Jordan Junior Strings was founded 30 years ago by Elaine Bonner. Elaine was inspired to teach by her oldest son's teacher who used the Suzuki Method of teaching. Elaine has combined the Suzuki Method with her own techniques to successfully teach the violin and viola to hundreds of children over the years.
Elaine's pupils are organised into groups and orchestras which perform regularly and hold regular concerts. They play in local events and festivals, as well as having regular opportunities to play solos to each other for motivation and to gain confidence.
Elaine has taken her pupils on tour to Austria, Hungary, Italy and Spain where they have performed at important venues such as the Kodaly Music Institute in Hungary and the Alhambra Palace in Grenada, Spain. They have been on national television in all of those countries and have even played "Spring" from the Seasons on the steps of the very church in Venice where Vivaldi played and taught!
Many of Elaine's pupils have moved on to study at public schools, music colleges and universities and many have won scholarships and awards at famous Institutions including Wycombe Abbey, Marlborough College, Headington, Oundle, St. Anne's, The Menuhin School, Wells Cathedral School and the Purcell School. A large number have been members and even leaders of the National Children's Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra, and even the Royal Academy of Music's Junior Orchestra. Elaine and her pupils have performed many times to Ambassadors, Prime Ministers and Royalty.