Time Flies

Wow- it's been forever since I've blogged here.

I'm doing my Book Two teacher training right now with Jeanne Grover. It is so much fun, and so exciting to be able to steal ideas from other people! I feel rejuvenated as a teacher, as well as better equipped to teach the things I'm learning.

Teacher Training requires a certain number of hours of observation. What a blessing it has been to be able to watch other teachers in action. I remember when I taught traditional method how much I wished that I could watch other teachers and steal their ideas, but I never felt comfortable in asking. And now I'm "required" to do it! :)

Thanks to great locals like Ramona Stirling, Jeanne Grover, Leslie Thackeray, Renee Dalgleish, and Stacy Smith, I am now armed with a plethora of practice charts, ideas, methods, etudes, and incentive programs to bombard my students with. Oh, I guess I still need to learn moderation. And how to determine which students need which tools.

Good thing there is plenty of time to keep learning!

Also, I can't wait to take Macy to Institute in June, where I will get to steal even MORE ideas from teachers all over the world- not just little old Utah. :)

Tone is the Voice of your Heart

Dr. Suzuki really was an amazing man. He did so much to further the progress of violin teaching and I am so glad that I and my students can benefit from his work! Cathy Lee's class was wonderful- I recommend it to any teachers learning more about the Suzuki method... whether you've taught for years or months.

I am learning and growing along with my students and it has been fun to see them progress and get excited about the things they are learning. I will be registering Books 2-5 over the next year and can't wait to start teaching more students! I love sharing Dr. Suzuki's philosophy and knowledge with them.

Macy's Recital

Macy had another recital last Wednesday, September 26, 2007. She got to play "Pop Goes the Weasel", "E String Concerto", "A String Concerto", and part of "Old MacDonald". She did a great job! Miss Stacy had 27 students performing. It was a lot of fun. Macy almost fell asleep on Grandma's lap in the audience during the concert. Afterwards Robert and I took her to Cold Stone where she chose blue cotton candy ice cream with sprinkles in it. Aunt Nellie made the adorable skirt for her.

Tone Class with Cathy Lee

Wow- I just completed my first day of tone class. I had no idea how little I know about playing the violin. You'd think that after 19 years I would have picked some of this up along the way, but my eyes are open to the possibilites and I am excited and ready to grow.

Dr. Suzuki was very intent on helping students to produce good tone. Beautiful tone, beautiful heart he always said. I wish I could have met him. I'm glad I have the opportunity to study from teachers who learned from him. It's so exciting to hear my instrument coming alive!

Music for Life

Macy started Suzuki violin lessons in January. Her teacher is Ms. Stacy. She inspired me to take Suzuki Training in June. This pic is from Macy's first recital- she played "Pop Goes the Weasel".

I am excited to continue my Suzuki Teacher Training, and have enjoyed the transition with my current students. I'm looking forward to finding even more students to teach and inspire with Dr. Suzuki's methods and philosophy!