Small Steps Class: Suzuki Early Childhood Music Education

Shinichi Suzuki dedicated his life to educating children through music. But he also spoke very strongly about not only the importance of educating the whole child, but educating the BABY.

Ability Development from Age ZERO. 

He believed even still that not only should music education start 9 months before the birth of the baby, but 9 months before the birth of the mother. What stemmed from this belief in the Suzuki world is the Suzuki Early Childhood Education program designed for Parents, Babies and Toddlers.

NOW, ideas such as prenatal listening and early childhood education programs are everywhere. But Suzuki programs offer something unique to parents and babies and that is a philosophy rooted in the understanding that Every Child Can Learn, Ability Develops Early and Environment Nurtures Growth.

Suzuki programs use a set curriculum. There is only ONE CD to purchase at the time of registration which allows for thorough mastery of the pieces and the greater chance for a multitude of skills to be acquired. We know that children learn a lot from one another, from those of the same age and especially of those older and younger then themselves. As Suzuki educators, we also recognize that ability from birth happens in small steps and that this ability will flourish when the child is ready through parental involvement and constant encouragement.

I am reaching out to all of you to ask that you not forget about the babies. Maybe you know of a new family or a baby on the way. Tell them about this class. It is a wonderful support system for new parents, not to mention an incredible way for young babies to learn to self-regulate and find calm in listening to music. CALM to new parents is an incredible gift!

REMEMBER, this class is not just about teaching babies and toddlers about music. Musical ability is secondary to the skills being learned. This class uses music to teach fundamental life skills that all children will need to enter preschool, elementary school, instrumental music lessons, and essentially life.

Don't know of anyone to refer to the class? That's okay! But please help me spread the word and LIKE my page on Facebook HERE!

Congratulations Performers!

I had a great time at our Valentine's Recital! Special thank you to our accompanists who put in a lot of time to learn all our pieces and to the two volunteers who helped out at the raffle table. All your work is greatly appreciated.

All of the performances were wonderfully prepared with dynamics, accuracy, intonation, tone and a joy of playing. Congratulations!

Thank you for all of your continued support in Amy's Violin School. A little bit of fundraising and coming together as a community can really do a lot to provide opportunities, experiences and motivation. And that is really what this fund is for, to benefit all of you, and I just love that we can do it in the way that celebrates the friendships and acquaintances that we all have made through this musical community.

You will receive your candy grams in lesson this week!

Two Reminders:

The next Group Class is Tuesday February 23rd

Fiddle Registration is due this Saturday February 13th

February 7th Recital: Valentine's Fundraising!

Candy Grams are HERE!

Send a treat to a friend in group class! 

$1 each or 6/$5.

Candy grams will be available to purchase in lesson this week, at group class on Tuesday February 2nd (also our mandatory rehearsal) as well as at 1:30 on Recital Day, February 7th, and at the short intermission.

Also available to win at the recital:

Tuition to any Fall, Winter or Summer Fiddle Class
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TWO Practicing Essentials Baskets

 A 'Count How Many' Contest



Pick up your 2016 Fundraising Report in Lesson!

On another note, thank you to my students and family who came out to support Celtic Shift yesterday! It was a blast seeing you all in the audience!

Why is the bottom of the bow called the frog?

The Magic of Group Class: there is silence as the piano introduction starts. This isn't always the case, but there are moments when the noise stops and we listen and focus together. A small group works together to review a technical piece and the attention from the little ones is incredible. It was a powerful moment to look out and see eyes and ears supporting and listening to their peers play and to acknowledge their efforts.

Our Violin Facts quiz inspired some interesting thoughts: Why is the bottom of the bow called the frog?

My research concludes that there isn't a for sure answer but I did come across an interesting website. Check this out!

I was impressed with everyone's ideas as to what are the most important things about performing.

The 4 top important things about performing were: 

HAVE FUN

TRY YOUR BEST

THINK/FOCUS 

and LISTEN

My list from most important to NOT important:

BREATHE (focused breathing is key!)

HAVE FUN / SMILE

TRY YOUR BEST / THINK-FOCUS

LISTEN (open up your ears to yourself and your accompaniment)

POSTURE / TAKE YOUR TIME

AUDIENCE (some of us find confidence in being in front of a crowd, others find power in playing for loved ones)

and the NOT IMPORTANT

BE PERFECT

PLAY MISTAKE FREE

Some of us love to perform and for some of us it takes a little bit more will power to get up on that stage. Whatever you do, breathe and just play. Play for yourself, play for your friends and family, play because we love to play!

Celtic Shift & Enchante at LMC on January 31st

Mark your calendars for this incredible afternoon event on January 31st at 2:30! 

Celtic Shift & Enchante collaborate at the London Music Club. 

I hope to see lots of you there for a great afternoon of music!

Parent Education Night

Parent Education Night is postponed from next Tuesday January 19th to March 1st.

The reason for this change is to give us time to sign up for the SAA's Parents as Partners Event. Starting January 25th for only $10, you will receive weekly videos through e-mail on Suzuki topics such as getting 3 year olds to practice, the importance of listening and review and lots of Suzuki Philosophy from incredible speakers. In just a few minutes you'll find inspiration and new ideas from the comfort of home. Sign-up sheet will be available in lesson and group class.

On March 1st, we will discuss some of the topics brought up in the videos. Stay tuned and bring your questions and ideas!

How Many Days Can You Play?

It's another New Year. Each year is getting a bit shorter than the last. I'm not one for setting resolutions, but this year for me is a focus on everyday goals. Even though planning for the future and setting long term goals is important to make sure we are on the right path, it can also be extremely overwhelming and before we know it the year is gone and we've spent it worrying about what might be instead of appreciating all the amazing things that can happen everyday. Things in the long run always have a way of working themselves out so by focusing on the individual day we can be more mindful as to how we are spending our time.

So make your to-do list for today. This is a list of the things that we know we should do, that we want to do, but we set aside because we tell ourselves there are more important things and that the things we want for ourselves can wait. Don't wait, start them now and make your list. Keep it small, keep it manageable, but keep it important and realistic.

Help your children to set these small accomplishments for the day. For them it could be responsibilities from putting their breakfast dishes in the dishwasher, to starting their homework without being asked, to picking up their violins and playing through their review independently before they practice with mom or dad. Maybe it's scheduling in time for other things they love like reading a book, colouring or playing catch. There IS actually time in the day to get everything done if we can realistically look at what is important, what we want in the long run and what can we do today to nurture where we want to be and who we want our children to become.

Not sure what to put on your list? Well I've got the first one set for you and your child:

Play/Practice EVERYDAY for 100 Days!

When we ALL complete the challenge, we'll get to record our progress on this banner for all to see! Check it out next week in group class, but get playing today!

As Shinichi Suzuki would say, "You should only practice on the days you eat". Put playing the violin on the list. There are no time requirements, only the action of picking up the violin and playing everyday which will hopefully lead to a successful practice session. You can all do it! Start small, keep it manageable, keep it realistic and keep it important. What else will you accomplish today? Happy Practicing!

Thanks to everyone who braved the snow tonight to make it to group class.

Drive safe through what will hopefully be a nice short winter.