Who was Shinichi Suzuki?

Educator, Violinist, Philosopher & Humanitarian

Shinichi Suzuki was struck by this simple observation – every child learns to speak their native tongue. He took the elements that go into learning a language and applied them to learning to play the violin. These elements include:

• Beginning early 
• Listening  
• Imitation 
• Repetition  
• Step by step mastery 
• Learning in a community
• Positive encouragement and active involvement from the parent
• Reading music after having control of the instrument

Suzuki believed that the main concern any parent should have for their children is to help them develop into noble human beings with beautiful hearts. He felt this could be accomplished by teaching music thru the mother tongue method.  It was his hope that we can nurture children to be better citizens to create more peace in the world.  For his work Suzuki was named a Living National Treasure by the Emperor of Japan and nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Components of a Suzuki program: 

• Observing 
• Parent education
• Active involvement of the parent
• Weekly individual lessons 
• Group classes
• Summer institutes 
• Daily listening to the Suzuki recordings
• Daily home practice
• Recitals
• Special Events (motivational speakers, outreach performances, practice parties)

Additional resources and information available at the Suzuki Association of the Americas website: www.suzukiassociation.org