Barbara Schneiderman with her co-teacher, daughter Tanya Schneiderman, at their May 18th Spring Recital.

Barbara Schneiderman’s public recognition as a pianist began when she performed on the radio at age 11. An admiring listener recommended her to Sydney Foster, the first of several renowned teachers, including Walter Piston, Horazio Frugoni and Aube Tzerko. She acquired degrees from Harvard, the Royal Academy in London, and the University of California San Diego, and enjoyed a long career of amateur and professional chamber music recitals. Also, while in college she was the pianist for the Radcliffe Choral Society.

Her teaching career began in the living room of her married student apartment at Harvard with an original concept, a “Musical Nursery” for the children of graduate students. She introduced musical concepts in a playful atmosphere. From there she progressed to providing private lessons to award-winning students of all ages in both the Suzuki and traditional system. As a certified Suzuki Teacher Trainer, Barbara trained her daughter, Tanya, to teach the Suzuki Method and together they shared a studio, teaching in what Barbara called “a one room schoolhouse”. In the last several decades her master classes were in great demand around the country.

As a Suzuki Association of America Teacher Trainer she lectured and wrote numerous articles on a wide range of musical topics at national and international conferences. She served on the Suzuki Association Piano Committee and was a regular piano columnist for the American Suzuki Journal. She also taught courses on performance at UCSD and served as an invited Visiting Artist in other academic settings. Her book, Confident Music Performance: The Art of Preparing, is considered a classic in the field, praised for its value and comprehensiveness by professional musicians (“wonderful insights…practical and philosophical,” “revealing and illuminating for aspiring performers”), psychologists (“delightfully thoughtful”), and neurologists, including Oliver Sacks (“an intriguing analysis of the nature of musical performance and of action in general”).

Barbara Schneiderman moved to Del Mar in 1970 and soon became involved in political activism at the national and local level. During the Vietnam War era, she engaged in organized non-violent efforts to protest and end the war. On the local level, she originated and oversaw popular gatherings called “Evenings in the Neighborhood.” These provided stimulating occasions in Del Mar homes ranging from Greek poetry to controversial topics led by local experts to entertaining folk song fests. She was also an early participant in developing and supporting the Del Mar Community Plan.

Barbara Schneiderman was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, in 1935, where she also had a remarkable career. She was valedictorian, class president and head cheerleader at Perth Amboy High School. From there she went to Radcliffe College (at that time the woman’s college affiliated with Harvard) where she met her husband, Larry, then a student at Harvard Medical School and now an emeritus professor at UCSD School of Medicine. She is survived by four children, Rob who resides in New York, Claudia in Pacific Palisades, Heidi in Niagara Falls, Canada, and Tanya in Del Mar; and four grandchildren.

Listen to Mr. Leviton and Dr. Suzuki performing Prelude and Berceuse.

Originally, from Chicago, Mr. Leviton spent his life devoted to music and teaching. As a young man, Mr. Leviton won several prestigious contests as a pianist in the Chicago area, including the Society of Young American Musicians Competition. He served in the army in World War II and was called upon, with only a few days notice, to play the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. His performance won rave reviews from Chicago music critics. Mr. Leviton toured Europe as a two-piano team with his first wife, Annabelle Shrago Leviton and they returned to the Chicago area to devote their lives to teaching and performing. For many years, Mr. Leviton taught at DePaul University, where he received the designation Professor Emeritus of Music. He was also on the faculty for the Music Institute of Chicago.

Mr. Leviton was one of the pioneers in bringing the Suzuki Piano method to the United States. He made several trips to Matsumoto, Japan to study the Suzuki Method, and worked with Dr. Suzuki and other teachers there. Performing groups from the (Betty) Haag-Leviton Suzuki Academy appeared in Carnegie Hall, on numerous television shows, and performed for several Popes during tours of Europe.

He had homes in Hawaii and Bellingham, Washington but, most notably, leaves behind a devoted studio of piano students of all ages, that he taught for the past twenty years in Scottsdale, Arizona. Later in life, he had a brief but happy marriage to pianist Peggy Leviton of Bellingham, Washington. Remarkably, with many physical infirmities, he continued commuting to Scottsdale to teach until just a few months ago, capping off a distinguished 60 year teaching career.

Mr. Leviton was loved by family and friends from around the world and will be greatly missed. Funeral Services were on Thursday, March 6, 20008 at the Fairview Memorial Park at 700 Yale Blvd SE in Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Phoenix Music Teachers Association at: http://www.phoenixmusicteachers.org/index.html

Lynn was born in Evanston, IL, July 25, 1954. She earned a BS in Business from Bucknell University and an MBA from Rider College. After college, she handled corporate finance and agro-chemical marketing for Rhône-Poulenc. She later became marketing manager of her father’s educational music publishing firm, Summy-Birchard Co. After that company’s acquisition by Warner Brothers in 1988, she became vice-president and oversaw the entire division’s activities. In 1995, she became vice president of Shawnee Press, a world leader in choral music. While there, she grew the company, made it profitable, and helped it earn a stronger presence in the music industry.

In 2001, she became general manager of Music Together, an early-childhood educational company started by her cousin. She remained in that position until taking a leave of absence due to her declining health.

Lynn played a prominent role in the music industry, serving on the executive board of the Music Industry Council and as president, treasurer and board member of the Music Publishers Association of the United States. In November 2007 the MPA granted their first-ever lifetime achievement award to Lynn for giving “so much of herself to the industry.”

Lynn had a love for horses that began in her childhood with pony clubs and parades. She later bred and trained her own horses, competed in eventing and amateur-owner divisions, and enjoyed fox hunting. Lynn is well known in the horse community and loved by all who came in contact with her. When her cancer precluded her from riding, she started a new avocation as a horseshow judge.

Lynn is survived by her father David Sengstack of New Brunswick, NJ, her mother Anita “Brownie” French of New Bern, NC, and her brothers Jeff Sengstack of Santa Rosa, CA and Gregg Sengstack of Ft. Wayne, IN.

Lynn’s family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until her Memorial Gathering at 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 E. Butler Ave. (Route 202 and Sandy Ridge Rd.) New Britain, PA 18901.

In lieu of flowers, Lynn requested that donations be made to the Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave. Philadelphia PA 19111.

From the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra:

The recent sudden death of Lynn Baughman, long-time Suzuki violin and viola teacher, has left the entire arts community of metropolitan Atlanta devastated. Lynn’s remarkable career as a distinguished teacher of young musicians is legendary. She was highly regarded, not only as a wonderful teacher, but also as an outstanding mentor of students at every level of ability.

Over the past thirty-five years Lynn’s students have won every local scholarship offered to young violinists and violists many times over. They have occupied principal chairs of every youth orchestra including GMEA All-State at all levels. Lynn’s students played as concertmasters of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, the DeKalb Youth Orchestra and the Honor Orchestras of Gwinnett, Fulton, DeKalb and Cobb Counties.

Many of Lynn’s students received music scholarships to institutions of higher learning including Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, University of Southern California, Stetson University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University. Although many became professional performers, composers and music teachers, she was just as proud of those who became engineers, physicians, graphic artists, attorneys, etc.

In order to continue Lynn’s legacy the newly-formed Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra has established a fund to endow the concertmaster position. The chair will be known as the Lynn Marie Hosty Baughman Concertmaster Chair.

How to donate to the fund:

Checks should be made payable to Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra and mailed to:

Lynn Baughman Concertmaster Chair
4284 Patrick Trace
Norcross, GA 30092

A Remembrance from Karen Peckham:

Lynn was a Suzuki teacher beginning in the 70’s when the Suzuki Method was much newer and not as recognized. After a brief beginning with a “traditional” teacher, my sisters and I all took lessons from Lynn Baughman and we loved her, excelled with her, and I only stopped lessons with her after moving away for schooling. Lynn totally immersed herself in her teaching, and took a group of her students to Japan one summer (after I had already moved away, though my sister and Mom got to go on that trip). Because of Lynn, my childhood memories of violin and Dr. Suzuki are extra special. She had a huge gift for teaching and must have taught hundreds of students through the years.

From Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Lynn Baughman, gave inspiration to violinists

A Brief Biography

Born on May 1, 1945, in Kanagawa, Japan, Yuko began violin at age 4. She studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and in 1964 came to the University of Washington to study with Vilem Sokol. Realizing a lifelong mission to share Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy and teaching methods, Yuko went on to teach and develop the Suzuki Program at Eastman School of Music. She also taught at Drake University, University of Southern California, Graceland College, and, as Director of the Suzuki String Program at the University of Memphis, founded the Memphis Suzuki Summer Institute. In 1995, Yuko returned to Seattle. In 1998 she directed a memorial concert in honor of Dr. Suzuki with nearly 800 participants in the newly built Benaroyal Hall. She was assistant concertmistress at the Des Moines and Memphis Symphonies, a Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) board member and registered Teacher Trainer, an officer of the Suzuki Education Research Association and a member of the Suzuki Association of Washington. In 2006, Yuko received the SAA Creating Learning Community Award. Yuko Honda passed away peacefully on Monday, April 9, 2007, at her home in Bellevue, Washington. She left this world as she desired, teaching until one month before her passing and surrounded by family and friends.

From the Seattle Times

Violin teacher Yuko Honda, shared Suzuki legacy

Yuko Honda Memorial Fund

Donations in memory of Yuko Honda may be made in support of one of her favorite organizations, the Ban Rom Sai Orphanage in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Ms. Honda made several visits there to teach music, and was instrumental in bringing about the adoption of one of the children by a family here in the US. Now registered as a non-profit organization, the fund will be administered by her close friend, Anne Bankson.

Donations by check to The Yuko Honda Memorial Fund may be mailed to:

Yuko Honda Memorial Fund
15819 S.E. 43rd Place
Bellevue, WA 98006
USA

The Ban Rom Sai Orphanage has a Japanese website: www.banromsai.jp

He was a graduate of Cleveland Institute of Music and received his B.M. and MA degrees from Eastman School of Music. While he was at Eastman School of Music, he was introduced to the work of Dr. Schinichi Suzuki.

Rudy was the musical director for Lynchburg Talent Education Suzuki School; musical director of the Central Virginia Suzuki Institute; instructor of violin at Sweet Briar College; conductor of Sweet Briar College Chamber Orchestra; co-principal second violin of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, a member of the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, member and registered teacher trainer of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and first violin of Lynchburg Chamber Players.

He started the Lynchburg Public Schools String program 34 years ago and also started the Suzuki violin program at Lynchburg College. He was a faculty member/clinician at workshops and Suzuki Institutes across the country, former member of the Board of Directors of Suzuki Association of the Americas, former member of the Violin Committee of Suzuki Association of the Americas; past president of Central Virginia Music Teachers Association; former first violin of the James String Quartet, Adamo String Quartet, Phi Mu Alpha String Quartet; participant in the 2001 Starling-Delay Symposium on Teaching the Exceptional Violinist. He was a former member and conductor of the Lynchburg Symphony. Rudy’s greatest enjoyment in life was to see a child learn to play a musical instrument.

In addition to his father, he is survived by two sons, Jason Rudolph Hazucha of Ypsilanti, MI and Jordan Paul Hazucha of Lynchburg; three sisters, Rose Marie Walker and husband, Richard, Aggie Peterson, Terri Hazucha, all of Columbus, Ohio; a brother, John Hazucha and his wife, Laura, of New Lexington; two grandchildren, Barrett Moses and Willow Hazucha; a number of nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends Susan and George Fralin.

A celebration of his life will be held on April 30 between 1:00 and 4:00 at Monte Carlo Restaurant in Lynchburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Roanoke Symphony, The Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave., Suite 200, Roanoke, VA 24016; Suzuki Association of the Americas c/o teaching development, PO Box 17310 Boulder, CO 80308; Sweet Briar College Music Department, Box G, Sweet Briar, VA 24595.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College, she studied with Dr. Suzuki in Japan and received certificates in Suzuki cello and violin at Matsumoto, and subsequently took Suzuki teacher training through book 7 in cello, and through book 8 in violin. She also studied flute with Mr. Takahashi. Chris was the type of person who was capable of listening and speaking without judgment, and this earned her the unhesitating respect of all.

Central to Chris’ life was her ongoing battle with leukemia, which lasted for 14 years. She was very active not only in searching for new methods of battling the disease, but in communicating with and educating others who had it. She was connected with study groups and non-profit organizations related to her disease, and spent her time researching the most cutting-edge medical discoveries in the hope that she might find a way to survive her condition. She communicated with doctors and researchers from all over the world, in many different medical and spiritual fields. Chris herself once wrote, “Although finding better and better ways of beating down the disease might lead to long remissions, and this can be very helpful, I feel that the only way to be truly well is to somehow reverse this paradigm, in other words, to reach the point in health and balance in the body where my immune system recognizes the problem and takes care of it by itself…. The big question is, though, which will come sooner—the rise of my white blood cell count beyond a safe point (bad) or the beginnings of evidence of control … please think of my situation as an opportunity to learn a great deal and hopefully pass on that learning to others, rather than as a tragedy to myself.” (Emailed to Kathy Moser, summer of ’05)

Of the many ways in which one can deal with the prospect of a terminal illness, Chris chose the best, using it as a reason and a means to connect with other people as much as possible; her outlook on life was so overwhelmingly positive that it served as an example to everyone else around her. Even those who didn’t know about Chris’ leukemia saw her as an unusually inspiring human being, who saw everyone in the most positive way. She lived each day and treated each person as special. Many who knew Chris spoke of her as “shining with light.” In response to her condition, she became the kind of person who lived the way we all ought to live, with her attention focused on those things that were truly important.

Music, for Chris, was one of those truly important things. She once wrote, “If anything, maintaining some contact with the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association (GPSA) keeps me from feeling that 100% of my time and effort has to do with the disease.” She was the music director of her church, and was very involved with GPSA, holding the position of Corresponding Secretary at the time she passed away.

Her quest for knowledge reflected itself in her diverse musical education. Chris entered Oberlin Conservatory as a cello student, but switched to violin and transferred to the College during her sophomore year. While she did return to the Conservatory once again during her Oberlin career, she ultimately chose to graduate from the College instead. She studied cello through traditional methods with Mrs. Watts and Mr. Orlando Cole, and began studying violin through traditional methods as well. She was first exposed to the Suzuki method at Oberlin, where she met both American Suzuki teachers and Japanese Suzuki teachers from Matsumoto. This inspired her to begin taking teacher-training classes all over the United States, in both cello and violin, and eventually to attend Dr. Suzuki’s Talent Education School in Matsumoto. After her return, she attended cello teacher-training classes, as well as additional classes for violin.

In Matsumoto, she established a friendship with the late Mrs. Suzuki. The two had much in common—not only the experience of living in Matsumoto as a foreigner, but also their German backgrounds and Japanese husbands. The two met once more when Chris visited a clinic in Switzerland and Mrs. Suzuki was staying in Europe. Chris’ knowledge of Japanese also came in handy when Dr. Haruko Kataoka, co-founder of the Suzuki piano method, gave a week-long workshop in Philadelphia. Chris was able to make her feel comfortable by spending an evening with her speaking in Japanese. She was the last direct student of Dr. Suzuki. A photograph she took of Dr. Suzuki during his last lesson was later used by GPSA for fundraising.

When she returned to her native town, she began teaching violin both privately and at Settlement Music School. She was the volunteer music director of the Japanese Christian Church of Philadelphia, where she met her husband Kazuya Hayakawa, for 25 years. She introduced a number of Japanese families in Philadelphia to the church, and she established a general music program, including Suzuki instruction after Sunday services. Her students frequently participated in the services, including the formation of a children’s string ensemble to accompany the adult choir in Handel’s Messiah.

One mother of Chris’ students said, “Chris always shows her excitement of her teaching.” Kazuya Hayakawa adds, “Actually, sometimes—often—she didn’t like to teach, but after she finished her teaching she was so excited and showed her joy of teaching. She believed ‘One of her best teachers is her students.’ I hope her teachers didn’t hear, but she said she learned from her students as much as her teachers.”

Chris Hayakawa’s life, both in its history and in the way she lived it, was and continues to be an inspiration to us all. It is encouraging to think of all the things she did with her life; more importantly, those of us who remember the personality with which she did those things feel encouraged to bring those qualities out in ourselves. Chris’ greatest accomplishment was the person she decided to be.

Chris’ Memorial Service, held on February 4, at the Wayne Presbyterian Church, Wayne, PA, was attended by well over 170 friends, colleagues, and family members. The GPSA officers, board members, and members were there to honor her spirit. As Chris’ mother told several of us at the Memorial Service, “Chris wants us to be happy and to go on. She is still with us.”

Carole Mayers, board member of GPSA, friend and colleague wrote this haiku:

For Chris Hayakawa—February 2006

I feel your spirit soaring
Nowhere, everywhere.
Joyful in its flight—so free.

Beyond our sense of knowing,
One with the air and
Earth and sky; love continues.

Chris is survived by her husband, Kazuya, and her daughters, Keiko and Miyako; her sister, Rosalyn L. Pollack, and her brother, Allan Zink; and her mother, Dorothea M. Zink. Chris’ husband and family request that donations be made in her memory to The Midwestern Regional Medical Center, Assistance in Health Care, 2520 Elisha Ave., Zion, IL 60099.

Written by Neil Bakshi,
with contributions from Kazuya Hayakawa, Carole Mayers, and Kathy Moser

By Tami McLallen, Director DFW WOW Suzuki Institute

My dear friend, Gwen Runyon, died on January 22. When I heard the news, I experienced a wave of emotion that, quite honestly, surprised me. Of course I was sad, and I’ll miss her deeply. But as the tears flowed down my cheeks, it was more than just sadness.

You see, Gwen Runyon has been an important part of mine and my family’s life for nearly a decade. Considering that Gwen lived for more than eight decades, that may not seem like much, but she single-handedly influenced and shaped our lives more than any other person outside my family.

I met Gwen in 1997. My then 2-year-old daughter had expressed an interest in “pwaying the viowin.” Being a wind player, I knew nothing about strings and had never heard of the Suzuki method. But my daughter had expressed an interest and I wanted to pursue it. So I made some calls and was referred to a woman who had started a Suzuki Strings Program at TCU and Tarrant County College.

I gave Gwen a call and she listened intently as I told her my story. She explained that her studio was full, but that she would be happy to meet with us. The next day, I went to her home and fell in love!

Her passion for music, respect for Dr. Suzuki and love for children was obvious. She patiently answered my questions and immediately engaged my daughter Morgan in conversation about the violin.

That day, she agreed to take us on, and I began my parent training the following week. Six weeks later, Morgan began her lessons and 9 years later, we’re still at it.

Gwen saw to it that daily practice became, not just one of the items on my “to do” list, but a way of life. She coached me along, making sure that I knew how to focus on and encourage the positive instead of only zeroing in on the things that needed improvement.

She invested in us and our lives—including my husband and non-Suzuki studying son. She came for dinner, went with us to concerts, always offered smiles and cookies and funny stories.

Even after Morgan changed teachers because our school district started a Suzuki program at school (due in large part to Gwen’s influence and guidance), she continued to be a regular part of our world. I would call her for advice, or just go by to talk. She knew so much and was always striving to learn new things. In her 70’s, she was still taking college courses in Tai Chi, flower arranging and watercolors. And she was great on the computer too!

This past year when Gwen battled some health problems and spent some time in an assisted living facility, we had the privilege of visiting with her regularly. Morgan and some of her friends would take their violins, and Gwen would accompany them on the piano to the delight of her fellow residents. How I loved to watch those frail, but beautiful and nimble hands work across those keys.

Although she had a motorized scooter to help her get around, she preferred to walk and watch my kids have fun taking turns “driving” around the halls.

So much of who I am and what I do is because of her. She introduced us to many Japanese friends and was instrumental in us taking two trips to Japan, including one to the Suzuki Institute in Matsumoto.

She introduced us to the TCU Summer Suzuki Institute, and when that program ended, she encouraged me to start my own institute—DFW WOW—and coached me every step of the way. This past July, she even led the Twinkles on our final concert.

And so I guess the feeling that I experienced is a number of things. Beyond the sadness is respect and admiration. I only hope I can live and love the way she did. I hope that I can have the kind of impact on people that she has had on so many. It’s also loneliness because I’ll miss her so much—her stories, her laugh, her smile. But more than anything, it’s gratitude. I’m so grateful for Gwen and what she taught me. Grateful for the example that she gave and the way she loved me and my family.

Gwen Runyon’s life was about giving to others. Giving them not only the gift of music, but the gift of herself. I loved her, and am proud to have called her my friend. This summer, the final concert at our institute will be dedicated to her and will be officially named the “Gwen Runyon Memorial Concert” from this point forward. We’ll also award a Gwen Runyon Memorial Scholarship each year. I think she would have liked that.

About Gwen Runyon

Born in Utah in 1923, she received her master’s degree in music education from Texas Christian University. She taught music to children for more than fifty years. She pursued her love for teaching music all of life, having taught at least one lesson the week she passed away.

She learned of the Suzuki method from Dr. Suzuki when he spoke in Dallas in the 1950’s. She was drawn to all of his concepts. She was instrumental in starting Suzuki instruction in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Her desire to pursue Suzuki instruction took her to Japan on numerous occasions where she studied Suzuki methods and techniques that she shared with students and other instructors here.

Gwen was able to combine her interests in Japan and Music to form a bond between Suzuki students in Nagaoka, Japan, a Fort Worth Sister City and students in Fort Worth. In doing so, she hosted Japanese students here and organized tours of students from this area to Nagaoka.

It is a monument to her abilities as a teacher than many of her students went on to become Suzuki instructors themselves, further spreading the method to which she was so dedicated.

Gwen was the inspiration behind the TCU Suzuki Summer Institute which began in 1974 and continued for twenty-five years. This Institute is the predecessor to the ongoing DFW WOW Institute, to which she consulted. In addition, she was influential in the creation of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD Suzuki Strings Program, and she served as a board member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

Recollections of Gwen Runyon

Guinevere “Gwen” Orme Runyon profoundly changed our little corner of the world by living and teaching the Suzuki philosophy and method for over fifty years, giving lessons up until the week she passed away. Gwen was a pioneer in bringing the Suzuki Method to North Texas. She graciously served as board member of the SAA, and started the TCJC workshop in 1979, which evolved into the TCU Institute. Gwen was an accomplished pianist, organist and violinist, but as a Suzuki teacher she focused on the cello. Gwen traveled numerous times to Japan in order to take lessons from Dr. Suzuki. She took students with her to participate in activities at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto and to have lessons with Dr. Suzuki.

Gwen was instrumental in forming the “sister city” bond between Ft. Worth and Nagaoka, Japan. Gwen and Yoshikawa-sensei (Suzuki violin teacher from Nagaoka) visited each others’ studios, taught each others’ students and took tour groups to perform in each others’ cities. Gwen also traveled with the Suzuki Tour group to China with Waltraud Suzuki and Evelyn Hermann.

The community of North Texas Suzuki teachers and families will dearly miss our friend and colleague. Her life is an inspiration to us all.
—Irene Mitchell

Gwen Runyon with young students.

In 1983 I came to work for Gwen in her Suzuki program at Tarrant County Community College. I knew how important she was to the Suzuki movement and how dedicated she was to every little detail. I wanted to impress her with my knowledge, so when she had me come in to play Book One for her I was ready. As a violist, I don’t normally play with an extremely low elbow, so I was trying very hard to keep it really low. The next thing I knew, she was doubled over laughing. When she came up for air she looked at me and said, “Your elbow doesn’t have to be that low; did you use glue or something?” Gwen was somewhat proper, so to see her like that made me relax and have fun.
—Joni Baczewski

Gwen was always kind, cheerful and easy to talk to. It was obvious that she was an excellent teacher and loved what she was doing.
—Betty O’Dell

I first met Gwen in 1987 when she came to teach at the Suzuki Strings of Dallas workshop during the first year I was teaching cello. I had just learned the basics of playing cello a few months earlier and had yet to receive Suzuki training it. Gwen’s affirmation and encouragement to me after working with my little “cello boys” was reassuring.

Gwen traveled abroad to find good quality, yet affordable instruments for students. She invited us to her home to try them out, offering them at unbelievably low prices. (Gwen was the inspiration for Young Musicians, an online supply store run by her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Jeanette Runyon.)

Gwen brought Masuzawa-sensei from Japan to Texas and invited me to play for him. He helped me achieve a simple change in my bowing technique, which has benefited my violin playing ever since.

The Suzuki community in the DFW area has lost someone who was very giving and precious. Gwen never “tooted her own horn.” It took me years to realize the extent of her gifts and contributions.
—Jackie Luce

Gwen Runyon with airplane.

Gwen was a wonderful teacher who showed much patience, caring, and sincerity with her students.
—Rex Bozarth

I love how Gwen’s eyes danced! I remember that she’d go to Stevens Point to observe teachers and bring back the very best ones to teach at her TCU Institute.
—Bruce Erwin

I did many hours of observation of Gwen’s cello teaching, and one of my favorite images that she would give students was to ask them to make their bows “swim” deeply in the string like a tuna under the water, rather than a shark whose fin would show on the top. Her endless hours of dedication to string teaching and Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy through the TCJC program and the TCU summer Institute were amazing. She is a hero.
—Joanne Erwin

One day I asked if any of the NTSA members would like to host a teacher exchange meeting at their home and Gwen immediately raised her hand and said that she’d be delighted. Her face beamed like a young schoolgirl who had been asked to prepare a dinner for the President! On the day of the meeting Gwen was a gracious and warm hostess. We filled her living room, shared our ideas and ate her wonderful cookies fresh from the oven. Being in Gwen’s space was like coming home. She connected with everyone; she was at once a grandmother, mother, sister, colleague and best friend. Gwen always made sure that everyone was comfortable, and she always had a story or two to tell about her Suzuki journey. Gwen Runyon lived the Suzuki philosophy every day. She brought out the best in all of us and challenged us to be even better. The world is a better place because of the life of this great woman.
—Jenny Burton

Jonathan “Ethan” Tracy Atkinson, Suzuki guitar teacher, died on Saturday, October 8, 2005 in Houston, TX at the age of 46 from pancreatic cancer. He studied with master teachers, William Kossler and Frank Longay, and was asked for his input into the first Suzuki Method Classical Guitar Book. Ethan played the repertoire beautifully and was a shining example for his students. To learn more about Ethan’s life and his memorial service, please click below.