Teaching Philosophy
A Child-Centered Approach
I began Suzuki Violin at the age of five with my dad as my practice partner. My favorite and most vivid memories are the practice sessions where he made practicing into a game. My teaching approach is child-focused and I use games and movement activities to keep students engaged with the learning process. When you are laughing and having fun, you are learning more deeply.
Although I was classically trained, I mostly perform in non-classical settings, from tango, salsa, and jazz to progressive rock, popular, and folk music. The Suzuki Method is at the heart of my teaching, but I incorporate non-classical styles into my approach. Whether it's improvisation, playing Suzuki pieces with a jazz trio, practicing 3-octave scales with a disco backing track, or plugging in to effects pedals, my students enjoy a fresh approach to learning classical violin.
The Suzuki APPROACH
Every Child Can Learn
More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach.
Parent Involvement
"Where love is deep, much can be accomplished."
- Shinichi Suzuki
As when a child learns to talk, parents are involved in the musical learning of their child. They attend lessons with the child and serve as “home teachers” during the week. One parent often learns to play before the child, so that s/he understands what the child is expected to do. Parents work with the teacher to create an enjoyable learning environment.
Early Beginning
The early years are crucial for developing mental processes and muscle coordination. Listening to music should begin at birth; formal training may begin at age three or four, but it is never too late to begin.
Listening
Children learn words after hearing them spoken hundreds of times by others. Listening to music every day is important, especially listening to pieces in the Suzuki repertoire so the child knows them immediately.
Repetition
Constant repetition is essential in learning to play an instrument. Children do not learn a word or piece of music and then discard it. They add it to their vocabulary or repertoire, gradually using it in new and more sophisticated ways.
Encouragement
As with language, the child’s effort to learn an instrument should be met with sincere praise and encouragement. Each child learns at his/her own rate, building on small steps so that each one can be mastered. Children are also encouraged to support each other’s efforts, fostering an attitude of generosity and cooperation.
Learning with Other Children
In addition to private lessons, children participate in regular group lessons and performance at which they learn from and are motivated by each other.
Graded Repertoire
Children do not practice exercises to learn to talk, but use language for its natural purpose of communication and self-expression. Pieces in the Suzuki repertoire are designed to present technical problems to be learned in the context of the music rather than through dry technical exercises.
Delayed Reading
Children learn to read after their ability to talk has been well established. in the same way, children should develop basic technical competence on their instruments before being taught to read music. Contrary to popular belief, Suzuki students DO learn to read music and become excellent ensemble musicians. The reading is delayed until the foundations of the instrument (posture, tone, balance, intonation) have been firmly established.