Artistry & Pedagogy
Led by professional string educators and performers, the academy emphasizes artistic growth, parent involvement, ensemble playing, and long-term musical development in a welcoming educational environment.
Faculty Bios
Rowell Jao
Jason Diggs
Lead Suzuki Violin Instructor and Co-founder of the Frederick String Academy.
With over 20 years of experience as a violinist, violist, and educator, my life’s work flows in a deep synergy between the stage and the studio. Currently, I serve as Adjunct Faculty of Violin and Viola at Frederick Community College, while also dedicating myself to cultivating the next generation of string players in my private teaching studio. I believe that performance and pedagogy feed into one another, and I bring the wisdom of my real world artistic journey directly to my students.
My musical roots began in Virginia, where I graduated from the Governor's School for the Arts. I later honed my craft at Shenandoah University Conservatory, earning a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and two Master of Music degrees: one in Violin Performance and the other in Violin Pedagogy. This dual focus on both high-level artistry and the mechanics of teaching, established the foundation for my career.
As a performer, my background spans the solo, chamber, and orchestral stages. One of my most rewarding collaborative milestones was performing as a featured artist on the Grammy-nominated album Indigo Road by lutenist Ronn McFarlane. Navigating the demands of the professional industry allows me to offer my students practical, stage-tested insights rather than just abstract theory.
Because I believe that a healthy physical foundation is the key to musical freedom, I am deeply committed to pedagogical advancement.
I hold full Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) registration in Violin Books 1–10, enhanced by an array of supplemental enrichment courses such as Every Child Can! (ECC), Suzuki Principles in Action (SPA), and Suzuki in the Schools.
To further refine my approach to injury prevention and technique, I earned a Certificate in Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation from Northwestern University and attended the Starling DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies at The Juilliard School.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of mentoring a diverse range of musicians, from my time on the Strings Faculty at the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy to the dedicated students I instruct today at FCC. No matter the age or skill level, my goal remains the same: to foster healthy technique, joyful artistic expression, and a lifelong love for music.
Rowell Jao's Suzuki Association of the Americas Teacher Profile
Lead Suzuki Viola Instructor, Music Director of the Frederick Youth String Orchestra, and Co-founder of the Frederick String Academy.
With more than 20 years of performance and teaching experience, I am passionate about helping students develop both strong technical skills and a lifelong love of music. I enjoy bringing my experiences as a performer, educator, and mentor into every lesson, helping students build confidence, discipline, and artistic expression.
I currently serve as Adjunct Viola and Chamber Music Faculty at Frederick Community College and teach students of all ages and experience levels. Before joining the faculty at FCC, I maintained a private teaching studio in the Baltimore area and served as a middle school orchestra director in Washington County Public Schools.
My own musical journey began in the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra Association (now the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras). I went on to study at the Shenandoah University Conservatory, earning a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance and an Artist Diploma in Quartet Studies. I later completed a Master of Music in Viola Performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Throughout my career, I have performed as both a principal and section violist, chamber musician, and soloist. I currently perform with the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, Roanoke Symphony, Apollo Orchestra, and Main Street Chamber Orchestra. I have also had the privilege of participating in a variety of recording projects, including Indigo Road with Ronn McFarlane, Rudolph Kreutzer's Violin Concertos on the Naxos label featuring violinist Axel Strauss, and Hauschka's Foreign Landscapes.
I am currently registered through the Suzuki Association of the Americas for Violin Books 1–5 and continue to pursue advanced Suzuki training. As a lifelong learner and educator, I am working toward completing the full Suzuki viola training sequence as well as additional violin training. I have also participated in the Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies at The Juilliard School.
One of the greatest joys of teaching is watching students discover what they are capable of achieving. Whether working with a young beginner, an advancing student, or a future music major, I look forward to helping each student reach their goals and become a confident, thoughtful musician.
Jason Digg's Suzuki Association of the Americas Teacher Profile
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Location
Frederick, Maryland
United States
Contact
jadiggs@frederick.edu
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