Colleen Hunter began studying piano with her mother at age three and followed in her sister’s footsteps on the violin at age nine. She received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Montana, with additional study in string pedagogy at Denver University, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan. A founding member of SOR and former assistant concertmaster, principal 2nd violin, and principal violist with the Missoula Symphony, Colleen has also performed with orchestras in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, and Kalispell/Whitefish. Colleen founded the UM Suzuki String Program and has also worked for the Montana Arts Council, H&R Block, Missoula County Public Schools, and at UM in Women’s Studies, the Center for Ethics, and the Office of Sponsored Programs as a nationally certified research administrator. Colleen retired in October 2022 and looks forward to enjoying the beauty of Montana and sharing music with family and friends.