Our Teachers

The faculty at Viola Camp are selected for excellence in musicianship, dedication to teaching and for their positive, fun loving attitudes.

Jennifer Drake is the founder of Idaho Viola Camp. She performs with the Boise Philharmonic and Boise Baroque orchestras. She is also the conductor of the Serenata Orchestra and the Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Jen also teaches over 40 private viola students, has an alto clef tattoo on her ankle and spends a large amount of time and energy thinking of pieces that would be fun to play in a viola ensemble. She was a featured performer at the 33rd International Viola Congress in Reykjavik, Iceland.

In addition to all things viola, she also likes hike,  hang out with her dogs Casey and Cameron, and spend time with her husband Chad Marvin. She credits her public school teachers back in Troy, Michigan for shaping her lifelong love of everything viola. Thanks, Roxanne Oliver, Connie Dugger and Alan MacNair!

Jen also likes coffee. A lot.

Emily White is an orchestra and general music teacher in the Meridian School District. She has taught private viola students for over 15 years. Emily earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the College of Idaho. While there, she studied viola with David Johnson. Emily also plays with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra. When she is not playing or teaching the viola, she enjoys hiking with her husband and dog, reading and yoga.

Maureen Heflinger is a multifaceted performer and educator who feels equally at home premiering new works, leading a viola sectional, and getting in and out of a headstand. After growing up in Fairbanks and studying with Marcus Thompson at New England Conservatory, Maureen enjoys a varied freelance career in Boston. She currently holds titles of Principal Violist and Chamber Fellow with Symphony Nova, and plays for Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. Maureen is the Director of Chamber Music at Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program, teaches viola sectionals at New England Conservatory Preparatory School, and maintains a private studio in Boston. Maureen is also super good at yoga, and keeping Jen out of trouble when they perform together at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival.