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VOLUME 30, N0. 2, SUMMER 2019 www.suzukiontario.org
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“The Mission of the Suzuki Association of Ontario is to promote and support the Suzuki Method of learning by nurturing excellence in education”
CROSS-STUDIO EVENTS SEE PAGE 18-19
SEE PAGE 3 FOR FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEWSLETTERLetter from the Chair Summer is here, and I hope that you will have a chance to do some relaxing and recharging after the school year. When you start thinking about next year, please consider how you can connect with colleagues, and create opportunities for your students to feel a part of the larger Suzuki community.Mark your calendars for November 2 and 3, 2019! I hope to see you in Guelph at the SAO Conference. The Guelph Conference team is planning events for students and parents, including a session with Keynote presenter, Teri Einfeldt, that will be well worth the trip. Please let your students know about the Student Day (November 2), so that it is on their radar. We will send you updates about the Conference throughout the summer.The SAA Leadership Retreat was held this May in Ohio. The theme was ‘Paving Pathways for Success.” There were 156 registered participants at the retreat, including 13 Canadians. You can find an article in this newsletter about the Leadership Retreat on p.6. I was really glad to be able to attend the retreat again this year. There were a few sessions geared directly to SAA Chapter Affiliates, which I find to be really valuable, and also really interesting sessions.Along with the article about the Leadership Retreat, in this issue of the newsletter, you will find a thoughtful essay from Suzuki parent, Megumi Harada, as well as news from around the province.We have been working on the SAO website and membership renewal process. We are excited that we are ready to launch the renewal process for next year, and this year, if you renew early, you can access the membership fee rates from last year! Online payment is easy now, and you can update your own profile in the SAO website! People can still renew using a form and a cheque, look for more details about membership renewal on our website at: http://suzukiontario.org/membership-plan/.Hope to see you in November in Guelph, if not before!◆ Carmen Evans, Chair, Suzuki Association of Ontario
MEMBERSHIP 19-20 SEE PAGE 5
PRACTICE CHALLENGE!SEE PAGE 11
VOLUME 30, N0. 2, SUMMER 2019 www.suzukiontario.org
SAO Board DIRECTORS Chair: Carmen Evansp: 519-821-2890 e: [email protected]: Lenni Jaboure: [email protected]: Liz Biswas p: 519-500-6654 e: [email protected]: Kate Einarsonp: 289 921 9307 e: [email protected]: Debbie Hammond p: 343-540-8536 e: [email protected] Dimitra Marangozis p:905-237-2172 e: [email protected] New-Teacher-Member-at-Large: Myra Yeung e: [email protected]
AREA REPRESENTATIVES
416 Area: Elena Spanu p: 416-720-8178 e: [email protected] Area: Andrea Cook p: 519-823-9995 e: [email protected] East Area: Laura Nerenberg p: 613-274-3647 e: [email protected] West Area: Jodie Compeau e: [email protected] 905 South Area: Mary Burkep: 905-263-2808 e: [email protected] North Area: Susan Beth Barake: [email protected]
INSTRUMENT REPRESENTATIVES
Bass: Jesse Dietschi p: 647-823.-5736 e: [email protected] (acting): David Evenchickp: 519-803-6895 e: [email protected] Guitar:Joseph Fazakasp: 905-930-7102 e: [email protected]: Barbara Byczkop: 416-560-2717 e: [email protected] Viola: Pierre Gagnon p: 905-844-8718 e: [email protected] Violin: Joel Bootsmap: 613-779-7867 e: [email protected]
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SAO NEWSLETTERConsulting Editor: Carmen EvansArticles/Notices Send to the Editor:Fanny Martin [email protected] Art Director: Carmen Evans [email protected] Send to: [email protected] Cardigan St.Guelph ON N1H 3Z7DEADLINE for next edition:September 5, 2019500 word limit
VOLUME 30, N0. 2, SUMMER 2019 www.suzukiontario.org
Table of contents
SAO Board 2 ........................................................................................................................................
Table of contents 3 ...............................................................................................................................
Upcoming Teacher Development 4 .....................................................................................................
Membership 2019/2010: The Early Bird Gets The Discount! 5 ........................................................
Teachers’ Corner: The SAO Mind Hive 5 ............................................................................................
Would you consider joining the SAO Board? 6 ..................................................................................
Leadership retreat 6 ...........................................................................................................................
Suzuki as Spiritual Practice 7 .............................................................................................................
A Single Bracelet Does Not Jingle 10 ..................................................................................................
Area News 11 ........................................................................................................................................
519 Area Report (Andrea Cook) 11
613 East Area Report (Laura Nerenberg) 11
613 West Area Report (Jodie Compeau) 13
905 North Area Report (Susan Beth Barak) 14
905 South Report (Mary Burke) 16
Instrument Representatives Reports 17 ..............................................................................................
Bass Report (Jesse Dietschi) 17
Piano Report (Barbara Byczko) 17
Cross-Studio Events 18 ........................................................................................................................
Thank You Dr Suzuki Concert, March 30 18
Jazz Fiddle Workshop, March 31 18
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Upcoming Teacher Development Great Lakes Suzuki Flute Institute, GuelphEvery Child Can! Jul 5, 2019Flute Unit 1 Jul 6 – 13
Kelly WilliamsonFlute Unit 2-9 Jul 9 – 13
Noelle Perrin, Wendy Stern, Meret Bitticks
Institut Suzuki MontréalCello Unit 2 Jul 20 – 24 Sally GrossCello Unit 3 Jul 24 – 28 Sally GrossCello Unit 7 Jul 20 – 24 Susan GagnonCello Unit 8 Jul 24 – 28 Susan GagnonTeaching Strategies for Cello Jul 20 – 24 Sally GrossViolin Unit 2 Jul 20-24 Elayne RasViolin Unit 3 Jul 24 – 28 Elayne RasViolin Unit 6 Jul 20 – 24 Paule BarsalouViolin Unit 7 Jul 24 – 28 Paule BarsalouPiano Unit 2 Jul 20 – 24 Gail Lange
Piano Unit 3 Jul 24 – 28 Gail Lang
Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute, Waterloo Every Child Can! Aug 10, 2019 Margot JewellPiano Unit 4 Aug 10 – 14, 2019 Gail LangeViolin Unit 4 Aug 10 – 14, 2019 Paule BarsalouCello Overview Books 1–3 Aug 11 – 16, 2019 O’NeillPiano Unit 1 Aug 11 – 18, 2019 Nena LaMarreViolin Unit 1 Aug 11 – 16, 2019 Margot JewellViolin Unit 2 Aug 11 – 16, 2019 Joanne MelvinViolin Overview Books 6–8 Aug 11 – 16, 2019 Karen KimmettTeaching Strategies–concurrent with Unit 2 Violin Aug 12 – 16, 2019 Joanne MelvinPiano Practicum Aug 14 – 18, 2019 Gail LangeViolin Unit 5 Aug 14 – 18, 2019 Paule BarsalouBeyond Book 10, part 2 Aug 17 –18 Brian Lewis
For complete information about teacher development courses offered throughout Canada and the US this year, please go to: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/
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Membership 2019/2010: The Early Bird Gets The Discount!
There’s been a lot happening under the bonnet of the SAO website to make your membership renewal quick and easy! You can now register and pay online with your credit card or PayPal account. Membership levels are going up in 19/20 but if you renew before August 15 you will get this year’s prices.
18/19 (early bird) 19/20 (after August 15th)
Individual Teacher $55 $65
Group Teacher $45 $55
New Teacher $25 $25
Schools $130 $130
Subscribing Member $15 $15
You will receive an automated receipt upon registration and will be able to upload a photo and update your biography yourself. The new system will also make it much easier for your student families to join as a Subscribing Member, with a simple online form and payment.
Please note that for your profile to be displayed in the directory, you must click the box “Accept display on Memberlist”.
For any questions, email Fanny at [email protected]!
Teachers’ Corner: The SAO Mind Hive Summer is a great time to plan and reflect on our practice. Our Mind Hive question this season is one that we all love to discuss and develop, so we hope to hear many perspectives on this topic! Email your ideas and insights to [email protected] before 5 September.
« How do you incorporate parent education as an ongoing part of your studio? »
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Would you consider joining the SAO Board?
The SAO is an evolving and forward-thinking organisation of artists and educators from across Ontario. We are propelled by Dr. Suzuki’s vision and principles. The SAO's mission is to support the Suzuki community by nurturing excellence in education.
The Board of Directors will be seeking to fill several vacant positions in November 2019. Please consider standing for nomination or nominating a colleague to serve on the SAO Board. Suzuki parents, Suzuki alumni, and other interested members of our community would also be welcome to express interest.
Board Members volunteer our time in service to our members and to our Suzuki community across the province. As a Board Member, professional opportunities include shaping the future of our Chapter, communicating with colleagues, providing a sounding board for the ideas and activities of members, corresponding with the SAA as their largest chapter in Canada, receiving sponsored governance training, accessing special travel scholarships for conferences and retreats, and enjoying a bolstered professional profile. Becoming an SAO Board Member is also a significant personal accomplishment in the larger picture of our Suzuki community across the Americas.
Inquire about current openings by contacting Fanny, the SAO administrator, at [email protected]. If you have questions about what Board directorship entails, our Chair Carmen Evans [email protected] would be happy to answer questions.
“Don’t hurry, don’t rest. Without stopping, without haste, carefully taking one step at a time will surely get you there.” - Dr. Suzuki
Leadership retreat ◆ Susan Gagnon, Margot Jewell, Ellen Kogut, and Myra Yeung
The windshield wipers are swinging fast and the four of us are sitting in a toasty car, zipping along the highway as the rain falls hard. We’re on the way back to Canada after the 2019 SAA Leadership Retreat at the Deer Creek Conference Center outside of Columbus, Ohio. It’s been both an energizing and exhausting three days of talks, meetings, and breakout sessions, and we’ve spent lots of time reconnecting and building relationships with other members of the Suzuki teaching community.
We are mentally preparing for another week of teaching in our home programs in Oakville/Toronto, Etobicoke, and Montreal, and agree that we are coming back with renewed enthusiasm for our mission. The beauty of the woods, lake, and natural surroundings at Deer Creek felt refreshing after
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a busy spring term. Margot recalls two beautiful sunrises and fireflies at night; Ellen enjoyed chatting with colleagues by the fire the night before. We take turns reflecting on the fresh ideas we are taking away from the retreat.
“There were wonderful sessions by Canadian trainers on positive psychology [Elayne Ras] and wisdom [Alice-Ann O’Neil],” Susan says. She also appreciated cello sessions on using the fingerboard to teach theory and understand harmonic progressions. Susan adds that she enjoyed being reminded to engage the uncooperative three-year-old by talking through a finger puppet! She pops a pre-Twinkle CD called Soy Cellista into the player from a new colleague, Andrea Espinzo, of Argentina.
Margot shares that she has come away with some wonderful ideas for developing right- and left-hand violin technique. She spent much of her time at Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) sessions and was also deeply touched by sessions on creating space and cultivating mindfulness. “A teacher’s energy can profoundly influence the learning environment,” she says. Ellen is looking forward to trying out new spiccato and sautillé exercises with her students. An outreach presentation on intergenerational learning inspired her, and she gained insight from Winifred Crock’s talk on 21st century translations of Dr. Suzuki’s commonly quoted statements.
This was the first leadership retreat for Myra, who was happy to meet fellow violists from across the United States. She and Carmen Evans represented the Suzuki Association of Ontario in the chapter affiliate meeting and were inspired by the opportunity to share successes with other chapters. “I also enjoyed the viola brainstorming session for the next Conference,” Myra says. She also liked Fabio Dos Santos’ presentation on highlights from the Cancún Convention.
The rain turns to drizzle as we make our way through Pennsylvania, then New York State, and finally Ontario. We are looking forward to another week of teaching and upcoming summer plans, and ultimately reuniting with an even larger group of Suzuki teachers, parents, and students next May at the 2020 SAA Conference in Minneapolis.
Suzuki as Spiritual Practice ◆ Megumi Harada (Suzuki parent, Etobicoke School of Music)
Here’s a dirty secret about the Suzuki Method that the brochures and teachers don’t (always) tell us Suzuki parents. The Suzuki Method is not all love and fun and games. Children do not skip along, conflict- and tension-free, toward musical perfection. For every 1 minute of soaring parental pride at a successful recital, there will be hundreds of brutal, soul-sapping practice-minutes of temper tantrums and red-hot tears. Every Suzuki parent wonders, on a regular basis: Is this really worth it?
I’d like to suggest that the answer is Yes, but not for the reason that you might naively expect. Because, it turns out: it’s not really about music at all. What it’s actually about, is the daily spiritual practice of recognizing that your child – no matter how young – is a person entirely separate from
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and equal to you, living in a universe with a perspective, sensibility, and way of being, utterly his or her own. You must commit, every single dawning day, to communicate with this little but never the less who l l y human person, that the two of you shall work together – as equal partners – to arrive at a common place where true growth can take place, and take root.
It is unimaginably hard to do this. Your child is your baby, an extension of you, whose every gurgle as a newborn brought you near tears, whose very life has completely depended on you and your love for literally every moment of his or her life. So you feel, naturally, that your child therefore should look and feel as you do, should wish to please you by doing his or her best, and so on.
The cold, hard truth is that, at the deepest spiritual level, there is absolutely no “should”.
Just to be clear, I’m not talking about the “should”s that arise in everyday life, of the “You should make your bed” or “You should brush your teeth” variety. Daily Suzuki practice forces us to go much deeper, to the level of: “You should want to make a beautiful sound with your bow” or “You should feel where the (musical) phrase starts to soar”. And the fact is that, as far as your child is concerned, all that parental love has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with whether or not he or she actually wants to make a beautiful sound (or for that matter, any sound at all) at any given moment.
This is why the daily Suzuki practice, that time each day that you have set aside to be with your child to engage with music, turns out to be the most important part of your day, and of your parenthood as a whole. Because, for that time only, the gnawing distractions of your over-scheduled modern life melt away, and you are forced to humbly observe and to deeply accept – and never to deny – the fullness of your child’s humanity, and the complete range of emotions that come with it. Indeed, not just your child’s, but also your own: for we, too, are imperfect, so there will be days when you just can’t help but raise your voice, or utter unjust words, or resort to parental authority. On such days, the reaction of your child will immediately alert you that you have taken the wrong turn. Then it will be your job to pause, to admit that you may have been wrong, to tell your child so, and to apologize. And you must draw from the deepest wells of your compassion in those moments, compassion for both yourself and your child, because, in the end, both of you will respond with an open heart to love and love alone. And as we all know, music is never beautiful without an open heart.
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To repeat, this is hard work. That is why Suzuki is exactly this: a spiritual practice.
And – on some days – your child will, in the end, agree to try to get that F-sharp in tune. Miraculously.
Now imagine this. That some day in the distant future, when you are long gone from this world, your now-fully-grown daughter would know: this is what real love looks like, acts like, feels like. That she would say: Mom was right there with me, always; she looked me in the eye and she listened – year in and year out, day in and day out, for every single agonizing practice-minute; she felt what I felt; I felt what she felt; we often disagreed; neither of us were perfect; but we listened, and we were together.
This, it turns out, is why it is all worth it. This is the true and sacred value of a Suzuki childhood, and the noblest goal to which a Suzuki parent can aspire.
And if you succeed in this in your daily practice, then the music will, quite naturally, follow.
So in that same distant day, perhaps the touch of a violin, the weight of a cello against the knee, or the ring of his D string, would be a gentle lapping wave against the bedrock of your grown son’s unconsciousness, and without quite knowing why, a familiar melody would lighten his gait, and he would smile, and face life anew. Come what may, music will forever be his friend.
Dr. Suzuki may not have put it exactly this way, but I trust that he would approve.
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A Single Bracelet Does Not Jingle ◆ Silvija Abols
I am a sucker for a good proverb. I recently came across an African saying that struck a chord: “A single bracelet does not jingle.”
I think this proverb sums up what’s sometimes hard about being a Suzuki teacher, parent or student. Many teachers work in home studios and do not see their colleagues very often during the year. It can be very hard and lonely work to try to “jingle” for their students week after week. And what about busy, tired and often over-extended parents and students? Since they do not see other students and parents for more than an hour or two each week, practising can rapidly become a very lonely and “jingleless” affair, too.
We all need support to maintain our spark, our energy and our love for what we do day after day, and week after week.
A summer institute can be a great source of support that helps us throughout the year. It’s a chance to meet people who share the same passion for children, music and teaching. It’s also an opportunity to discuss common problems, setbacks and self-doubts that remind us we are not alone.
A summer institute is an intense week of community where like-minded “bracelets” can jingle together and make a glorious sound and create a powerful surge of inspiration and energy. Teachers can celebrate and commiserate together. Parents can compare notes about their Suzuki experience and brainstorm in a supportive environment. Students can meet other young people who think music is cool (and who have to practise everyday, too!) encouraging them to forge lifelong bonds with their instruments and their peers.
Dr. Suzuki wrote a book called “Nurtured by Love”. That beautiful philosophy includes finding ways to be “nurtured by each other”. Attending a summer institute is a perfect way to do that!
The Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute runs from August 10 to the 18 at Wilfrid Laurier University. Check out SOSI’s website at mysosi.ca.
If you want to know more, you can write to me, Silvija Abols, Piano Director at [email protected]. I look forward to seeing you this summer at SOSI!
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Area News
519 AREA REPORT (ANDREA COOK)
Practice Challenge!◆ Sandy Kiefer
In April, the cello students of Sandy Kiefer, who teaches at the Suzuki String School of Guelph, had an unusual contest. The students were asked to play in as many unusual places as possible. They needed to play an entire piece from their repertoire but not in their practice room!
All of the cellists got very creative! Alexis went to play at her Mother's Spa, Dexter and Graydon played in a hospital lobby and Callum went outside and played at the jungle gym. There were also performances in airport elevators, on top of kitchen tables, inside closets, riding on a bike, and in a pizza parlour. The furthest away from Guelph was Charlotte who played at an airport in China. The students voted Liam first prize since he played on top of his garage roof with a safety harness on.
Many students gave performances in over ten locations. The first prize for the most locations went to Theo. He is in book one and played in 47 different locations. He even played on the bike path wearing his mittens.
Everyone had fun and thought this was a good way to play lots and lots of review pieces.Congratulations to all the cellists who participated. What is the next unusual thing you will do with your cello?
613 EAST AREA REPORT (LAURA NERENBERG)
From the Hammond Suzuki Studio:Hammond Suzuki Studio presented had a phenomenal group class concert this year, titled “Under the Stars”. Students performed some fantastic music with great musicianship! This is also the first year we have had program graduates- 2 students from start to finish heading off to University next year. We are already planning some exciting events for the fall including a workshop weekend with the Ton Beau String Quartet (Toronto), and the launch of a Suzuki Early Childhood Education program. Exciting times!
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Callum playing cello in a playground
VOLUME 30, N0. 2, SUMMER 2019 www.suzukiontario.org
From Rideau Falls Violins:With a beautiful and exciting group class concert in the rear view mirror, only the solo recital and the annual Suzuki Sundae remain on the Spring calendar for the Rideau Falls Violins. This year's Suzuki Sundae will feature performances by family groups in Rideau Falls violins -- where members of a same family perform together -- in a beautiful Ottawa park. This will be followed by a play-in, and ice cream! On a sentimental note, Rideau Falls Violins says goodbye to two graduates, as they embark on new chapters at university in the fall. Lisa McMinn will be attending Mount Allison University and Aaron Iny will be attending Queens University. Both of these bright young people will be studying science. Lisa has studied violin with Laura Nerenberg for the past 4 years, and Aaron has studied violin with Laura for 15 years, since the tender age of 2. On May 26, he played an ambitious graduation recital, with the help of one of Ottawa's best collaborative pianists, Liko Yamane. He plans to continue his violin studies with a music minor in the fall. Both Lisa and Aaron will be missed. They always set a beautiful example of musicianship, tone and character for the younger students. In Rideau Falls alumni news: Former violin student, and Laurier grad, Jasmine Michel, has established herself in Charlottetown, PEI, as a multi-faceted, versatile musician and music therapist. You can follow her on her facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/songwellmusictherapy/ Jasmine studied with Laura from 2001-2011.
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613 WEST AREA REPORT (JODIE COMPEAU)
Hello fellow SAO members from the teachers in the Kingston and surrounding area. We would like to update you on many exciting Suzuki events and celebrations of the Suzuki Method in our area. We have been working on building a strong, collaborative community of teachers, parents, and students and on giving back to the community through music. The following are some of our attempts to achieve these goal as a Suzuki family, as well as some general news.
Our local strings school, Canta Arya, was thrilled to have violinist and teacher Julia McFarlane and her family move to Kingston. With the addition of her two daughters, there are now four McFarlanes in the school and another who is President of the the Kingston Suzuki Music Association!
In February, our strings students thrived at our local Kiwanis Music Festival, with the wonderful and inspiring Suzuki violin teacher (and SAO member!) Witold Swoboda. Canta Arya had many solos, small ensembles and 4 large groups benefit from his wisdom.
Our piano students were also well represented at the Kiwanis Music Festival and many were honoured with recognition at the Highlights festival conclusion. We are fortunate to have 3 Suzuki-specific piano classes in the festival (non competitive).
Canta Arya continues to contribute to the community through an ongoing partnership with Providence Continuing Care (seniors home) with students of all ages and levels sharing their music with the residents. From supplying music for couples dinners to solo recitals, the residents are always enthusiastic and welcoming. This regular interaction between violinists and residents is creating bonds and community that gives so much to all of us. In other Canta Arya news, we have a recently added viola class that is growing and thriving.
Both the pianists and the strings also participated in a well attended grand opening of our newly restored Central Library. The students shared their music for 3 hours as guests toured the newly updated facility. This was extremely well received and appreciated by the public.
As the school year comes to its end, Canta Arya decided to celebrate with a 'good old-fashioned' group concert followed by a food and play time! The pianists also recently had their final "Play-in" of the season, a regularly Friday night get-together for pianist.
The Suzuki community in Kingston and surrounding area is alive and well!
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905 NORTH AREA REPORT (SUSAN BETH BARAK)
From Wendy Seravalle-Smith, director Thornhill School of Suzuki String TeachingWe are keeping busy in Thornhill Suzuki program. An enjoyable afternoon of music making followed by great food occurred in March at our annual play in and potluck. We look forward to a joint similar event and charity fundraiser in September with Heartstrings studio and Susan Barak. Congratulations to Thornhill Suzuki student Ellie who performed Mozart Concerto in D major, 1st movement with Canadian Sinfonietta in May. Two violists, Natalie and Erica, from Thornhill Suzuki program attended the Suzuki Festival in Cancun Mexico. Erica auditioned successfully to be in one of the orchestras.
We are gearing up for our annual solo festival at the end of May with adjudicator Wendy Soltice-Rogers. Three Thornhill Suzuki students Ellie, Angelina and Tina will participate in Ontario Provincial Music Festival in June. End of year program concert is in June with play in, ensembles and solos by graduating cello student Evan.
Summer lessons are available for violin, viola and cello. If you are not teaching, and have students interested in having lessons, we can consult together goals to keep progress going. Contact [email protected].
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905 North: NewmarketHeart-Strings Newmarket Violin and Viola Studio had a wonderful year! In addition to regular group classes, there were more than a dozen additional ensemble and solo performance opportunities planned. This year also continued Director Susan Beth Barak’s tradition of donating profits from group activities to local charities, in particular the Newmarket Food Pantry.
Highlights included performing for the Bereaved Families of York Region Butterfly Release event at Fairy Lake. We had a wonderful pot luck event hosted by Maggie’s family, featuring a special Parent Talk by Wendy Seravalle-Smith.
Heart-Strings students were personally greeted by the York Central Services Fire Chief and Deputy Chief and presented withspecial pins, when they played at the reception before the YCFS Staff Recognition event. We had a fabulous pot luck dessert party and rehearsal with Arabella’s family and performed at historical Pickering College
before the Memory Tree of Light service, and received lovely crystal ornaments as a special token of appreciation.
Heart-Strings students were surprised with an appearance by the Princesses from Frozen, after performing for the children of Shine Through the Rain, at the Cardinal Golf Club.Students were honoured to be invited as special guests of the Musicians from Marlboro at the 345 Gallery in Toronto.
The first-time-ever in Ontario special event – a cross-studio Suzuki Jazz Fiddle workshop, with students of Jeremy Viinalass, at the Bradford Arts Centre with guest Instructor, Andrew Dawydchak, was a real hit! (see below for more details). Heart-Strings students filled their portfolios with lots of certificates and medals at the Newmarket Lions Music Festival and the South Simcoe Music Festival, but the truth is everyone wins just by the learning that comes with participation – sharing our music and supporting all our friends’ playing, as well.
The 2018-2019 year culminated with our recital June 2 – I am so grateful for the wonderful Suzuki community growing in Newmarket! Summer lessons are available in studio or via Skype, and I am happy to support other teachers’ plans if they are away.
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Heart-Strings Newmarket students
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905 SOUTH REPORT (MARY BURKE) This is my first year as 905 area rep, taking over from Laurie Mitchell, I hope to be able to catch everyone at the November conference this year, especially with those I don’t know yet. I know everybody is busy at the end of the teaching year and probably getting ready for spring recitals if that is on the agenda. Here are a few highlights. It is so great to see the support of different causes in the communities represented and hear about student successes!
From Lorraine:The HSSM is in Spring Concert mode with strings, flute and harp, piano and guitar departments all presenting their own concerts. We have had a wonderful string workshop with Margot Jewel, Myra Yeung and Andrea Cook as clinicians. The students all took away an improvement in their playing and the parents had a chance to interact with each other. Our harp department has been in the community providing music for the Dundas Valley School of Art Auction and for the Princess Ball for cystic fibrosis. Harpists and ensembles competed in the Guelph music festival. Our orchestra performed a pre-concert for the Hamilton Philharmonic children’s concert in March. Both the piano and string departments organised ensemble concerts. The string one involved many family members and the piano one paired beginning and senior students. Like others, we are in planning mode for September.
From Laurie Mitchell:Laurie has a large studio in south Bowmanville and is honoured to be the recipient of this year’s Port Hope 2018 Civic Award, along with Michael Lyons. “The Arts and Culture Award is awarded to individuals or groups for promotion of the arts, high achievement in the arts, and for significant cultural contributions to the community. Michael Lyons and Laurie Mitchell are dedicated and hardworking leaders of La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra. Under their guidance, the community in Port Hope has been able to enjoy exciting performances for the past two decades and students have had the opportunity to play in a symphony orchestra. Michael and Laurie are inspirations to the youth in La Jeunesse and continue to encourage and spread the love of music.”
From Laurie and Mary:We are excited to be running Durham Music Camp for our 5th year! This is a day camp in the Oshawa area July 1st – 5th (we have moved venues this year to Courtice) that was started in 2015 for kids east of the GTA. It provides a fun start to the summer for strings and piano with electives in drumming guitar, orchestra, chamber music, theory, music and movement and more. We have a wonderful team of teachers that make this week a great experience. We are in full planning and organisation mode to schedule students and classes.
From Kathy Coltof:In early May my 3 students who drive in from Cavan (outside of Peterborough) come every Saturday and the 3 students played in the Peterborough Kiwanis Festival - my violin student got a scholarship
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from the festival and a really nice plaque - she will be joining the Kawartha Junior Orchestra in September. My viola student who has been accepted for the music program at Western this fall, played at her High School, the Bruch Romance, also was conducting 2 other orchestra pieces.Our June 15 concert is here in Whitby - we are playing in a beautiful garden for about 2 hours, to raise money for Hearth Place, the Cancer Support Centre.On Sunday June 16 we are performing at 2 p.m. in Port Perry at West Shore Village Retirement Living for the seniors.On Thurs. June 27 at 1 p.m. our Rimosa Ensemble is playing at Durham Christian Homes for their Strawberry Social in Whitby.A number of my students will be going to Durham Music Camp from July 1 to July 5 - a fun music camp to play and learn from other teachers, this first week of July.
Instrument Representatives Reports
BASS REPORT (JESSE DIETSCHI)
SOSI will be continuing its bass programming, with teacher trainer Virginia Dixon confirmed to offer Unit 3 training in summer 2019. I was happy to see Suzuki and RCM bass teacher Ching Ping Lin teach at the SAO Conference last fall, and look forward to seeing my 5-year-old bass student (!!) Harrison and his mom at SOSI this summer! PIANO REPORT (BARBARA BYCZKO)
Dear Colleagues, This will be my last report as piano representative for the SAO having served our organisation for 10 years. I was privileged to become involved in the SAO through my dear colleague and friend, Dimitra Marangozis, who invited me to join the Board as piano representative in 2008. During this past decade, I have had the opportunity to present at two SAO conferences and last year, was part of the 2018 SAO conference committee. I have met many wonderful and caring parents, calling to inquire about the Suzuki Method, and asking for advice for programming in their areas. I have had the privilege to also get to know many Suzuki teachers through the conferences and other Suzuki related events. We are so fortunate to have such a close-knit musical community which endeavours to bring the joy of music to the lives of so many families. All the best to the next piano representative, I know that whomever it is, they will enjoy being part of SAO organisation.
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VOLUME 30, N0. 2, SUMMER 2019 www.suzukiontario.org
Cross-Studio Events
THANK YOU DR SUZUKI CONCERT, MARCH 30
The Thank You Dr Suzuki Concert took place on March 30, in the beautiful Jeanne Lamon Hall at Trinity St Paul’s in Toronto. This annual event celebrates the Toronto Suzuki community by bringing together senior violin, viola, cello, flute and piano students from across the GTA. There were beautiful performances of smaller groups from the various Suzuki schools. The evening ended with a combined orchestra conducted by Tricia Balmer. This concert was conceived in 2001 and has been organised by Gretchen Paxson Abberger for the last 18 years.
JAZZ FIDDLE WORKSHOP, MARCH 31 Susan Beth Barak and Jeremy Viinalass from the 905 North and 705 areas would like to extend sincere thanks to the SAO for granting us a scholarship in support of our cross studio event.
On March 31, 2019, our Suzuki Studios met at the Bradford Arts Centre for a fantastic Jazz Fiddle Workshop led by special guest Instructor and facilitator, rising star, Andrew Dawydchak. Andrew
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VOLUME 30, N0. 2, SUMMER 2019 www.suzukiontario.org
worked equally well with students of all ages (6 years through adult) and a broad range of experience. It was a great venue and everyone had fun being up on stage, taking turns improvising solos as well as jamming together.Even beginners got into playing with double stops and venturing down to the G string! It was exciting to improv new Twinkle variations and progress from scales to measures to a whole new piece!
The more advanced group also branched out to the blues of Miles Davis and the jazz of Johnny Mercer. It was also fun to round out the day belting out the first movement of the Seitz Concerto No. 5 in D Major, in the resonant sanctuary of the Bradford United Church, home of the BAC.
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Susan Beth, Andrew, and Jeremy
Fiddle Fun!
