Suzuki Cello Studio
Suzuki Philosophy
Seven Concepts
The Suzuki Philosophy can be explained in seven concepts:
Every child can learn
Ability develops early
Environment nurtures growth
Children learn from one another
Success breeds success
Parental involvement is critical
Encouragement is essential
Suzuki Triangle
The Suzuki Triangle is an important part of how this method works. Teacher, whānau and child work together. The community we surround the child in helps build a strong foundation and love for music.
Listening
Another important aspect of the Suzuki method of learning music is that tamariki listen to the music they are learning (and other music) everyday. This fine tunes the ear and allows the tamaiti to learn their repertoire with ease. Dr Suzuki noticed how easily children picked up their 'mother tongue', as so this is how we treat music.
How the Studio runs
The Cello Studio
Tamaiti are expected to attend a private lesson each week, group lessons (not weekly) and any concerts throughout the term.
There are wānanga, camps and workshops held throughout the year, and tamaiti are expected to attend when able.
Along with Ahna Jensen, Emma created the Charitable Trust, The Twinkle Foundation. It's a collective of Suzuki teachers in Aotearoa, New Zealand who teach an educational music programme for 0-3 year olds and their parents.
The Twinkle Foundation also provides low cost wānanga for Suzuki ECE whānau and young Suzuki instrumentalists.
About Emma
Emma began playing music at the age of 4. She attended Suzuki group lessons and private lessons on piano and violin. At 10 years old she decided to play the cello. During her secondary school years, she formed chamber groups and entered into the Westpac Schools Chamber Music Competition and in her final year at school, her group reached the National final. When she was 16 years old, she began teaching Suzuki Cello. Emma has completed all of her Suzuki Cello training. Currently, she has a studio of over 30 students ranging from 3 to 18 years old.
In 2009, Emma began her Suzuki Early Childhood Education training with Emma O'Keefe (Perth, Australia). Her Let's Twinkle Early Childhood programme started in June 2009. In September/October 2010, Emma was very privileged to study with Dorothy Jones, the founder of the Suzuki Early Childhood Education programme. She has now completed her ECE studies up to Stage 3 level.
Since her son was born in 2018, Emma, and other collaborators, have developed and offer free Early Childhood music class (Pūoru Kākano) in reo Māori for tamariki and their whānau. A space to reconnect to their whakapapa and reo through music and movement. Pūoru Kākano has been funded by Wellington Community Fund, Music Helps, Pelorus and Pub Charity.