Pederson, Nancy Katharine (86) died unexpectedly on Sunday evening, May 14, 2023, at TowerLight in St. Louis Park. Preceded in death by parents Katharine (Heiskell) and Wade Koons and brother Charles Koons (Nelle). Survived by her husband Bruce, their two children M. Noah Pederson (Alexandre Lock) and Sarah (Patrick) Sandon; two grandchildren, Samuel (Julia) Sandon and Madelaine (Kyle) McGrath; three great grandchildren Kody and Mara (McGrath) and Caledon Sandon and other nieces, nephews, family and friends. Nancy was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Nancy's interest in music developed early and was continuous throughout her life. At St. Olaf College Nancy majored in church music and organ and graduated with a bachelor-of-music degree in 1958 and then served as an organist and/or choir director for the next fourteen years (except for serving one year as assistant to the dean of women at St. Olaf). She was founder and developer of the Suzuki piano program at the MacPhail Center for Music from 1977 until 1993, where she was also assistant division head for the growing MacPhail Suzuki Program. Nancy was among the first to have success with the Suzuki approach to piano teaching in the United States. She designed a program of Parent Education which she taught to all parents entering the MacPhail Suzuki Program. In 1981 she became a registered teacher trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and provided teacher training in piano pedagogy at Suzuki institutes and workshops throughout the United States and Canada. She served on the faculties of three international conferences and was a presenter for two SAA national teachers conferences. She also served as piano coordinator for the 1996 National Conference. In 1992 she established an independent studio from which she continued to work with students, parents and teachers until her retirement in 2010 following a diagnosis of atypical Parkinson's. In addition to making the world a better place through her music and teaching, Nancy also cared very much about the environment and supported many organizations dedicated to causes focused on justice. She had passions for reading, gardening, and hosting gatherings for family and friends. She organized and supported a group of friends who sang on a regular basis for over thirty years and frequently performed at churches and other community events. A Celebration of Life in Christ Service will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 2315 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404 on Saturday, July 22 at 11:00 A.M, with visitation of the family beginning at 10:00 A.M. The service will be followed by lunch at Our Saviour's and for a committal service and inurnment at the Columbarium at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park. A link for the service will be available on the Our Saviour's Lutheran website, Minneapolis, MN 55404 and available on You Tube following the service. The family would like to thank the many extended family, friends, physicians, nurses and the staff at TowerLight Assisted Living and Level Mountain Home Care who provided so much care and support to Nancy. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the Bjork/Pederson Scholarship Fund at the MacPhail Center for the Music, 501 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401 (Contact person is Lisa Salzl, 612-767-5327), or the donor's choice. Neptune Society - Golden Valley, MN