her dissertation, Acts of Hospitality: A Case Study of the University of South Carolina String Project, makes a significant contribution to string education research.

As a violinist and vocalist, Susan has made numerous appearances throughout New York and the surrounding area. She has performed as a soloist and in ensembles at the Nat Horne Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Staller Center, New Jersey Opera Institute, Stephen Talkhouse, in multiple Borders Books and Music Stores, at the Book Review in Huntington, LI, and aboard the QE II. She has also performed with the Manhattan Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra throughout New York City.

In addition to working as an adjunct professor at New York University and Brooklyn College, Susan is currently a faculty member of the award-winning music department in the Smithtown Central School District. The music program has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Communities for Music Education and in 2005 was the only school in Suffolk County to receive recognition as a Grammy “Signature School.” Susan has conducted the Nesaquake Middle School orchestras, high school Symphonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and West Side Fiddlers.

Susan is an active member of the Conductors Guild, ASTA, MENC, NYSSMA, LISFA, and SCMEA. As a member of SCMEA she has been chairperson for county festival orchestras. She frequently works as an adjudicator for NYSSMA solo festivals and often volunteers to judge seating at Suffolk County LISFA and SCMEA orchestra festivals. In this way, Susan hopes to pass on her passion for music to the next generation.