One of my many character flaws, is that I, when faced with a difficulty, will often put off creating a solution in the hope that the problem I’m facing will just…disappear. One of these difficulties is one you’re probably facing right now as well–online teaching due to Coronavirus. There was (and still is, to be […]
For Suzuki Violin Teachers
How to Address Difficult Situations with Students…
I’m going to make a guess that if you’re reading this blog post, that you are, or have been, in a situation where you need to discuss something sensitive with a parent or student in your music studio. Maybe you’ve been meaning to have the conversation for a long time, and you’ve finally decided it’s […]
Setting Boundaries in Your Suzuki Studio
As the beginning of school approaches, I like to take some time to reflect on what’s working and what isn’t in my Suzuki violin studio. I love the magic of a new start, and the beginning of fall is my favorite time of year. It’s important to me to set myself up well at the […]
Online Teaching: What’s Working, What’s Not…
It’s been about six weeks since all of my violin teaching has moved online. Like so many others, I have had to learn a lot very quickly. In many ways, it has gone really well. I get to see all of my favorite little violinists every week! They are all making progress. If I had […]
Helping Students Handle Disappointment Over Cancelled Musical Events
As an extrovert, I live for opportunities to interact with my students, friends, and colleagues. Attending summer institutes each summer is one of the highlights of my entire year. This year I was planning to take my 7 year old violinist for his second time, and my five year old cellist for his first time. […]
Suzuki for Teen and Adult Beginners
When I started Suzuki teacher training, most of the training was focused on very young beginners. My incredible teacher trainers gave me so much information that was applicable to any age, but it took me some trial and error to tailor it to an older beginner. I really believe that the Suzuki teaching philosophy applies […]
Supporting Studio Parents in Home Practice
Now that I have a couple years of Suzuki parenting behind me, and two children in lessons, I’ve spent some time reflecting on how my children’s teachers have supported me as the practice parent and what I can do to better support the parents in my studio. As a teacher, I sometimes forget that the […]
Should You Let Your Suzuki Student Switch Instruments?
You may be surprised by my answer, and not long ago, I would have been too. I would have said, “Absolutely not. I will not let my children switch instruments.” My reasons for this stance were good. And to some extent, I stand behind them still. I didn’t (and still don’t) want my children to […]
Why I Love Teaching Teen Beginners…
I spent my first few years as a Suzuki violin teacher wishing and wishing for younger students. I wanted to be a real Suzuki teacher and real Suzuki teachers had really young beginners. I was actually disappointed when I got a beginning student that was 11 or older because I thought they were taking space […]
A Music Teacher Like Mr. Rogers
As a child, I loved Mr. Rogers and my childhood violin teacher for the same two reasons. 1) They were consistently kind. 2) They treated me with respect. As a child, I was constantly annoyed with adults who seemed to treat me with less respect and attention than they would other adults. To my childhood […]