I have a private Suzuki Method Studio here in
Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
My program is rather small, around 20 students, which allows
me
to keep alive my research on the development of materials for the
Suzuki Guitar Method, but also allows me time to practice my
instrument. The short bio on my Home page discusses my
involvement with the Suzuki Method.
I
travel nationally and internationally working with students of all
ages, from young children to collegiate students. I also
train
teachers in the Suzuki Method, as well as parents of young Suzuki
students. The following links are resources for teachers,
parents, and anyone interested in the Suzuki Method. This
information is a
response to the many requests I get for the teaching materials I have
developed for use in my program. Some of these are free, and
some
are publications that can be ordered through a link provided to a
distributor.
The Suzuki Philosophy
The Suzuki Method involves the student, teacher and parent in a
disciplined, yet enjoyable cooperative effort that represents a
wonderful investment a child's future. While Suzuki students
learn to play their instruments remarkably well and develop a lifelong
appreciation of music, the primary goal of the Suzuki Method is one of
developing the whole child. Suzuki students develop
concentration
skills, artistic sensitivity, poise and self confidence, discipline,
social skills, and a strong sense of self worth. These
experiences of success transfer into many other areas of the child's
life. Suzuki parents develop a better understanding of their
children and themselves through a commitment to daily spend quality
time practicing with their child. The Suzuki Method
emphasizes
fostering a healthy parent-child relationship.
The Suzuki Methodology
Parents attend an initial required parent class that gives them all the
information they need to get started. After the class is
completed, the parent attends two lessons per week with the child - a
private lesson, and a group lesson. The group lesson is a
required part of the program and is not optional. Children
who
are not yet ready to take private instruction are encouraged to attend
just the group class. Both parents are invited to attend the lessons,
but one parent takes primary responsibility for attending the lessons
and practicing with the child at home - this is not a “shared”
responsibility between the parents. Parents can learn how to
play
the guitar along with their child if they would like.
In addition to practicing with the child at home, the other main
responsibility of the parent is to play a listening CD of the music the
child is to learn. This approach is referred to as the
“mother
tongue” method of learning. The essence of the Suzuki
methodology
is one of modeling the learning environment after the way children
naturally learn to speak their own native language.
More About My Studio
If you are interested in learning more about my Suzuki Studio, you can
contact me via the “Contact” link on this website. The first
step
in getting involved with the Suzuki Method is to come and observe both
group and private instruction.
