Charlotte Van Ryswyk began playing violin in Kansas public schools in the fourth grade. She has taught strings in the Claremont Unified School District since 1995 and has eleven years of experience with children's choirs. In addition, she founded of Vista del Valle Elementary String Orchestra in 2003.

    Mrs. Van Ryswyk has a B.A. in music from Carleton College (Northfield, Minnesota) and a Masters of Music from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, she has completed Level I training in Orff-Schulwerk at Chapman University.

    For pleasure, she plays viola with the Claremont Concert Orchestra at Scripps College as well as in various chamber groups.  In addition, she composes and arranges music for string trios and quartets as well as student orchestras.