Elizabeth Council-Phelan has received the 2020 Studio Teacher of the Year award from the Ohio String Teachers Association (OSTA). This award recognizes outstanding achievement by string educators in the state.
In 1995, Elizabeth and her husband, Dr. Vincent Phelan founded the Corryville Suzuki Project, an accelerated family-oriented music program that offers violin and viola instruction to children ages 4-18, from all parts of the Greater Cincinnati area. The Phelans also train instructors. As a performer, Elizabeth is currently Principal Viola of the Southwest Ohio Philharmonic and previously served as principal of the Middletown Symphony Orchestra. Elizabeth, Vincent, and their son Peter have formed the Phelan Trio performing on area recitals. She has performed with the Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Illinois Philharmonic, and the Richmond (IN) Symphony. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Elizabeth has studied Suzuki pedagogy with numerous pedagogues including William Preucil, recording artist of the Suzuki Viola School.
Dr. Phelan presented the award to Elizabeth at the OSTA annual meeting at the Ohio Music Education Association conference. In his presentation, he said, “Elizabeth has worked tirelessly to provide a wonderful music education for children of many economic, racial and social backgrounds since 1993. She secures grants and makes financial appeals to individuals and corporations, which makes it possible for children who can’t afford music lessons to have access to high quality, broad based music education. Elizabeth is a highly organized and principled professional. She has high standards for the basic fundamentals of posture and set-up of violinists and violists. She has exacting and clear standards and benchmarks for advancing students to the next level in their musical development. Elizabeth makes sure that students are encouraged and parents are supported in their work to help their children at home.”