As a Suzuki cello teacher, there are a few core tenets that are essential to my teaching: the “mother tongue” method of learning by ear, parental involvement, and the concept of “mastery.”

 

I like to focus on learning songs by ear and by heart in the beginning, well before we learn how to read music, especially for younger students. Having a strong connection between the ear, body and voice is essential before trying to relate that to written music, and will result in a more intuitive and deeply ingrained learning process.

For students under the age of 8, I require parents to be involved in both lessons and practicing. This is a core tenet of the Suzuki philosophy, but it’s especially important for younger students who need that structure to practice effectively and make good progress. It will also be a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your child, and a great education for you, the parent!

 

An important part of Suzuki philosophy is the concept of “mastery.” Rather than pushing through new concepts and songs on a preconceived schedule, I like to take the time needed for each new idea and song, so that they are fully “mastered” before we move on to the next. Learning an instrument is kind of like building a tall building, and we have to make sure the foundation is solid before we move on to the next level. I don’t expect a certain pace from any student, and I would encourage you, the parent, to be open to whatever pace your child is learning at. It might be slower than you expect, especially for very young children, but trust the process! It works.

 

I don’t ask all my students to be equally serious about the instrument, but some amount of daily practice is a must. I usually recommend practicing at least the length of the lesson 5 out of 7 days a week. This gives you one day off plus one lesson day. Music requires a strong work ethic over time, an organized and disciplined mind, and a strong attention span. These skills will not only help them learn music better, but they will help your child’s overall growth as a person, especially in today’s overly stimulated environment.

 

I focus on sound technique and relaxed playing. I have some basic principles about holding the bow and cello, and positioning the left hand, but in general the most important thing is finding a way of playing that works best for each student, and that will look a little different for everyone. 

 

My teaching centers on the Suzuki repertoire and the standard classical cello repertoire, with supplementary technique work drawn from many contemporary and historical cello pedagogues. However, I’m happy to incorporate popular music and non-Western music where applicable, or if the family or student is interested. If you have a song you want to try to learn, just talk to me!