Elizabeth Faidley '98

When world-renowned violinist and educator Elizabeth Faidley ’98 talks about her career, it’s easy to see why The New York Times once called her an “amazing and inspiring teacher.” Over the past two decades, she has built a legacy as one of the most respected violin teachers in the world—founder of The Elizabeth Faidley Studio in New York City, longtime faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music, and mentor to thousands of young musicians and teachers across more than 30 countries.

But her story begins much closer to home.

As an elementary school student on Signal Mountain, Elizabeth first fell in love with the violin after hearing a string quartet perform at her school. “I got in the car and told my parents, ‘I want to play the violin,’” she recalls. “They were surprised and didn’t think it’s anything I would actually stick with, but I just kept pestering them until they finally gave in.”

Her passion for music grew quickly—but so did the challenges. “By middle school, I was getting bullied for carrying my violin,” Elizabeth remembers. “My mom saw how unhappy I was and went to Mr. Tucker at GPS to see if I could transfer. I started that October, and from the moment I arrived, everything changed.”

At GPS, Elizabeth found both belonging and encouragement. “No one made fun of me. I was just an orchestra kid, and I loved it. GPS was a totally different world.” She also found mentors who helped shape her love for learning. “Mr. Vey, Mr. Henry, Mrs. Barker, and Mrs. Neal were four teachers who truly changed my life,” she says. “They made me want to be a teacher.”

Although Elizabeth initially dreamed of teaching English, music ultimately became her calling. After earning multiple degrees, she joined the Baltimore Symphony before realizing her true passion lay in teaching. “I was playing professionally, but I kept thinking about my students,” she says. “I realized teaching was where I could really make a difference.”

Now celebrating her twentieth year at the Manhattan School of Music, Elizabeth continues to nurture that difference every day. She works with more than 60 advanced students in her private studio, tailoring her approach to each individual. “I teach every student differently,” she explains. “Some need calm; some need energy. Every lesson, I’m thinking about what that child needs most.”

Her impact reaches far beyond the walls of her studio. Elizabeth mentors violin teachers worldwide and is a fierce advocate for accessibility and equity in music education. “We need more programs that give every child the chance to experience an instrument,” she says. “Exposure and access are everything.”

Balancing her thriving studio with motherhood, Elizabeth is also “momager” to her 15-year-old daughter, Aurelia, a gifted cellist who studies at Juilliard and recently completed a European performance tour. “We may have driven each other nuts at times,” Elizabeth jokes, “but it was wonderful. She’s incredibly gifted.”

Looking back, Elizabeth credits GPS for much of her drive and determination. “I learned how to work hard, how to study, how to write—all of it at GPS,” she says. “Even after earning multiple degrees from Johns Hopkins and studying at Columbia, the foundation I got at GPS stands out. Those teachers gave me a lifelong love of learning.”

For current GPS students dreaming of careers in the arts, Elizabeth offers heartfelt advice: “You have to go for it. Don’t hedge, don’t hold back. Women especially struggle with imposter syndrome, but you belong in every room you walk into. Use the incredible skills GPS has given you, and show the world how amazing you are.”