Mr. Eric R. Watson

Eric Watson
What attracted me to the Suzuki method at first is it reminded me of the relationship I had with my first teacher, Chris Daffef, when I started violin at 8 years old.
After high school I did a year at York university and then went on to RCM where I studied with Eugene Kash, Leo Wigdorchik and Jasha Milkis, eventually getting my ARCT.
I spent two years in the RCM orchestra, and two summers in the Canadian chamber orchestra on
scholarship at the Banff centre. This was a wonderful experience, playing with some great solo artists
and getting to watch great musicians and participate in master classes. Two idyllic summers:)
In the 80’s I mostly freelanced and played in various orchestras. In the 90’s I decided to teach, and
started taking night courses at UofT and Suzuki teacher training classes with Helen Brunner at
Queens in Kingston, for five summers. At the same time I started teaching at RCM and enrolled at UofT
in Music Education, continuing my studies with Milkis and Wigdorchik, graduating in 2000.
I have a son and a daughter (who just graduated Uof T)
I recently moved from High Park to the Queensway/ Park lawn area
In January I retired from RCM after almost 30 years and teach at my apartment and at Knox church downtown (Spadina/Bloor)
What I love about the Suzuki philosophy is the idea that all children have musical talent, and it can be a
door to helping the student develop self confidence and self discipline as the child becomes successful in learning pieces. The method itself is very gentle, using small steps with lots of positive reinforcement
and encouragement, and each piece builds on what the child learned before.This is why most students are successful in learning their instrument. Most of all the feeling I get when I teach reminds me of the relationship between me and my first teacher.
I have had many students who started at age four or so and have gone on to UofT, Julliard or Curtis or Boston, but each student is unique, and I never get bored of teaching twinkle. Every student is an adventure