If the Suzuki method had a tagline, this would be it. Shinichi Suzuki believed that all children can develop ability in any area, as long as they are reared in an environment conducive to that skill.

Suzuki’s original intent was for the parent to learn before the child started. When the child observed the parent learning, they naturally wanted to try, too.

Nowadays, you don’t have to take lessons first - we know the kids already want to get in on the action. But, the beauty of Suzuki is that the parent and child work together on violin every single day.

Suzuki had the epiphany one day that every child learns to speak their native language, no matter how objectively complicated it may be. He realized this is because the child is exposed to the language from birth - known today as an immersive language learning.

He took this realization and applied it to music. Suzuki students listen to reference recordings of the songs they are learning each day to help create a musical environment and make it easier to learn.

“The Suzuki Triangle” is how we describe the relationships that must develop between child, parent, and teacher.

Each side of the triangle is equally important. The teacher has the violin knowledge and the parent has the knowledge about their child. The teacher and the parent collaborate to help the child learn successfully.

Suzuki was much more interested in teaching children to have “noble hearts” through their violin studies. He sought to educate the whole child by developing their character through the violin.

While the Suzuki method has benchmarks in the sense that all students learn the same repertoire, we have no timeframe for when. We can’t force a child to master a skill in a set timeframe.

Each student is unique and learns in their own time. We’re never in a hurry to progress to the next song, but we work hard each day to inch towards our goals.

Ultimately, care and respect for ourselves and each other is the true core of the Suzuki method. We approach everything we do together from a place of deep mutual respect.