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Youth Symphony lower strings.
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2023 Concerto Competition Winner
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  • Beginner Cello
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Welcome to the Duke University
String School!

DUSS students perform in Baldwin Auditorium

In residence on Duke’s beautiful campus, the Duke University String School is a string education program for students aged 5-18 who commit to their instrument through practice, weekly lessons, and ensemble instruction.  Dedicated to excellence, we provide students with clear goals for advancement while fostering a love for music and opportunities for lasting friendships.

Since its founding in 1967 by Mrs. Dorothy Kitchen and Mrs. Arlene DiCecco, DUSS has a 50-year tradition of facilitating access to music education for any child.  The Duke University String School is committed to being accessible to any student, regardless of financial status, who is passionate about music and interested in a program fostering excellence in a supportive atmosphere.

News

DUSS Welcomes Molly Hines: Violin & Viola Teacher
June 29, 2025

It is our pleasure to announce that Dr. Molly Hines will join the DUSS teaching faculty starting July 7, 2025. Dr. Hines will be teaching private… read more about DUSS Welcomes Molly Hines: Violin & Viola Teacher »


2024 Concerto Competition Winners
October 23, 2024

We want to congratulate every single performer who participated in the 2024 DUSS Concerto Competition today. Each student showed a great deal of hard… read more about 2024 Concerto Competition Winners »


Beginner Cello Group Class Openings
September 20, 2024

While most of our ensembles are full this semester, we have 1-2 more openings in the Beginner Cello Group Class for students with 1 year or less of… read more about Beginner Cello Group Class Openings »


See All News

Events

Aug
23
Sat
Fall 2025 Auditions
9:00 am
Biddle Music Building

Nov
15
Sat
Violin & Cello Choir Concert
4:00 pm
Nelson Music Room

Nov
16
Sun
Orchestra Concert
4:30 pm
Baldwin Auditorium

See All Events

Meet the Instructors

Molly Hines

Molly Hines

Violin and Viola Teacher

Dr. Molly Hines is a professional violinist who maintains a dynamic teaching and performing career. Molly is passionate in sharing the joy of music… read Molly Hines's full profile »

Erica Shirts

Erica Shirts

Director, Violin & Viola Teacher, Chamber Music Instructor, Beginner Violin & Violin Choir III Conductor

Erica Shirts, a native of Utah, regularly performs in the North Carolina Symphony and North Carolina Opera. Erica has performed as the Associate… read Erica Shirts's full profile »

Carlos Bardales

Carlos Bardales

Cello Teacher, Chamber Music Instructor, Co-Conductor of Cello Choirs

After graduating from the Victoriano Lopez music conservatory in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in 1980, Carlos A. Bardales moved to San Jose, Costa Rica… read Carlos Bardales's full profile »

Matt Stutzman

Matt Stutzman

Intermediate String Orchestra Condcutor, Music Theory Teacher

Matthew Stutzman grew up in Indianapolis, IN and in 2004 received his bachelor of arts in music education from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago… read Matt Stutzman's full profile »

Leyland soloing with the with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra

Nathan Leyland

Cello Teacher

Nathan Leyland, born in Butler, Pennsylvania, began his cello studies at the age of 9 in the public schools of Lynchburg,VA. Nathan attended the… read Nathan Leyland's full profile »

Maria Valencia

Maria Valencia

Viola & Violin Teacher

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, violist Maria Valencia began her music studies at the Carabobo Music Conservatory. She then transcended her studies to… read Maria Valencia's full profile »

Isoa Chapman

Isoa Chapman

Violin and Viola Teacher, Chamber Music Instructor

Isoa Chapman is originally from New Zealand where he studied with Jan Tawroszewicz (Warsaw Piano Quintet) at Canterbury University. He subsequently… read Isoa Chapman's full profile »

Dorothy Kitchen

Dorothy Kitchen

Founder and Director Emeritus

Dorothy Kitchen began her studies at Eastman School of Music, finished Phi Beta Kappa at Case Western Reserve University and took her Master's Degree… read Dorothy Kitchen's full profile »

Lisa Mae Lewis

Lisa Mae Lewis

Viola and Violin Teacher, Chamber Music Instructor

Lisa Mae Lewis recently moved to North Carolina from the Los Angeles area. She earned her Bachelors of Music degree in String Concentration from… read Lisa Mae Lewis's full profile »

Zachary Hobin

Zachary Hobin

Bass Teacher, Chamber Music Instructor

Based out of Raleigh, NC, Dr. Hobin is a frequent performer of orchestral, chamber, Baroque and 20th/21st century repertoire, as well as jazz,… read Zachary Hobin's full profile »

Rob Rempher

Rob Rempher

Concert String Orchestra Conductor, Chamber Music Coordinator, Violin & Viola Teacher

Robert Rempher received his Bachelors Degree in Violin Performance as well as a Performers Certificate from Purchase College, State University of New… read Rob Rempher's full profile »

Nonoko Okada

Nonoko Okada

Violin and Viola Teacher, Violin Choir I Conductor, Chamber Music Instructor, Administrative Assistant

Nonoko started her violin training at the age of six in her native Japan. She grew up studying with teachers who were close pupils of Dr. Shinichi… read Nonoko Okada's full profile »

Erica Leavell

Erica Leavell

Cello Teacher, Co-Conductor of Cello Choirs

Cellist Erica Leavell grew up in New Jersey where at an early age, she began her studies with former Philadelphia Orchestra principal cellist William… read Erica Leavell's full profile »

Help Support DUSS!

Erica Shirts with student

The Duke University String School is financially committed to helping families in the community who would not be able to participate otherwise. We are grateful for all contributions, no matter the size, to the Dorothy Kitchen Scholarship Fund.

Make a Gift

DUSS logo.

Mary Duke Biddle Music Building
9 Brodie Gym Drive
Campus Box 90665
Durham, NC 27708

Questions? Email nonoko.okada@duke.edu

The School

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