Suzuki Method Information Session

Lisa Goddard, professional violinist and Jamaica Plain violin teacher, presents a discussion on the Suzuki Method. Geared towards parents, the talk will address the nuts and bolts of starting an instrument for kids, the myriad benefits of early childhood music education, and the philosophy and practice of the Suzuki Method.

Early childhood music education can have an enormous impact on a child's success and lifelong approach to learning, both musically and otherwise. The Suzuki Method is modeled on how people learn their first language, and is an incredibly effective and loving way for kids to learn an instrument. Please see below for further details about the Suzuki Method, and Lisa Goddard.

The Suzuki Method
Modeled on the way children learn their native languages, the Suzuki method takes a practical approach to teaching music as a language. The system is founded on the belief that every child can learn, and that natural ability or talent is much less relevant than their environment and the work a student puts in. With love and care, every child can learn to play the violin just as they can learn to speak. As such, the teacher and one dedicated Suzuki parent work together to foster each child's musical development. Their environment is filled with music through listening (recordings and performances), imitation is encouraged as the student learns their music by ear, and the material is reinforced by repetition and positive reinforcement. Students maintain a body of repertoire to perform, polish, and build new skills with through consistent review. Continuing to review repertoire that has been mastered strengthens memory, makes playing more fluent, and instills confidence in students. Reading is delayed in the Suzuki method, because learning to play the instrument before learning to read musical notation allows students to develop exemplary posture and technique without distraction, and playing by ear helps develop lifelong memory skills. Note reading is developed separately, and over time reading skills become equal to playing skills, and become a new source of musical information. Consistent focused practicing and lessons teach lifelong skills like delayed gratification, how diligent, consistent work pays off, and how big challenges can be met step by step. Learn more: www.suzukiassociation.org

Lisa Goddard is a professional violinist and Suzuki violin teacher. She runs a small private studio from her home in Jamaica Plain, and is currently accepting new students ages 4 and up. Lisa did her Suzuki training at the Chicago and Colorado Suzuki Institutes, with continuing study at the Suzuki School of Newton. She has taught at the Oberlin Community Music School, Oberlin College, and privately for 10 years. As a member of the Cardamom Quartet, Lisa was a teaching artist in residence at El Sistema Somerville, where she taught chamber music skills and gave several interactive performances. She holds a Masters degree from the New England Conservatory, and Bachelors degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory in performance and Oberlin College in biology. Lisa performs regularly on both modern and historical violins, and can be heard with the Portland Symphony (Maine), the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Boston Baroque, the Handel and Haydn Society, Grand Harmonie, Harvard Baroque, and the Emergence Quartet.

Learn more: www.lisagoddard.com/studio