Christine strongly believes that "Every Child Can!" In fact, every human can. Whether or not the desired result is attained or not depends on the speed of learning, which is influenced by the consistency of practice - correlating more to one’s character rather than to “smartness” or IQ. Therefore, incorporating character training in her group music lessons differentiates her from most other teachers. She also emphasizes the importance of music reading and finds it easy to teach music theory by adopting this unconventional concept: reading starts from hearing, senses, and experience. For the development of musical skills in the young, she finds it most effective to use a holistic approach including singing, dancing, object lessons, analogies, and questions to aid discovery. Thoughtful demonstrations of piano technique are carefully crafted into the weekly lesson plan to sharpen each child's discernment of good tone. Her goal is to inspire her students to enter in to the fascinating world of music - guiding them to be at their best subconscious state of learning and feel accomplished at the end of the lesson.
The suzuki method
Please click here to read a summary of the essential tenets of Dr. Suzuki's philosophy.
Why have i stayed with the Suzuki method for 30 years?
To tell you this is a superior method to teach a child to learn music is to float around on the surface of Hawaiian Pacific Ocean beaches. There’s so much more beauty yet to be discovered underneath it - the coral reef is one!
With my 30 years of experience of being both a parent and a teacher, I can say I totally embrace the fundamental concept behind the method: Nurtured by Love! Nurturing a child is a way of life for me, and it does not differ whether the child is my own or of another parent.
There is no job more important than bringing up a child to their fullest potential with characters that are not self-seeking. The responsibility lies within the immediate family, and extends to all that come in contact with the child. Therefore, teachers play an important role as well. It is not a quick or easy task, yet it is beyond worth it.
There is a Chinese proverb that speaks to the proper order of things: “Train self, Harmonize family, Rule the country, Make peace to the world.”
Personality develops in early childhood, and even in the womb. Again a Chinese proverb says: “Year 3 determines age 80”. Although it is never too late to learn, you all understand the importance of starting EARLY!
Parent, teacher, and child must form a positive symbiotic relationship with parent and teacher creating the 4th factor of environment conducive to the thriving growth of the child. Dr. Suzuki taught me how to have this big aortic pump to ALL children, and his life is a testimony to what he preaches. I was so drawn to his loving way of demonstrating and his huge heart to help children develop to their best that nothing compares to this nurturing way of cultivation. Music teaching is just an instrument to accomplish an end goal of developing a BEAUTIFUL HEART. It is with this beautiful, loving, anchoring goal that the patient process becomes a GOAL ITSELF. Not only does this provide me with day-to-day energy to love teaching, but also joy as a teacher.
I have a calling to love children to help them be beautiful, disciplined, successful, and confident people as they communicate with their hearts through the universal and refined language of music!