About Us

STES was founded in 1977 by W. Jeanne Luedke in South Britain, CT. In 1987 Helen Malyszka and Andrew Lafreniere became co-directors when they purchased the school, now located in Sandy Hook, CT. STES currently provides music education to over 100 children.

Instructors

Helen Malyszka, who teaches the Baby classes, Pre Suzuki classes and Theory classes, became involved with STES in 1983 with her son Paul, who was three years old at the time. In 1985 Helen received Suzuki training from Jeanne Luedke and began teaching Pre-Suzuki classes. Helen is also the music teacher for St Rose Pre-School, Newtown Congregational Nursery Co-op and the Wesley Learning Center. In 1975, Helen graduated from Stevenson College in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition to her teaching, she has performed in the vocal harmony trio Eclipse throughout Scotland and in the United States for over 30 years with her brother and twin sister.

Andrew Lafreniere, with a Masters degree in guitar performance from the Hartt School of Music, teaches both guitar and piano at STES. His Suzuki studies have been with Jeanne Luedke, Frank Longay, and Bill Kossler. He is on the Suzuki Association of the Americas Guitar Development Committee and has been a Suzuki teacher for over twenty-five years. As a member of the committee, he has been involved with the publication of the Suzuki guitar method books. He is a popular clinician, teaching at many Suzuki institutes throughout the country. Several of his students have gone on to study at some of the finest music schools in the country. Andrew has performed throughout the area in a variety of musical settings. He is on the faculty of Western Connecticut State University as their classical guitar instructor.

In 2002, Paul Malyszka joined the STES staff as a certified Suzuki piano teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Paul began the Suzuki method at age three, studying piano with Jeanne Luedke for fifteen years. He received his B.A. in Music from Manhattanville College and his Masters Degree in Piano Accompaniment from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. Paul is the music director and organist at the King Street United Church of Christ in Danbury, CT. Paul is also the full time accompanist for the music department of the Wooster School of Danbury.

Trish Keil, Helen’s twin sister, co-teaches the Pre-Suzuki program with Helen. Trish has been involved in music most of her life singing in the band as well as teaching. She also teaches at the Wesley Early Learning Center and New England Country Day School in Danbury.

Please contact us at:

111 Church Hill Road P.O. Box 3054 Newtown, CT 06470-3054 (203) 426-3939