Molly White – Ethnomusicologist, Teaching Artist and Song-Writer
I met Molly White over twenty years ago when she joined our group, the Nevenka East European Folk Ensemble. Molly received a degree in Ethnomusicology, had a wonderful voice, and played both violin and guitar. She was a perfect addition to our group. Over the years, I’ve watched, in awe, as she has pursued and expanded her musical career. Today her focus is on teaching children violin and guitar in the Suzuki method, as well as traditional fiddle, and song-writing.
I asked Molly her history with the violin and guitar and to describe her studies in ethnomusicology:
“I started learning Suzuki violin when I was 6 and switched to studying classical guitar in college. I fell in love with Latin American folk music, the rhythms, melodies, harmonies and languages, participating in the ensembles at UCSC, and was honored to direct the Andean ensemble during my master’s at UT Austin. I researched children’s folk music in Chile, where I spent several years, as well as folk music performance in public spaces of Santiago. Ultimately, I was drawn to applied ethnomusicology, where I enjoy researching music, performing and teaching.”
Molly described how she came to focus on teaching children and creating music for kids:
“Before getting my Suzuki teacher training, I trained in Music Together, an approach for early childhood music education that lays the groundwork with music fundamentals like steady beat, melody, rhythm and movement. I taught for ten years at a several different preschools and kindergartens as a music specialist, and at some point, I grew comfortable enough with classroom management that my song-writer-self kicked into gear, and that play-based approach to interacting with the children, led naturally to collaborative ideas for new songs. That’s how Peach & Spoon was born!”
The Suzuki Music Program of Los Angeles recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Molly’s connection to the program is longstanding, attending as a child, teaching group classes for the last eleven years and participating as a Co-Director for the last seven.
I asked what she liked best about the Suzuki method of teaching:
“I like that Dr. Suzuki, as well as offshoots of his method (such as Elise Winters’ Kaleidoscopes for violin), begin with folk songs. With these songs and specific activities around singing and finger dexterity and control, parent and child alike can enjoy the process of music acquisition, while the child can feel immediately successful and a part of the family music culture, and a part of the group culture if participating in group classes. Suzuki’s Mother Tongue Method is really about creating an environment of music so the child learns to be musical, they learn to love music as their own. And beyond what Dr. Suzuki suggested, I think it’s so important to listen to a wide array of musical genres at home, not just classical and popular genres, but jazz and folk music from around the world. How wonderful if rhythms in 7/8 and 5/4 aren’t a surprise!”
Molly thoroughly enjoys teaching children. In her studio and online she is busy giving individual lessons in violin, guitar and fiddle traditions, along with performing, researching, and writing music for children.
In her own words:
“I knew I wanted to have a business that would allow me to grow with the children I teach and become a music companion and coach through their growing up years. It has been a real joy to work with children of all ages! Just this year one of my first students who started when he was 6, and struggled with learning disabilities throughout his school years, is now starting college. I’m thrilled! One of my guitar students continues lessons while in her second year of rocket science school (aerospace engineering), and another song-writing student just performed her last gig for now as she heads to Berklee School of Music. What an honor to have supported these wonderful children in their musical careers so far!”
I asked Molly about her recorded releases for children and where we can find them.
“The first album is self-titled as Peach & Spoon and contains a hello and goodbye song in case teachers want to incorporate them into classroom music time. The second batch has already begun to be released with the fun dance tune Bananas that I wrote with my nephew when he was five. It’s a song for picky eaters dedicated to all those families out there who are just trying to do the right thing!”
More about Molly White:
Molly has her own YouTube Channel
She recently released this YouTube video:
All the children you see dancing in the video are her violin and guitar students, and one of them is featured signing the lyrics in ASL!
Molly is a passionate and experienced musician, songwriter, and teaching artist. She combines a love for Latin American music and American folk music with teaching fundamentals in Western music, music theory and instrumental technique, giving students of all ages, exposure to repertoire of varying genres and cultures.
When not teaching, you might find her enjoying down time with her husband and adorable cats, playing waltzes with Rebecca Stout and Steve Werner, singing with Nevenka, taking fiddle lessons at Katie Glassman’s Fiddle School, writing and recording songs, doing research, performing publicly, and attending festivals.
Molly and Nevenka colleague Rebecca Stout (an accomplished and well-known buck dancer) teach harmony singing together at traditional music camps. Molly also provides the music for Rebecca’s flat foot dance classes. The Walker Creek Folk Music Camp is a favorite of theirs.
You can find Molly’s music for children on:
Molly’s Peach and Spoon website where you can watch the Peach & Spoon video and purchase the Peach & Spoon recording (CD and/or download)
You can catch Molly at the following upcoming events:
- Volunteering at the Instrument Petting Zoo at the Santa Barbara Old Time Fiddler’s Festival on October 4, 2025
- Running a kid’s square dance, play-in and fund raiser for Suzuki Music Program of L.A. (SMPLA) on November 3, 2025
- Hosting a fiddle jam and playing a kids music set with folk musician Steve Werner at the Family Stage of the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest on May 17, 2026
- Teaching at Big Sur Fiddle Camp next June, 2026 with Rebecca Stout.
