Faculty
Charles Krigbaum
Founder and Director
Charles Krigbaum is the founder and Director of the North Texas School of Talent Education, a Suzuki violin and viola program located in Plano, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude, from the Schwob School of Music and received the Master of Music degree, summa cum laude, at the University of Texas at Arlington. Charles has completed hundreds of hours of teacher training at the American Suzuki Institute, and has also received post-graduate training in violin pedagogy at Indiana University. Charles has taught at workshops and Institutes throughout the United States, Canada, England, and Germany; he is also past President of the North Texas Suzuki Association, a Chapter Affiliate of the SAA. In 2010, Charles became one of the first teachers in the country to earn the Certificate of Achievement from the SAA. He became a registered Teacher Trainer for the SAA in 2014.
Daina Volodka Staggs
Director
Daina Volodka Staggs has been involved with Suzuki Talent Education for over thirty years, as a student and teacher, and now as a parent. Daina’s musical journey began at a young age through violin studies with world-renowned Suzuki author and pedagogue Edward Kreitman at the Western Springs School of Talent Education. She completed her studies at WSSTE with Tom Wermuth, a Presidential Scholar Teacher Recognition Award winner and 2010 American String Teachers Association Illinois Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Staggs began her Suzuki teacher training at the age of 16 under Edward Kreitman, during which time she acted as student tutor at WSSTE, offering practice help to parents of excelling students. Mrs. Staggs has performed as a soloist in London, Paris, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, as a member of the Chicago Consort, the advanced violin ensemble at the Western Springs School of Talent Education. Mrs. Staggs also participated in master classes with William Starr, Almita Vamos, James Stern, Victor Aitay, and Joseph Golan. read more...