Listening to Doris Preucil’s violin group performing the Schubert Ave Maria at the 2011 National Conference of the American String Teachers Association in March gave me goose bumps. Being surrounded by a number of our Suzuki teachers who were present at this conference, seeing Alice Joy Lewis and her husband, Tom, in the front row, and hearing the piece that inspired Suzuki to learn to play the violin was a moment in time that reminded me of the greatness of what we do and the special people we work with. Beauty, artistry, education, friendship, admiration, respect, and wonderment are all…
Teri Einfeldt
Articles 1–20 of 21
Important Ideas to Remember in Your Role as a Suzuki Parent
ASJ 40.2, page 38
Chair’s Column
Do you ever wonder how you got to this point in your life? Which path did you originally choose to follow that led you to the place that now surrounds your everyday being?
Oftentimes I find myself reflecting on my life as a child and how extremely different it was from my life now as an adult. What happened that inspired me to move away from the safety of my supportive, loving family and follow a dream that differed from the expectations of my parents, yet which brings me extreme happiness and satisfaction?
Reflecting back to my junior year in high…
Chair’s Column
Lifelong learning is an important value of the SAA. It was of utmost importance to Dr. Suzuki that we all continue to grow and acquire knowledge throughout our entire career. This is an easy goal to pursue as long as we allow ourselves to take the time to notice that no matter where we are there are things surrounding us waiting to be learned.
As I scan my 30-some years since being in a formal schooling environment, I appreciate how much I have come to absorb and learn from situations where I would expect to glean more expertise. Even more surprising are the situations in which I have learned things where I never would have anticipated taking away useful knowledge. Staying alert and observant allows one to expand one’s knowledge and apply readily available general information to personal situations and life endeavors.
Chair’s Column
Looking back to Memorial Day weekend and the 14th SAA Conference, I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be able to have spent a holiday weekend learning and socializing with such amazing people. Although there were no hot dogs and hamburgers cooking on the grill in the Minneapolis Hilton, there were hundreds of ideas sizzling and baking in every room we occupied.
I never considered how busy and occupied I would be at the conference in my role as “Board Chair.” Having prepared my four public presentations and practiced my…
On the Essential Values of Chamber Music
ASJ 38.4, page 22
Chair’s Column
In looking back at my career as a Suzuki teacher, I am struck by the fact that I have experienced many different teaching situations that have helped me to grow as a person in ways I could never have imagined. At first I ran my own program in Corning, NY, which had been originally started by Lorraine Fink. I made my own rules, kept track of the money—things that those who run their own programs need to do. It was there also that I met my late husband, David. After that I moved to Birmingham, AL, for a year to…
Be Prepared for Summer Institutes
Are your students attending an institute this summer?
If so, it’s time to help them prepare to get the most out of the experience.
Here are some ideas from a presentation by Teri Einfeldt, SAA 13th Conference, May 25, 2008.
Tips for the home teacher:
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Explain to the student and parent that the purpose of a master class is not to learn new pieces.
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Define and help student prepare a polished piece to play for the private lesson/master class. Often a good guideline is a piece four pieces behind the one on which…
Chair’s Column
Life is good. Currently I am in Puerto Rico preparing to teach at a workshop for the students of Susan Ashby. As I sit at lunch with my colleagues, discussing universal work-related issues, followed by an intense sharing of “teacher talk,” it suddenly hits me that there are three of “us” who are well over 50, and two of “them” who are well under 35. In spite of this age diversity we sit and talk for hours about challenges that we all share in our teaching and…
Chair’s Column
The sun is shining brightly as I sit and write this column. It is a week before Thanksgiving and although this holiday will be long over by the time you are reading this, I hope you will join me in giving thanks for the very special lives we have all encountered due to our original mentor, Shinichi Suzuki.
In early October, a very special event was held outside of Boston for Suzuki teacher trainers from all over the world. This was the first meeting of its kind and will become a part of Suzuki history. Teacher trainers were represented from all…
Ask the Experts #8: Teens
Last summer, focus groups at summer Institutes were asked to submit questions for a panel of “Suzuki Experts” to answer. This is the 8th installment.
What are good ways to keep students involved through Junior and Senior High?
This is such a great question. Teens are involved in so many activities that are demanding of their time—not to mention homework. Helping them keep a good attitude about their music is critical. Time encroachments mean less time to practice and when a teen feels unprepared, they can become defensive, sullen, and apathetic. I always say as long as they keep a good attitude in their lessons and are open for learning, I can deal.
Chair’s Column
The thought of being Chair of the SAA Board is causing me great excitement. Although I have had a two-year “break in” period, I feel there is still so much to learn, given the scope of our organization. With over 7500 members in 10 areas (violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, flute, guitar, harp, recorder, organ, plus voice, Suzuki in the Schools and ECE) serving teachers, parents and administrators, we are a diversified group with a wide variety of needs.
I would like to publicly thank Diane Schroeder, my predecessor, for the gentle patience, vision and financial wisdom that she shared with…
Revising Suzuki Piano Books 5-7
The International Suzuki Piano Committee, working with Mr. E.L. Lancaster of Alfred Publishing Company, met in Boulder, CO, in November 2008 to begin work on revisions to Suzuki Piano Method Books 4-7. History was made for Suzuki Piano as a result of our decisions for the revisions of these books. All five regions of the ISA (SAA, ESA, PPSA, TERI and ASA) voted in favor of changes and additions to the repertoire to provide greater stylistic variety to the Suzuki Piano Repertoire. SAA Teacher Trainers are very excited about the changes and look forward to the publication of these new books.
Annual Meeting 2009
The 2009 Annual Membership Meeting was broadcast live on the web on April 4th, 2009 from the SAA office in Boulder, Colorado. It features the new teacher development video “A Suzuki Teacher’s Pledge”, a tour of the SAA office, and lots of news and trivia.
Broadcast correspondents: Diane Schroeder, Teri Einfeldt, Christie Felsing, Lamar Blum, Ruth Engle Larner, Mark George, Marilyn Kesler, Carol Ourada, Beth Titterington, and Pam Brasch
Michael Yaffe: Building Bridges for Suzuki in the University and the Community
22 years ago, when he first moved to CT from Fairfax, VA to become the director of the University of Hartford’s Hartt School Community Division, Michael Yaffe had a clear vision of everything he was hoping to accomplish in his tenure at his new job. His belief in and love of children, his passion for music and his continual search for quality and excellence made this union a good fit. One of his first ambitious projects at Hartt was to bring on an expert in the field of Early Childhood Music Education, and to hire a violin teacher trainer for the existing Suzuki Program. Having a 6 year old daughter and a son on the way, it could have been interpreted as a selfish plan, but if you know Michael, that is not a possibility.
Read more of Michael Yaffe: Building Bridges for Suzuki in the University and the Community »
Playing By the Rules in Institute Teaching
Teri Einfeldt highlights the unspoken and undocumented thoughts about what to do and what not to do when teaching at an Institute. Topics such as supporting the home teacher, not teaching a new piece, how to keep the child motivated while working on tedious remedial techniques are among the most controversial topics to be discussed. Lesson structure, time management, and inclusion of all will be addressed. Also includes will be advise for the home teacher and their attending students concerning core repertory, review, and instrument condition.
Introducing Joseph Silverstein
What projects are you involved with at the moment?
At the moment I am actively involved guest conducting, soloing, playing chamber music, teaching, and just enjoying music as much as ever being an amateur in the very best sense of the word.
Master Teacher, Class Teacher: A thank you for the recharge
ASJ 34.1, page 76
Wait! Is This Student Ready for Book 2?
ASJ 28.3, page 50
An Unforgettable Trip to Japan: Teacher’s Viewpoint
ASJ 25.1, page 50
