Memories of Matsumoto from Suzuki Graduates and Pioneers

An Overview of the Project

By Amanda Schubert

I have often reminisced about my time as a Kenkyusei in Matsumoto with Dr. Suzuki. My mother has encouraged me many times to write a book about it. Then, in the spring of 2022, I received an email from Allen Lieb. He asked me if I would take on this project of contacting Matsumoto Suzuki Graduates and Pioneers, asking them to send me their memories of their time studying in Matsumoto. These memories were to be posted on the ISA website as “Memories of Matsumoto from Suzuki Graduates and Pioneers.” The purpose was to preserve and share the invaluable lessons we learned while living in Japan and studying with Dr. Suzuki, Dr. Kataoka, Mr. Takahashi, and Mr. Nagase.

I told Allen that I would be happy to head this important project. He said it would take about one year to do. That was optimistic on his part, as it took me about two years. Now I am excited that the initial posting is on the ISA website!

To start the project, I was sent a scan of a typed list of graduates. The list included people from all over the world who went to Matsumoto long term to study the Suzuki Method. They came from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, England, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, New Zealand, the Philippines, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. I was to communicate with everyone through email. I was grateful for the list, but (not to offend anyone’s typewriter quality) it looked like it had been typed on a typewriter with incorrect and malformed letters. Much of the contact information was outdated or missing, and some email addresses were non-existent. If I were to do this by email, some research would be necessary to clean up the list. In addition, there were pioneers who worked extensively with Dr. Suzuki in Matsumoto in the early days, but did not graduate and, therefore, were not included on the list of graduates. Only one of these was easy to find: my father, Lacy McLarry, who is 93 years old and, happily, did contribute to this project. But, in finding many other graduates and pioneers, I requested and relied heavily upon the assistance from others. Eventually, the list became more legible and complete, and I was able to send off the initial batch of emails. I attached a list of people I had not yet found and asked for assistance from anyone who might know their whereabouts. Fortunately, with the help of many graduates who responded right away, the European Suzuki Association, the Pan Pacific Suzuki Association, and the resources and staff of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, that “lost people” list became shorter as the project progressed. 

I finally had a list of 118 graduates and pioneers that included 78 violinists, 20 pianists, 13 flutists, 6 cellists, and 1 oboist/recorder player. Of those, sixteen had passed away, leaving 102 still with us. Forty-five participated in the initial posting for this project, or 44% of the 102.

The email I sent to everyone consisted of an explanatory letter, a questionnaire, and the list of “lost people” mentioned above. The questionnaire was in two parts: 1) Basic Information, such as name, address, etc., and 2) Memories. Contributors emailed their questionnaires back to me as Word documents. They also sent me photos of themselves in Matsumoto, as well as current photos, which I included with their memories. I edited all of this and then sent the drafts back to the contributors for proofreading.

As I read about the memories in email after email, I was transported back to Matsumoto. I was reminded of Dr. Suzuki’s mindfulness, his studio, the Kaikan, and the Japanese culture, as well as the challenges of living in a foreign country. I was reminded of how we listened, watched, practiced, laughed, and absorbed our environment. We had important lessons to learn about our playing and about the development of our character. We learned through the Suzuki Method, which, in turn, shaped our lives. I had always been conscious of this fact. I had heard my father’s stories time and again, and I had experienced them myself. But the project brought everything to the forefront of my thoughts. What a profound impact Dr. Suzuki had on us and in the world. How fortunate we were to experience it firsthand.

At first, I did not know what the response would be to my email and questionnaire. But I quickly learned that the contributors were enthusiastic and excited to share their stories. This project provided the impetus to slow down and reflect on our Matsumoto memories and the magnitude of our experiences there. We sat down and began to write. We pulled out our old photos and reminisced. I thank the contributors for taking valuable time to do this. I believe that our memories, collected as one monumental project, are much more powerful than memories just stored in our heads or scattered in different places. For many contributors, this was an opportunity to share their memories before they were lost. How wonderful to be able to share them with countless others for the future of Suzuki! 

Throughout this process, while I had not met many of these contributors, I felt as if I knew them as old friends. We had much in common with our Matsumoto stories. Later, as the project was coming to fruition, I did meet many of these incredible people in October 2023, at the Third International Suzuki Teacher Trainer Convention in Matsumoto. What a great reunion!

The Memories of Matsumoto project is ongoing. Edits can be made, and stories may be added. So, if you are one of the Matsumoto Suzuki Graduates and Pioneers that I missed, and if you would like to contribute to the project, or if you know of anyone in this category, please contact me. 

I will not go into detail about the incredible memories that are now on the ISA website. That is for you to discover. You can find them on the International Suzuki Association website by going to Publications & Videos, Memories of Matsumoto.

I wish to thank Allen Lieb for entrusting me with this endeavor, the ESA, the PPSA, the SAA, and the many individuals who steered me in the right direction, and the ISA staff for posting the Memories of Matsumoto. I especially thank all the contributors who responded to my many emails, met deadlines, and sent me their wonderful memories. I am deeply thankful for my dad, the pioneer who guided me in the Suzuki Method from before I can remember. And, Mom, this isn’t a book yet, but I thank you for your encouragement and for being a great Suzuki parent and grandparent, through many years of practice! Finally, I thank Dr. Suzuki, who is responsible for so much goodness in the world. May we continue to carry the torch for him. 

Amanda Schubert, violinist, holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in violin performance, and a Teaching Certificate from the Talent Education Research Institute, Matsumoto, Japan. A member of the Honolulu Symphony and the Brevard Music Festival for many years, she currently freelances in Texas, is a Suzuki Teacher Trainer, and is Director of the Suzuki Academy of Waco.