Character First...

What is character?

Decisiveness, integrity, concentration, sincerity, adaptability, ambition, patience, truth, courage, energy, enthusiasm, discipline, self-control, confidence, respect, perseverance, promptness, persistence, consistency, endurance, determination, thoroughness, initiative, compassion, contentment... 

The past few weeks we have been talking about character in lessons. The development of character is the foundation of Shinichi Suzuki's method of teaching violin.

"Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. They get a beautiful heart." - Shinichi Suzuki

Character is developed in many ways...

By showing up to lessons on time - promptness, respect
Entering lesson and group classes quietly - respect, self-control
Choosing to practice everyday at home - decisiveness, consistency
Completing repetitions of a practice spot - concentration, persistence, thoroughness
Performing at a recital - confidence, determination
Listening and waiting to play at group class or a recital - patience, respect, self-control
Helping out a peer in lessons or group class - sincerity, compassion
Bringing into lesson questions about practice/the violin - initiative
Being able to play any review piece well - contentment, confidence

These are only a few examples.

Lets continue to model and encourage all of these character traits to children of all ages.

Character is something that is formed by the choices that we make in our everyday lives. Help children to make healthy choices so that we may nurture the development of their character and they may grow up to be fine human beings.

Please check out the poll to the right of this post about the music theory class. Take two seconds to let me know why you did not sign your child up for the theory class so I can better make decisions about running additional classes in the future. Thank you!    ---------------------------------->

Play Challenge Extra Point #2 and Happy Thanksgiving!

Some of you by now have seen the Extra Point #2 Challenge written on my board in lesson. We are on week #4 of the play challenge and you have until week #6 to complete the extra point challenge. 

Since the start of lessons in September, there has been a Suzuki Quote in the top right corner of my board. What was the quote?

Hint: "________ ________ , _________ second."

Not sure? This is a well known Suzuki quote and one that we should all be reminded of as to what makes the Suzuki method such a wonderful education for children. Look up quotes by Shinichi Suzuki and see if you can figure it out!

I have been impressed by everyone's participation in the play challenge. Please take the opportunity over the holiday weekend to play for family members and show off all the hard work everyone has been doing in just picking their violins up everyday and playing! I hope everyone is starting the see the difference between a well played and practiced week versus the outcome of a week when the days just seem to get away from you and the violin doesn't get played. Lets all keep trying to work towards setting lifelong learning habits for children. 

Sunday October 27th Recital 2:00 or 3:30 (with reception!)
If you have not already signed up for a recital time, please do so on the sign up sheet in lesson or send me an e-mail. Try and keep the times even, otherwise I will have to move performers to different times.

Shinichi Suzuki Books!
Here is a link to the new Nurtured by Love book written by Shinichi Suzuki. If you haven't already read this book I do highly recommend it to Suzuki parents. It puts you in the mindset of Suzuki and you really get the feel for what he wanted to accomplish through the early musical education of children. It will leave a lasting impression and will be a book you will want to come back to again and again. 

Other books I recommend are Ability Development from Age Zero also by Suzuki and To Learn with Love by William (Bill) Starr. Look for these books in the public library system as well. Ask me for additional recommendations if you really wish to broaden you knowledge of the Suzuki method!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Clarification, Reminder and a Fiddle Concert!

Last call for Theory Class sign-up:

Please hand in your registration now! Class starts Wednesday October 2nd from 6:00-7:00. Take advantage of this opportunity to help master music theory skills (ex. note naming, note values, rhythms, key/time signatures, composition and improvisation!)

Clarification to the Lesson Etiquette handout:

When I talk about technology being forbidden in lessons, group class and especially recitals, this is expected because all of your attention should be on your child and the other children participating. However, if you are using an electronic device to either video or take pictures this is of course allowed because it is involving your child. 

Fiddle Concert with Ashley MacIsaac:

Ashley MacIsaac is playing at Aeolian Hall on Saturday October 26th at 8:00. If you are interested in fiddle music you should definitely check out this concert. Being a Nova Scotian born fiddler and representing the Cape Breton Scottish Fiddling techniques and traditions, Ashley MacIsaac has made a name for himself through his rock inspired variations on traditional tunes. Click HERE for details!

Practice Motivators, Repetition Games and How Daily Practice Can Make Your Life Easier!

Good luck everyone as we begin our first weeks of the Play Challenge!

All of the practice motivators and repetition games I am providing here are listed on my website www.amysviolinschool.com under the resources. Use the internet to search for even more ways to motivate practice at home!

Put on performances - for family members, stuffed animals, over skype or even record yourself playing!

Parade - parade around the house playing the twinkle variations, review songs or even newer pieces to test your abilities!

10x Challenge - complete a practice spot 10x in a row without any mistakes. Make a mistake and start over at 1. Watch how the spot gets easier and easier!

Play in different rooms around the house - does the sound of your violin change at all?

Take a step - play a practice chunk well and take a step forward (to a desired destination). Take a step back if played poorly.

6 things a day - pick 6 things everyday to do with the violin. Write them down with your child and check them off as you go. Make them small and concise.

Practice Candle - burn a candle every time you start to practice. Watch as it gets smaller and smaller each time you practice (the candles with little prizes inside can be fun!)

Beads! - string beads together for every repetition or task completed in practice!

Lego! - stick lego pieces together for every repetition or task completed in practice!

Puzzles - put puzzle pieces together for each repetition

Monopoly money - parent and child get same amount of money. If child plays well, they get to steal one piece of parents money. If they play poorly, parent gets to take one piece of child's money. Watch how your child is determined to not let you win all the money!

Why is it so important and expected in the Suzuki method to practice everyday?

Children feel comfort and stability in having a schedule and a routine. They know what to expect and what is expected of them and this makes them feel secure and confident. Having schedules in your family instills healthy lifestyle habits that will carry on into adulthood and establish a sense of responsibility early. It's all about providing the best education, experiences and learning environment for children.

By playing everyday, power struggles can be eliminated because the expectation has been developed. In turn, stress on your part can be reduced and you and your child will get better at practice because you do it so regularly. Your practice sessions will become more concise (shorter in fact!) because there will be no more trying to remember what teacher said at lesson which was two days earlier and you can get straight to the point. 

Practice is all about quality and not quantity. 10 minutes of focused practice can replace 20 minutes of unfocused practiced. Use practice motivators and games to capture the focus of your child. Practice daily so that you may learn to practice more efficiently, and therefore save more time in your busy lives for other things. 

Sound too good to be true? You can all do it! Call me anytime to discuss daily practice in your home!

Phase One: Suzuki Music Class - New Class Times!

The Phase One: Suzuki Music Class for Babies, Toddlers and Parents now has two available class times in North London!

Wednesdays from 9:30-10:30

&

Saturdays from 9:00-10:00

(times subject to change depending on class size)

In our Phase One: Baby and Toddler class, music is used as a vehicle to develop character in each and every child. This is possible through our belief that every child can learn and that every child has unlimited potential. 

Through the use of lullabies, action songs and rhymes, our one hour class develops numeracy, speech and literacy skills, as well as sharing, sensitivity, discipline, fine motor skills, confidence, and a strong bond between parent and child.

These skills will blossom through:
 - the constant nourishment of a positive environment provided by the parent in the home and the teacher during class
 - the observation and interaction of other children
 - encouragement from parents and teachers, 
  - and by allowing children to develop ability and success without pressure so that the learning process is done so with love and joy. 

Phase one is not just a music class. It is an opportunity to provide children with fundamental skills they will use in preschool, grade school, instrumental music lessons and essentially life.

Call NOW to reserve your spot!

226-234-6836

519-858-0547

amylewis5355@gmail.com

Visit www.suzukiece.com for more information.

Your 2013-2014 Violin Lesson Updates!

As much as I have enjoyed my summer as I hope all of you have as well, I am so excited to see everyone on a regular basis again and get working on some new stuff this year!

Can you spot the piper? 

Here are the updates for your 2013-2014 year of Violin Lessons! 

The first lessons and group classes start Monday September 9th! Please call or e-mail me to confirm your lesson time if needed.

Violin Lesson Parking:
As previously stated, there are two designated spots to park at my place; spot #64 and to the right of #64 which is in front of the gate to my unit. DO NOT PARK IN ANY OTHER NUMBERED OR VISITOR SPOT, even if there are many other spots available.  If these spots are for some reason not available, you will have to park outside the complex on Savannah Road and walk into the complex. Thank you so much for your understanding in this matter and please tell me immediately of any parking issues.

Suzuki Baby/Toddler Music Class:
Wednesday Mornings 9:30-10:30

Calling all parents, babies and toddlers! Please tell your family members and friends about this class. Not only does it develop musical skills but recent research shows that babies in this class smile more, are easier to calm, show earlier communication skills and an adaptability toward new things. Do not wait to enroll! Please provide the best education for your child from age zero.

Fall Theory Class:
Wednesday Evening 6:00-7:00 October 2nd - November 27th
This is a mixed ages class, however, you must be playing May Song or higher to enroll. We will continue to master skills such as note reading, where notes are on the violin, rhythm and note values, compositions and improvisations, key signatures, intervals and ear training. Check your calendars and let your teacher know if you are interested. Registration and fees will be given out in early September.

Fiddle Play-in:

I am in the process of developing an all ages fiddle play-in. Please let me know if you are interested. I will get this exciting event up and running as soon as I can, but want to guarantee its success. So please have patience. 

Calendars:
Please check the calendar on my website regularly as well as the hard copy you were given with your registration package. Please put all the recital, parent education and group class dates into your calendars so that you don't miss out on anything throughout the year. I do expect 100% attendance to all group classes and recitals and require an explanation if you cannot make it.

***Change to Calendar***:
There will be lessons the week of Halloween, October 28th - November 2nd. There will be no lessons the first week in the new year, January 6th - 11th. I will be in Mexico that week for my brother's wedding! If your lesson falls on Halloween day it is completely up to you if you'd like to come to your lesson. If not, we will make it up sometime throughout the year.

Play Challenge:
Starting in September there will be a Play Challenge in my studio! Basically, this is similar to the 100 chart, however, all I am asking for is that everyone plays their violins everyday! I'm still working out the details, and prizes, but the goal here is to start the school year off with good habits that will carry through to the rest of the year. Stay tuned.

As always, if there are ever any questions, I am available 24/7 through e-mail and you can call me anytime between 8:00 am - 9:00 pm at home or on my cell (you're best to try my home phone first). If you're unsure about something on your practice chart, ask me! If your violin needs tuning, arrange a time with me to tune it! Need some advice on getting your child to practice? Call me up to chat or send me an e-mail explaining your situation! I am here to do whatever I can to help you get the most out of making music an important part of your family's lifestyle.

Garden Show with Celtic Shift!

Celtic Shift Performances!

I'll be playing two shows this week at St. James Westminister Church (115 Askin Street) out in the garden on Tuesday June 18th and Wednesday June 19th both at 7:30 p.m. 

These are very casual performances (busking) as this is the last chance for the band to play together before our gigs in Nova Scotia in August (I'm so excited!). So if you have time to drop by and check out some music, you can stay for as little or as long as you'd like, I'd love to see you there!

Also, just to reiterate an e-mail that was sent out by Sharon earlier this week...

Check out the Every Child Can class being run on Monday June 24th from 9-4. 

This is a great class run by Dorothy Jones (Sharon's Mom), who is an incredible speaker on the Suzuki method and has so many wonderful stories about her first hand experience with Shinichi Suzuki, his teachings and his philosophy. If you have a day to spare and would like some more information on what exactly this method is, how it was developed and what makes it so different to other ways of teaching music, then consider attending this class. Call/e-mail me for more details if interested.

One more thing... We need more babies/toddlers to attend the Phase One music classes running Tuesday June 25th - Monday July 1st from 10-11. This is an incredible opportunity at a great price ($5/day!). Tell your friends!