The String Team
Violin, Viola, Cello: From preparing for chair auditions to playing for personal enjoyment, our team makes this often-intimidating
instrument family accessible for all ages and experience levels.
Meet the Team
Caroline Benton, violin & viola
Caroline is a graduate of Wright State University, where she studied with Dr. In-Hong Cha and Dr. Kevin Nordstrom. She was a member of the WSU Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, and she has been teaching violin and viola since 2024.
She also tutors music theory, music history, and aural skills at Sinclair University, and she is a board member of the Dayton Music Club. Caroline loves performing as a soloist and collaborating with other musicians in the Dayton area.
When not playing or teaching, she loves visiting coffee shops, reading, or attending concerts.
Stephen Gaynier, violin & music theory
Stephen is a graduate of Cedarville University where he studied music composition and technology. He teaches violin and music theory at Sand Dollar, and his love for learning (and motivation to keep practicing!) is contagious.
He has been teaching at Sand Dollar since 2025 and specializes in the Suzuki Method (coupled with "nerdy music theory").
His favorite thing about teaching is, "When you can see something click in a student's mind, and they realize that it's not as difficult as they thought it would be...and a whole lot more fun. "
Ellen Nettleton, cello
Ellen holds a Bachelor of Music in cello performance from Miami University and a Master of Music from Western Michigan University.
Her career has been colorful and varied, including numerous strings and performing arts camps and festivals, chamber music collaborations, and solo competitions, a 10-year tenure with Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, and 2 years performing with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, just to name a few.
As a private teacher, Ellen's philosophy is simple: the goal is not necessarily to produce professional musicians. Rather, to produce professional human beings who know how to work together, problem-solve, and use their creative skills in whatever field they pursue. Nothing gives her greater satisfaction than helping a student harness their unique abiliites.