Summer began violin at the age of six by means of the Suzuki method. She has been fortunate to have Nancy Jackson, a highly acclaimed Suzuki teacher, and Mathais Tacke of the world renowned Vermeer Quartet as two of her many great instructors. Summer holds degrees in music and sociology from Augsburg College and a Masters in violin performance from Northern Illinois University. She furthered her graduate studies while at NIU to obtain a Performers Certificate in violin.
Growing up Summer was an active performer in her community both in violin and on piano, thanks to her mother who is a pianist. While living in Minneapolis she performed with a Jazz/Klezmer band for many years in addition to her classical performing. In the Chicago area she worked as a freelance musician and was a member of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. From 2005-2007 Summer lived in Wisconsin performing with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra and lead the Preparatory Arts Suzuki Violin Program at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. In 2006, she had the opportunity to be a guest soloist with the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra. Summer joined Lincoln’s Symphony in 2007 and also performs with the Omaha Symphony, the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, Abendmusik and Indigo Strings.
Summer and her husband Jeff own and operate Fiddlestick Music which provides music instruction in Suzuki violin, drums and piano to over 100 students in Lincoln and Columbus, NE.
As a sociologist, performer, music teacher and mentor to youth, Summer brings a unique background into teaching from a child development perspective of how music can strengthen students in all areas of their lives. She loves living in Lincoln with her husband Jeff and their twin boys, Cole and Dakota. She also owns Nourishing Souls, a health coaching and publishing company.