Therese Wirakesuma

Therese Wirakesuma has lived in Indonesia for more than 35 years. Originally from Montana, USA, she earned degrees in Music Education and Modern Languages from Montana State University in 1983. During a one-year exchange program in Germany, she met her late husband, Putra Wirakesuma, and subsequently moved to Indonesia. In 2006, she completed a Master of Arts Education degree through Deakin University, Australia.

From 1994 to 2014, Therese served as Strings Teacher and International Baccalaureate Music Teacher at Sekolah Pelita Harapan in Lippo Village, Tangerang, Indonesia. She began her Suzuki teacher training in 2009 and has completed numerous courses with teacher trainers from the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the Asia Region Suzuki Association.

Committed to supporting the growth of Suzuki education, Therese serves on the boards of the Suzuki Music Association of Indonesia (SMAI), the Suzuki Association of Asia Regions (ARSA), and is past member at large and secretary of the International Suzuki Association (ISA).

In Indonesia, Therese is the founder of Yayasan Pendidikan Musik Klasik Indonesia, a community music center foundation, and the Be Sharp Foundation, which provides free music instruction to underserved children. She maintains an active private violin studio and enjoys guest teaching at music camps and presenting workshops throughout Indonesia and the Asia region.