If you’ve had any exposure to the music education world, chances are you’ve heard something about the Suzuki Method. This method, pioneered by Shinichi Suzuki, has been both deified and vilified. Perhaps you read the article by Mark O’Connor a few years ago calling the man and the whole method a fraud. Perhaps you’ve heard that […]
Engagement
5 Things I’m Loving This Week: Violin Teaching Ideas May 6, 2016
Here’s this week’s round-up of violin teaching ideas! 1. If you want to build and strengthen your studio community, then this tip from composecreate.com is just for you! Having the students write down a compliment for all the students in the recital would be a great way to encourage active listening, and boost morale! 2. […]
A Mother’s Day Composition Activity for Your Violin Students
If you’re anything like me, you like the idea of teaching your violin students composition, or at least encouraging them to compose on their own, but you’re sometimes unsure of where to start. This printable Mother’s Day Composition Activity (for violin students, or other treble clef instruments) is perfect for beginning to intermediate readers. The […]
5 Things I’m Loving This Week April 22, 2016
Five Helpful Resources for Suzuki Violin Teachers… 1. Coloring is all the rage these days, ride the trend by offering sharing this resource of 62 Music Themed Coloring Pages with your students. 2. There are some really great practice charts on this site, including a super cute pdf explaining the form of twinkle using a […]
Suzuki Parents and Suzuki Teachers: Finding The Courage to Communicate
A few weeks ago, I published a blog post titled “Help! My Suzuki Teacher Won’t Let Me Move to the Next Piece.” In it, I detailed why Suzuki teachers may not move students through the repertoire as fast as the students (and their parents) would like. We want our students to be prepared for the […]
Are You Worried About Your Suzuki Violin Student’s “Bad Habits?”
How to Get Your Suzuki Violin Students to Accept Criticism… A few times a week I receive emails from Suzuki parents around the world responding to my question, “What is your biggest practicing struggle with your Suzuki violin students right now?” What do you think their answer is? Almost without exception, the responses are either, “How […]
Guest Post: Seven Fun and Interactive Musical Activities for Young Children
This post is the second in a series. To read Part I, click here! Guest Post by Sarah Fassman Sarah Fassmann is a mom of two, cellist, a piano teacher, an early childhood music teacher, and a new Suzuki violin parent. She loves hiking, canoeing, singing, and playing the piano without any children crying. Active […]
Guest Post: Active Music Making with Your Baby–It’s Fun!
Active Music-Making with Your Baby Part I: Interaction Through Song By Sarah Fassmann Sarah Fassmann is a mom of two, cellist, a piano teacher, an early childhood music teacher, and a new Suzuki violin parent. She loves hiking, canoeing, singing, and playing the piano without any children crying. If you have a young baby or […]
5 Things I’m Loving This Week– March 18, 2016
This week was the week of our big move, and we are finally getting settled in our new place (which happens to be my parents’ basement.) I am so excited to be here, though I am sad to leave my beautiful studio in my old house. We’ll be back in a couple years after Bruce […]
Five Things I’m Loving This Week–March 11, 2016
This week, I wrote my first-ever guest post. I would love for you to check it out. It’s called, “The Top Seven Things Your Suzuki Teacher Wishes You Knew,” it’s published over on the Lovenotes Suzuki Parent Blog. Check it out, and let me know what you think about it in the comments there. I’d […]