My 3 Favorite Quotes by Shinichi Suzuki

Favorite Quote 1:

• Abilities are developed: they are not inborn. Let us, with perseverance, search for the best ways to develop ability.

I truly believe that EVERY. CHILD. can learn to play music. Each child is different, each in his/her own special way. Through following the lead of each child, teachers and parents can help to develop a musical ability within our children. Let’s keep in mind that, “The potential of every child is UNLIMITED!”

Favorite Quote 2 (Group of Quotes):

• Parents who say “This child has no ability” harm the development of so many children with this horribly mistaken idea.

• We parents should strive to deeply instil a beautiful, sensitive heart and splendid ability in children, believing that every child can develop into an adult who has these basic characteristics.

• Thoughtful parents, for the sake of their children, seek to make their own hearts true and to illuminate the nest paths for living, which is the real way to love.

PARENTS! You are so valuable. Let’s aim to create a physical environment that inspires and promotes our young ones to be curious about music.

Favorite Quote 3:

• Character first, ability second

Yes, we want each child to play beautifully. But, more importantly, if not equally important, we must point our children to develop character traits that are honest: sensitivity towards others, kindness, compassion, dedication, and perseverance. Through music education, teachers and parents can partner to create the next generation of peoples to be contributing individuals in our society.

BONUS QUOTE:

What is man’s ultimate direction in life?

It is to look for love, truth, virtue and beauty.

Nurtured by Love – Shinichi Suzuki

Don't think about it...just get started!

When I was studying at the Boston Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA, I would go to the practice room at 7:00 am to start my day with my daily violin warmups. In the wintertime, it was so cold in those practice rooms so I would sit beside the heater to get my body warm. Some mornings, I would just sit and stare at my closed violin case tempted to leave, and run back to my warm, cozy bed. All I had to do was…get…started…

Once my violin case was opened, I successfully began my morning practice routine paving the way for a productive day!

So, what’s stopping you from starting Violin Lessons or Piano Lessons?

How can you “get started”?

Give yourself the momentum and motivation for greater experiences by contacting me to set up a no-fee consultation. Just GET STARTED!

Teachers have Super Powers!

“Dear Parents:

Don’t stress about school work. In September, I will get your children back on track. I am a teacher and that’s my superpower. What I can’t fix is social-emotional trauma that prevents the brain from learning. So, right now, I just need you to share your calm, share your strength, and share your laughter with your children. No kids are ahead. No kids are behind. Your child is exactly where they need to be.

With love,

All the teachers on planet Earth”

I didn’t write the above letter, but I believe it carries such a powerful message.

Confession: I am the worst at keeping my son’s school work together!

To be cliche #keepcalmandcarryon

Practice again.

I came across this image from a colleague of mine #angelicharpacademy.

She had posted the caption: “Love this! So true! It’s only after decades do we began to mature into our gifts and play make it sound easy! Go practice!”

The so-called “TALENT” will only get you to a certain point.

After that, the WORK that continuous “PRACTICE” develops will pull you all the way through.

So, get to it!

How do I get my child to practice?

I frequently hear this from parents:

“My child won’t practice"

“Practicing is a daily struggle”

“I think my child should quit music lessons because he/she just won’t practice!”

Parents - I hear you. I understand and feel your frustrations. I have promised to partner with you to create a positive musical journey for all of us. So, let’s get through this bump together.

Although, all circumstances vary between families, here are some possible solutions and/or tips. (Note: I make the assumption that the student is roughly between the ages of 4 - 10)

1. Children, especially very young children, don’t know how to practice yet. Although, “how to practice” is a part of my teaching method, children still need guidance to make practicing a part of their “play time” or a part of their “daily schedule”.

2. Make practicing part of their daily routine. Dr. Suzuki, the founder of the Suzuki Violin Pedagogy Method said, “You must practice every day that you eat!”

3. Sit down with your child when it’s time to practice. Tell them, “I want to be the student and you can be the teacher!”. You’ll get some giggles, but you’ll discover that they know EXACTLY what to do.

4. Don’t worry too much about counting the practice time minutes. If the assignment is accomplished well within 12 minutes, then I’d call that a success! If you can repeat that 12 minutes later in the day, then you have a double success!

5. Come to the lesson. Take notes during the lesson.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Become a PRACTICE PARTNER with your little musician. Your child LOVES to spend time with you, so make music a daily part of your special time with the child who-turned-your-life-upside-down-when-they-were-born (in a good way). =)

Lastly, here’s a short youtube clip about Effectively practicing - not only with music but with other disciplines that also require “practice time”.

Cheers to happier music making!

(Evamarie is a violin teacher and piano teacher based in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York. She currently has an “almost 4 year old son” who will only walk long distances if Evamarie can distract him by telling him to identify the makes of each motor vehicle on the street. It takes roughly 25 minutes to get to the subway when it should only take 10 minutes.)

A Music Teacher in Hong Kong

Growing up, my mother exposed me to Classical Music. Perhaps, intentionally, as she was a piano teacher. She taught at home so there was always a piano lesson in the afternoon hours. She brought me to Piano Recitals where I listened to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata & “Golliwogg’s Cakewalk” by C. Debussy. I recall sitting quietly in the audience as a 7 year old, not really paying attention, but taking it all in.

My Mother and Father were also a members of a choir that sang Choral Art Pieces or, as my mother called them “Kundimans.” Because I attended all her rehearsals and performances, I internalized these Art Songs and can still recall them to this day.

At age 10, I discovered Broadway…My favorites were Phantom of the Opera & West Side Story.

At age 16, I discovered Opera…and joined the group, “Teen Opera” in Palo Alto, CA.

Fast forward to adulthood… When my husband’s job relocated us to Hong Kong in April of 2014, I found work as the “English Music Teacher” at a preschool called, "Rightmind Kindergarten” (RMKG). RMKG prides themselves on focusing on developing the “Right Brain” in children at a very young age. Right Brain thinking would include creativity and artistry. To accomplish this goal, MUSIC was a heavy part of their curriculum. This is where I honed my skills to teach music to children as young as 2 to 6 years old. I began to understand how and why, children as young as 2 could respond excellently, with DAILY practice, to pitch and rhythm. These young children were able to sing and perform complex songs with ease and confidence! This was an experience I never had in the USA.

Children are remarkable. Presented with the task, and with the correct guidance from parents and good teachers, every child, has the ability to accomplish great things.

HELLO 2020!

“We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

Welcome to a new DECADE. A new year always brings me to reflect on what has passed this last year. But especially this year, since it is a beginning of a new decade, I find myself thinking of how FULL the past 10 years have been. I was happily living life in California, then, I got married (2013). I moved from San Jose, CA (I am CA born and bred), to Brooklyn, NYC (8 months), to Hong Kong (3 years), to Tokyo, Japan (2 years), and back to Brooklyn (Sept 2018). Within those years, I gained invaluable life and teaching experiences. In between those years, I had two boys - the first born in 2016 and the second in 2018. I see my two boys growing so quickly before my eyes - I reflect on Motherhood, and the challenges and joys that it brings.

I reflect on TIME. When I was 5, I wanted to be 10. When I was 10, I wanted to be 17. When I was 17, I wanted to be 27. When I was 27, I wanted to be 27 forever. Ten years later, I want time to STOP so I can enjoy who i presently am TODAY, instead of wishing myself to be older. If I could only…..

.RECLAIM [ MY ] TIME.

“One of the main reasons we decided to take this journey was to reclaim our time:

More free time.
More time to focus on what’s important.
More time for other people.
More time for ourselves.
More time to build new relationships.
More time for gratitude.
More time to be healthy.
More time to create.

We wanted our lives back, and to do so we had to get our time back.

Time is the only thing we all share in common: we all have the same 24 hours in a day. Let’s use them wisely.

Today’s action is the easiest of all—take today and spend it in solitude. Use your time for yourself: Create, don’t consume. Be mindful. Get to know yourself.

Reflect on your journey—it wasn’t easy getting here. But also take today and relax: you deserve it.”

— Joshua Field Milburns et Nicholas Nicodimus, the Minimalist

Well…since I can’t “Reclaim Time,” I’ll remind myself to spend the days CREATING time.

Creating more “cozy time” with my boys before bedtime.

Creating more “quality time” with my husband, family and friends.

Create more Laughter, more Snuggles…more…Happy Memories…

Let’s be more intentional…more thoughtful…more mindful…more beautiful…

Cheers to a New Year!

Graduation 2019

Little Lance

Throwing it back 17 years ago, this not-so-little-boy-anymore is now graduating from his University studies! At five years old he was my very first violin student. He certainly holds a very special place in my heart and I’m so proud of his accomplishments.

Initially, the reason I entered music performance and education as a career was my love for music and that I knew I was capable of achieving this goal. But I learned quickly that I had created special bonds with my students during, and after their formal violin lessons were finished. I am amazed with how music has helped to shape their lives.

Let me share some unsolicited advice to the class of 2019.

1. HONOR and LOVE your Parents. They aren’t perfect but they do the best for you in the way they know how.

2. You ARE NOT entitled to anything - work hard for what you want.

3. When life gets tough, push through.

4. When someone breaks your heart, you can only cry for one day - the next morning, put on your best smile and MOVE ON.

5. Be FIRM, but KIND. Be HONEST and maintain your INTEGRITY.

6. SING when you’re Happy. SING when you’re Sad.

7. Keep your eyes focused on GOD. When you think you can’t make it, HIS grace is sufficient.

HATS OFF to the Class of 2019!

Cheers to a GLORIOUS end of this chapter and the beginning of a NEW adventure!

LIFE AWAITS!!!!

Teaching Violin in Japan

March is currently hosting the beautiful Sakura Season in Japan!!! The Cherry Blossoms are blooming all over Japan and picnic-ing (“Hanami”) under the blossomed trees becomes an exciting weekend happening that you would prepare for and look forward to months beforehand. If you are planning a trip to Japan, Sakura Season is THE time to go!

Oh, how I miss our days in Japan. We lived in Tokyo, Japan for 1.5 years in 2017 - 2018. I enjoyed riding my “Mamachari” bike through the city streets, and the street festivals full of food and entertainment. Food in Japan is DELICIOUS! I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal eating out. Although It was such a short time, I have developed a respect and a fascination with the Japanese Culture and their way of life. I realized that the Japanese value system is cultivated and taught to their children from birth. At very young ages, the children are taught how to behave in various environments, to be independent, to be tidy, to have a deep respect for their surroundings and their parents, teachers, and elders, etc. There are no “Janitors” in schools as the students clean their classroom floors, and even serve lunches to their peers. I’m sure we’ve all see the video about Japanese kindergarteners taking the trains to get to school all by themselves - its real!!!

You may say, “Yes, I also teach that to my child.”

But I can tell you, that from experience, the Japanese people have taken it to the next level up. I still can’t figure out how they do it! During “Bring your child to work day”, my husband brought our son and I to his work floor in Roppongi. All the Japanese kids were quietly looking and walking around - you’d never guess they were there! Then you hear a “WHEEEEEEEE!”- Oh! That’s the American kid. HA! Now, I’m not saying that the energy of my child is not a good thing (or a bad thing). I just admire how the Japanese raise their children to be outstanding citizens.

At this time, I was teaching music in an international preschool/kindergarten and giving Violin lessons in my home. Since I am a certified Suzuki Teacher, I found myself fortunate enough to be living in the country of Shinichi Suzuki, the man who founded the “Suzuki Method” for teaching music. I began to recognize the parallels of his music philosophy - that talent is not inborn but cultivated through ones environment and efforts - with that of his Japanese Culture.

One of the main points of his music philosophy that stand out the most to me is, in my own words, “Do not teach the child how to play the violin. Teach him how to play with a beautiful soul.”

Like Mr. Suzuki, I aim to teach my students to be “good citizens” - to have “endurance, discipline, and sensitivity to their surroundings.” He often says, “Foster the heart, then acquire the ability.” The Japanese people are humble and grateful people - grateful to nature, their environment, and to each other. This mindset carries into music: be humble and grateful for all the gifts that music can bring to your life.

I don’t live in Japan anymore but I do find myself doing, dare I say, “Japanese habits” - like slightly bowing when giving thanks. My now 3 year old son still automatically takes off his shoes and puts them the closet when he comes home - I can’t complain.

Is my child ready for Music Lessons?

“How do I know if my child is ready for Music Lessons?”

Now that’s a question I’ve heard many times from parents.

I’m a VIOLINIST, but I have a crazy love-affair with the CELLO. The deep, chocolate-ly sound of the cello makes me fall in love. SO, naturally, I want my son to play the cello. From birth, I’ve let him listen to Cello music, Cello youtube clips, touch and feel the cello…basically, I’ve been brainwashing. Hahaha. But now that he’s 3 (OMG, they just grow tooo fast!), I’ve been keeping a close watch on his readiness to play cello, or take any type of music classes for that matter.

I’ve been teaching Violin for more than 10 years to children ages 3 - 12, and I know that there are many factors to readiness that include cognitive and physical maturity. But here are three general things that you, the parent, can keep an eye on:

1. Your child expresses interest in the instrument. Does he say, “When is it my turn?", “Can I try?”

2. Your child can take direction from other teachers

3. Your child can be still for 20 - 30 minutes

There are other great music options out there if you feel that it’s not time for formal violin lessons such as Music Together!!! My son LOVES this class. I admit, he does a lot of running around the room, but when the music stops, he says, “MORE MAMA!!!!” hahaha.. I know there’s something going on in that creative, little brain!

“Start ‘em young!”, a well meaning mother said. A great idea, but, if you really want to give your child a meaningful start to music, wait for their readiness.

If you’re still unsure, call me for a trial lesson. Happy Music Making!!