Teaching Philosophy

Every child can learn an instrument

As Dr. Suzuki reminded the world, every child learns to speak his own language with fluency and ease. With loving help from parents, a good teacher, and a rich musical environment, every child can also become a fine musician.

Parental Involvement

In order for the young child to learn and make progress, it is important for the parent to carefully observe the lessons, help the child practice, provide encouragement, and promote a musical environment at home.

Learning by ear

Suzuki’s great idea was that young children could learn to play an instrument as easily as they learn to speak their native language, and the same way—by hearing it all the time. Take your students to local symphony concerts and other musical performances. Play CDs of violin and orchestral music daily in your home. Students will learn best in an environment in which they hear music all the time. They will develop an ear for pitch, beautiful tone, and nuances of expression. They will learn to produce, and to love, beautiful music.

Practice

• Repetition and memorization. Daily practice is essential to learning to play an instrument. Skill is “knowledge plus ten thousand times.” –S. Suzuki. “To practice is to make something easy.” –R. Cole
• Review. Review builds your new skills. Review allows students to gain new levels of mastery and fluency with basic techniques, providing a solid foundation for the organic development of more advanced skills and musicianship.

Character building

Studying an instrument is not just about picking up technical skills. Along the way, students will be learning invaluable character qualities such as persistence, patience, humility, confidence, calm under pressure, love, and much more. It is also my hope that they gain a passion for great music.