In Memoriam: Lorraine Fink (1931-2022)

Renowned SAA Suzuki pedagogue Lorraine Fink passed away on Jan. 27, 2022, after a brief illness. She was one of the first Suzuki violin teachers in the United States. A dedicated Suzuki teacher and trainer, Lorraine began her journey with the Suzuki Method under Dr. Suzuki in 1966. She was trained at the Julliard School, Music Academy of the West, and San Francisco Conservatory. Lorraine taught internationally at institutes and workshops, served on the SAA Board of Directors, edited the American Suzuki Journal, and contributed as a member of the SAA Violin Committee. She also served as the Suzuki String Coordinator at Colburn Community School of Performing Arts.

“With the recent passing of Lorraine Fink, the Suzuki community has lost not only one of its finest pioneers in the United States but a true professional who made enormous contributions through her excellent studio teaching, her vast number of workshops, her institute and conference presentations worldwide, the countless articles she wrote and the scores she edited, as well as through the magazine, Suzuki World, which she edited. In addition, Lorraine was a member of the international committee that undertook the recent revision and publication of the *Suzuki Violin School *and subsequently presented their work at SAA conferences.

I met Lorraine at the very first Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, in 197l. All of us teachers were eager to observe each other’s teaching and learn as much as we could. Lorraine was one of my favorite teachers to watch; she was so clear in her goals for the children and communicated her ideas effectively to students and parents. She was a true professional; lessons with her were fun and supportive, yet serious business. 

Over the years, Lorraine became a close friend to me and to my family, who often traveled with me to summer institutes, as did Lorraine’s. Her daughter, Kristine, became a favorite babysitter to our oldest daughter, Karen. I have wonderful memories of many jovial dinners that institute faculty enjoyed together on free evenings. One, in particular, stands out: an impromptu dinner that some of us threw together at Lorraine’s daughter’s new apartment in New Orleans, where we all sat on the floor (no furniture yet!) and ate too many crawfish (which we regretted the next day!).

Many will fondly remember and deeply miss this fine teacher, great colleague, and wonderful friend.” 

-Mark Bjork, professor emeritus of violin and pedagogy at the University of Minnesota School of Music

“Lorraine was trained in some of the best schools and conservatories in America. She was also introduced to the new (and very unusual) Suzuki approach early in 1966 when Dr. Suzuki came to America to teach his Project Super. She enthusiastically adopted his philosophies and pedagogical approaches. Lorraine also served the budding SAA in as many positions as she could and published several books which students and parents still use, including Quick Steps to Note Reading and A Parent’s Guide to String Instrument Study.

When I met Lorraine, she was a formidable woman who knew what she wanted and how to get it. I admit that it took some time for me to feel comfortable with her, but after many meals together at conferences and institutes, I realized that she was a generous and loyal friend. We roomed together for many years and always talked about new teaching ideas we had heard.

Lorraine loved her cats and beautiful backyard in Sherman Oaks, California. She also loved teaching—both students and teachers. I will never forget the time she invited me to visit the Colburn School in Los Angeles, where she was Suzuki String Coordinator. The minute the Suzuki recital started in Zipper Hall, it was apparent Lorraine had the rare ability to recognize and hire only the best of the best teachers! Most are still at Colburn, and the results are reflective of Lorraine’s wisdom as well as their remarkable skills.

As our friendship became extremely close, it was difficult to see her age. Every now and then, when we were together in a new room or restaurant, she would fall down. She would smile or sometimes laugh while I tried to help her up. ‘Attitude is everything…so I keep smiling!’ she often said. I loved her and the wonderful, faithful friend she was for so many years. I will always miss her!”

-Susan Kempter, senior lecturer in music at the University of New Mexico; founder/director of string pedagogy and the UNM Lab School

“Whenever I think of Lorraine, my mind is drawn back to the first time we met in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Of course, I knew of Lorraine from her laudable reputation in Suzuki circles. But we had never met in person. It was my very first Suzuki workshop, and I was nervous knowing that Lorraine was the only other clinician.

My first glance at Suzuki icon Lorraine Fink was on the stage of a play-together. She suggested that we start the program with the Bach Double. I knew that this was relatively new material for the children, so I chose a cautious tempo for the entrance of the second violins. Lorraine was leading the first violins, who were mostly the teachers. 

As we approached the entrance of the firsts, Lorraine gave me a side glance as if to say, ‘I don’t think so,’ and then brought the firsts in at Matsumoto tempo! I hung on for dear life, and the students kept up. I learned a great lesson that day about raising the expectation and allowing the students to go for it. 

Lorraine welcomed me with open arms at that institute, beginning a friendship that continued for the next 30 years. At our beloved Ithaca Suzuki Institute each summer, Lorraine would tell so many stories about the early days when the Suzuki method was first being developed in this country. Dr. Suzuki used to come to Ithaca and work with the children and faculty from the area. Lorraine and I also bonded at Atlanta Suzuki Institute, where there was plenty of time for socializing and hearing stories about Dr. Suzuki from those who had worked directly with him. I loved observing Lorraine’s teaching. She was direct, honest, and had a wicked sense of humor. She knew how to challenge a student to bring out their best. I learned how to be a better workshop and institute teacher from watching her. 

I’ll always remember my last visit with Lorraine several years ago. She was working as a member of the international committee that was revising the Suzuki violin books. I happened to be doing a teacher training workshop near her home, so Lorraine invited me over for dinner. We spoke about the revisions, and she was very interested in what I thought about the changes. Then, we had a lovely dinner and reminisced as old friends about our shared experiences in this incredible Suzuki community. 

Lorraine, your contribution to the Suzuki movement is invaluable. My deepest condolences to her daughter, Kristine, and her extended family.”

-Edward Kreitman, founder and director of the Western Springs School of Talent Education and the Naperville Suzuki School

Memories of Lorraine From Southern California

“At our holiday celebrations, the front of Zipper Hall Stage was lined with beautiful poinsettia plans that Lorraine had provided and given to the Suzuki faculty after the concerts. When she took the stage to lead the children, it was obvious that they respected her highly. They watched and followed her intently in a way that always created a dynamic and spontaneous beautiful performance.”

-Carey Beth Hockett, SAA cello teacher trainer; Suzuki cello faculty at Colburn Community School of Performing Arts

“Lorraine had a powerful positive effect on string pedagogy. My memories of her are borne of a relationship that lasted many years, even from before we hired her at Colburn School. I started developing an appreciation for her wry sense of humor when I had lunch with her at a Suzuki Institute decades ago. I can remember the conversation vividly. Lorraine had the ability to judge her colleagues, friends, students, and parents with a kind equanimity. Nevertheless, her values and ethic would emerge in the tone and inflection of her voice and, without her pointing it out overtly, you knew exactly where she stood on any issue. She had a strong sense of ethics and a deep commitment to her teaching and to the ideals of the Suzuki pedagogy. I also remember her fast driving. Many years ago, I hitched a ride with her to a John Kendall seminar in Flagstaff, Arizona, and I was terrified as we sped across the Mojave Desert in her little Honda Civic at God-knows-what speed. I was able to keep from critiquing the driving until we were on the last leg of the trip home, going downhill from Cajon Pass, California, with Lorraine tailgating all the slow-pokes in her way. I might have kidded her for some time afterward about my terror, and she took it in stride. She was definitely a force of nature, and I will miss her very much.”>

-Richard Schwabe, violin faculty and former chair of the String Department at Colburn Community School of Performing Arts

“Lorraine Fink was my first full-time faculty appointment at Colburn and certainly one of the most consequential. I had known her and her work going back to our time in Athens, Ohio, in the early 1970s, and she was a natural fit to build the Suzuki program. One could not ask for a better colleague, always eager to share her vast experience and to lend a sympathetic ear.”

-Joseph Thayer, former dean and executive director of the Colburn School

“Lorraine Fink was always an impressive and amazing person and teacher: a true compelling presence. She was creative with her solutions in every situation that arose. Lorraine’s wit was sharp as a tack, and her humor added life to everyone who knew her. She was an all-encompassing role model for Suzuki Teachers. Thank you, Lorraine!”

-Liz Arbus, SAA violin teacher trainer; cofounder of Suzuki Talent Education of Pasadena

“Lorraine liked going to parties, hosting small gatherings, eating Chinese food, shopping at Trader Joe’s, laughing, telling stories, buying two tacos for $0.99 at Jack in the Box, and collecting rooster memorabilia, but she really loved sharing about her family, recalling stories about Dr. Suzuki, and teaching. I admired her determination, her willingness to battle the freeway traffic even in her 80s, and her joyful approach to teaching. She was always able to avoid dwelling on her ailments—she would say, ‘It’s just A-G-E.’ The top three things that I have gleaned from her are: 1. Always teach with a smile—especially when correcting a student. 2. Give students something new at each lesson. 3. End on a positive note. Lorraine embraced Dr. Suzuki’s way of teaching—she loved to teach, and her students loved her!”

-Margaret Shimizu, Suzuki violin faculty and former Suzuki string coordinator at Colburn Community School of Performing Arts

“I got to know Lorraine Fink when I started my teaching in Los Angeles at the Colburn School in 2002. Lorraine was the head of our Suzuki department at the time I arrived. We instantly hit it off and became fast friends. She was a fine musician and keenly intelligent. We did a lot of team teaching with Suzuki groups and various ensembles, especially in the early days of my arrival at the school. I remember so many ingenious teaching moments of Lorraine’s pedagogical prowess in the classroom or in a private lesson; they are etched in my mind, and I use them every day. 

Some of my fondest Lorraine memories are the practical jokes we used to play on each other in group class—we had a similar sense of humor, and it is was fun to lighten things up for the kids at times. One evening, we were having our dress rehearsal for the Violin Ensemble, our entry-level orchestral ensemble of about 24 kids in Books 3-4. I was conducting, and Lorraine had stepped out for a drink of water. I was using her ‘special’ baton, which was basically a big stick painted white that she used to conduct every concert. Well, during a fortissimo moment, I brought the stick out with such force that it hit my stand and cracked in half. The students were both horrified and laughing out loud—the concertmaster looked up and said, ‘um, you’re in trouble.’ I quickly found the other half of the baton and pushed the pieces together until they held and gently lay the baton back on the stand. 

Lorraine came back on stage, and we were all silent. She looked at me like, ‘what’s going on here?’ ‘Oh, it’s your turn, Ms. Fink,’ I said. The students were stifling laughing and sheepishly got ready. She picked up the baton and held it out to begin, and right before the downbeat, the top half fell off and hit the stand with a loud kerplunk! She looked at it, and then with an ‘I’m going to kill you’ smile, she looked at me for a long moment and then started to conduct. I miss you, Lorraine!

Many fond memories and indelible moments of musical insight, Lorraine left us all a legacy of musical riches for which I am so grateful.”

-Michael McLean, Suzuki violin faculty and composition instructor at Colburn Community School of Performing Arts