The Suzuki Method was created by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki who made a connection to speaking a native language and learning music- a method he called the “mother tongue approach”. The ideas of parent involvement, encouragement, lots of repetition, listening, and peer interaction are all special features of the Suzuki approach.

My studio includes the following:

-Parent involvement: parents are encouraged to attend lessons in order to become the “at home” teacher.

-Group lessons: Students learn so much from their peers on many different levels. Students are grouped based on their levels and meet once a month to play and make music together.

-Review: Students do not learn a song and never come back to it again. Reviewing is a great way to add a new skill by applying it to something we have already accomplished.

-Recitals: Performance is also a wonderful skill that every young musician learns. It isn’t always in the form of a recital, but I will be holding seasonal recitals: Spring, Summer/Fall, and Winter recitals.

-Positive learning environment: It is extremely important that every student feels valued and encouraged. Learning a musical instrument is hard at any age. Although expectations are still high, every student grows in a positive and supportive way through language, feedback, and creativity.

-Listening assignments: Students are expected to listen to their music. When we know what something is supposed to sound like, the learning process happens smoothly. Our ears must also be developed.

-Repetition: Not only do children thrive with repetition, but its also how we get better at a skill. I always assign specific activities with a number of times it needs to be practiced. Dr. Suzuki said that talent is working on a skill 10,000 times. When we focus on the areas we want to grow, that’s how we get better!

More information can be found here: About the Suzuki Method