The SAA regrets to announce the passing of Suzuki Piano pedagogue Constance Starr at her home in Boulder, CO, Monday, August 26 . Prior to her pioneering work in the Suzuki piano movement, Connie had established a career as a noted performer and teacher in both piano and viola. Additionally, she and her husband William Starr, had been proponents and founders of the Montessori Association in their Knoxville, TN community, showcasing their intense interest in early childhood education. In 1968-69, Connie, along with her husband Bill and their 8 children, spent 14 months in Japan observing in depth Suzuki piano teaching, both in students’ lessons and performances. Upon their return to the US, Connie wrote the first articles and gave the first workshops introducing Suzuki piano to American piano teachers. Subsequently she served as Chair of the SAA Piano Committee and as piano editor for the SAA Journal. She was sought after as a clinician and Teacher-Trainer in the SAA region and abroad for institutes and workshops, and as a faculty member for numerous international conferences. Connie is also remembered by parents and teachers around the globe for her authorship along with Bill of the seminal work, To Learn with Love; A Companion for Suzuki Parents, still the gold standard in Suzuki parent education.
On behalf of the entire Suzuki community, the SAA extends its condolences to the Starr family, and its appreciation and gratitude for Connie’s decades-long service and guidance to countless families and teachers in the Talent Education movement world-wide. Thank you to her family for sharing her life with all of us.
Click here to read her full obituary.
Please feel free to post your memories in the comments below.
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Comments
3 posts
Dear Connie was the reason I am involved in Suzuki Piano today. I was a faculty member at the University of Tennessee where Bill was the Head of our department. I had observed Connie’s wonderful students and had heard Bill’s advanced violin students. I was so excited about this “new” way of learning to play an instrument. Connie was my guide and my mentor for many years. So happy that I was able to study with her and get to know this lovely, gentle woman.
San Clemente, CA
262 posts
Thank you, Connie, for pioneering Suzuki Piano here in the U.S. It changed my life as a teacher. My condolences to the family and friends.
Lori Bolt
Guelph, ON, Canada
116 posts
Suzuki piano teachers will mourn the passing of Connie, who was really a founder of Suzuki piano in North America. She interpreted Dr. Suzuki’s ideas for pianists. In particular, she recognized the advantages that the young Suzuki pianist has in learning to read music. Her research resulted in the Music Road series of books used by hundreds of Suzuki teachers.
In conversations with Connie, even in the last 2-3 years, her interest in Suzuki piano was ongoing. I will miss her and her counsel. My sincere condolences to Bill and their family.