Linda Dyer
Linda is a Norfolk native whose love of music has been evident since she was a very young child. A professional violinist and violist for over 45 years, her biggest joy comes from watching her students discover that same joy. Ms. Dyer has studied with Linda Rogers Althoff, Gregory Barnes, Dr. Alice Lindsay and has been a regular section violist with Symphonicity (formerly the Virginia Beach Symphony) for over 25 years. She also performed with the South Orange (NJ) and is the founder and violist for the Botanica String Quartet. Ms. Dyer teaches a combined curriculum of Suzuki and traditional methods. Ms. Dyer has served as a coach with the Hampton Roads Chamber Players with Jorge Aguirre and Lesa Bishop, the Governor’s School for the Arts (where she also serves as a Foundation Board Member) and serves as a regular adjudicator in the public school system for the annual Solo and Ensemble Festival and has served as the Guest Conductor for All-City Orchestra.in Virginia Beach.
Linda loves to create performance opportunities such as playing in assisted living facilities and other community groups for her students. She was the first teacher to her two daughters, Ashley and Elizabeth who continue to play as young adults with their own families. Daughter Ashley and husband Mark are musicians in the Columbus Symphony. Music is truly a family affair, and Ms. Dyer’s Dyer’s students remain a very special part of her life for years to come and many come back to play during college breaks and free time!
She recently retired from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and is a frequent TV and radio personality across the region as well as the author and owner of Finishing Touches, a company teaching etiquette and manners class across the country since 1984. Her best-selling books and classes, “Finishing Touches for Girls” and “Finishing Touches for Teens and Boys”, have been enjoyed by over 18,000 students nationwide.
