It was my pleasure to be able to attend the SAGWA (Suzuki Association of the Greater Washington Area) Festival in October. It was one of many festivals or workshop weekends that take place in the Americas throughout the year. Festivals, institutes and workshops help build community in our Suzuki family.
Another opportunity to be a part of building Suzuki community is at the Suzuki Association of the Americas’ Conference in Minneapolis this May. I urge you all to attend, not only to learn, but to feel a part of the Suzuki community and to know that you are part of a vital organization that is making a difference all over the world.
The SAA Board is a facilitator for community building in many ways. I have invited two of our Board members, Betty Wahlig and Gail Lange, both in the third year of their terms, to share their perspectives on Suzuki community and Board service.
Perspectives from Betty:
As a parent of six Suzuki violin children, I come to the SAA Board after twenty-one years of attending lessons, monitoring daily practicing, and living firsthand the challenges intrinsic to the concept of the Suzuki triangle. This unique perspective has, by its very nature, focused much of my attention as a Board member on the parental portion of the Suzuki triangle because I know how essential the parent is to any child’s success. I am, therefore, gratified by the emphasis that the SAA places on community-building between itself and parents, between parents, and between parents and teachers and students. I am impressed with the vehicles for communication that are initiated to encourage such communication: the American Suzuki Journal, Conferences, Leadership retreats, the SAA website, Parents as Partners DVDs and videos, etc. I gain satisfaction in my Board service in knowing that the SAA is concerned with keeping the legacy of Dr. Suzuki alive and insuring that his educational method and philosophy are preserved for future generations from destructive adulteration or fragmentation.
During my term of SAA Board service, I am particularly proud to attend conferences and events where I meet parents currently involved in Suzuki education, observe their commitment to Suzuki principles and their children, and know that the SAA is genuinely working to maximize and enhance their Suzuki experience. Since 1971 when I was first introduced to Suzuki violin, I have been a vocal and ardent advocate for Suzuki instruction. My SAA Board service has given me a window on the current strength of the Suzuki community that proves to me, personally, that Suzuki education remains alive and well in the Americas…and I find that incredibly personally satisfying and a healthy assessment of parental strength in this hemisphere.
My vision for the SAA in the next ten years is that, as it refines and continues its current mission, it increases its visibility in the Suzuki community as a vital and central organization that can meaningfully impact education throughout the Americas. I think many of the answers parents and teachers ardently search for are intrinsic to Suzuki philosophy. My vision for the SAA is to share what it has with anyone involved in education who will listen, to make its light shine in a world searching for guidelines and sound principles.
—Betty Wahlig, Corning, New York
From Gail:
I was asked recently what was satisfying about being on the Board. My first response was my delight at being part of a very diverse group, all of whom are equally dedicated to the ideals of Dr. Suzuki. I love these Board meeting weekends which combine extremely focused work sessions and fun-filled evenings at dinner in a whole variety of great restaurants in whatever city we are meeting. New friendships have developed with other Board members, people I might never have come to know. What is more, none of these new friends is a pianist! Certainly, I have gained a broader appreciation of the vast domain of the SAA. Being a Suzuki teacher has changed my life, so the opportunity to serve on the governing body, so to speak, has given me a wider perspective of what I can accomplish in my studio, and how to make my students feel part of the world Suzuki community.
So, what have I done for the SAA, as a Board member? A significant aspect of being on the Board is participating in committees. Each Board member serves on 2-3 committees. Having been assigned to chair the Honorary Board committee, I have had the pleasure of inviting outstanding individuals to become a member of the Honorary Board. It has been so uplifting to hear of their support for the Suzuki movement, how they are eager to serve. Now, I believe, the Honorary Board, composed of educators, entertainers and politicians as well as musicians, is more extensive and more representative of the Suzuki community. The benefits to SAA and to the Honorary Board are mutual. SAA offers the members of the Honorary Board recognition, while Honorary Board members in turn inspire our members by their passion for music or for their life’s work.
As a Board member from Canada, I was thrilled that an SAA Retreat was finally held in Canada—at the Nottawasaga resort north of Toronto in May, 2007. I was excited to help with this project. More Canadians participated in his event than have ever done so in the past. The Retreat helped more Canadians feel a part of the Suzuki community.
During my 2 1/2 years on the Board, I have gained a perspective on how SAA programs are put in place. While to some of the membership, it may seem like SAA moves slowly, I recognize that because of our diversity and the wide geographical area represented by our membership, significant changes cannot be taken lightly. A case in point is teacher certification. Discussions had been going on before my term, and we are just now about to enjoy the well-researched results.
More important innovative programs will be forthcoming in the future. When my term ends, I have every confidence in the creative skills of future Boards and the amazing energy and perspective of our CEO Pam Brasch.
—Gail Lange, Guelph, Ontario
