Amy and mom Vicki Abramowitz in Kyoto, Japan
My mom took me to my first Suzuki violin lesson at the age of six. I had watched older kids playing the violin, and I aspired to create the same beautiful sounds I had heard. My mother had no musical background but we excitedly set off on a new journey together. The Suzuki Method and the violin were foreign to us, and we quickly found that they required practice and encouragement. With the support of my mother and my curiosity about music we learned together.
I grew each day by learning new pieces, performing, and traveling to institutes. Each Suzuki book became an adventure, beginning with listening to the recording, followed by hours of practice, and formally ending with a recital. The process of learning new music was exciting and fun-filled. The hours necessary to master the music and the unrelenting alterations that teachers suggested about each note tested our commitment and persistence. In the end, my mom and I relied on each other to continue, and the rewards of Suzuki have always outweighed the struggles of learning to play.
I shared each new experience connected to Suzuki with my mom and it helped form a deep bond between us. Not only did Suzuki connect us to music, but it also taught us to overcome challenges in unfamiliar territory.
Excerpt only. Read the complete article in the American Suzuki Journal.
