F-M SUZUKI SCHOOLAnn Schluter, aka Miss Ann to her students, began teaching Suzuki Violin Method in Fargo in 1979, doing business as The String Studio. In 1984, she added Suzuki Piano students to her studio, changing the business name to The F-M Suzuki Studio, which has been located on the campus of North Dakota State University since 1986. Ann has had Master Classes with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and has taken teacher training through the Suzuki Association of the Americas. (Violin through book 6; Piano through book 1) Some of her teacher trainers have been Kay Sloane (KY), Doris Preucil (IA), Lorraine Landefeld (TX), Mrs. Kataoka (Japan). Ann taught Suzuki Violin, fiddling and Young Master’s Art Program at the International Music Festival in Michigan and Indiana for several years. She has also taught fiddling workshops at Bowbridge (MN) and the International Peace Garden (ND/Manitoba). Currently, Ann teaches 34 Suzuki violin and piano students in Fargo, as well as 35 fiddle students in Belcourt, ND. Since Suzuki Method utilizes parents of students as the home teacher, Ann uses Jeanne Luedke’s Parent Education Course for parents of continuing and new students. Suzuki Method, also called Mother-Tongue Method, parallels the natural language learning of very young children. Developing music as part of a child’s life begins at birth, if possible. Parents are involved in extensive parent education as they observe lessons and classes of other students with their child. As the most natural teacher for the child, parents learn to play the instrument before the child and teach their child at home between studio lessons. As with language learning, reading is postponed until the child’s instrumental skills are well-established. Suzuki families listen extensively to the pre-recorded Suzuki repertoire at home. Daily ambient listening assists the child in learning more quickly and more accurately. Suzuki students follow the same repertoire, learning in small steps to build confidence and ensure success. Students have individual lessons and group classes each week, as well as large group repertoire classes. Classes focus on learning music theory through games and on performing repertoire together as an ensemble. Students have several opportunities to perform each year in casual and formal concerts in the community. Every effort is made to create an enjoyable, positive learning environment in the studio and at home. Suzuki teachers encourage an attitude of cooperation among students and their parents and seek to develop the whole child in an environment of total support. Suzuki education is “education for life through the study of the instrument.” (Shinichi Suzuki) During a recent parent class, Ann asked parents to write brief statements describing Suzuki Method and their experience with it. Some of their comments were: Suzuki opens the eyes of children and parents to the wonders of learning (Suzuki) is a method of learning that stresses repetition, review and listening to train the ear. This method requires a lot of parental involvement and training, and teaches us to practice patience in every day life. This has been excellent ear and tone training, and I as a parent have learned a lot of valuable lessons, especially regarding patience, taking small steps, the value of repetition, and review. Suzuki is an approach to learning music that enables the child through learning by imitation. Our son has gained more self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment from his Suzuki experiences. He has learned to be more patient with his practice because of the participation of his parents. Repeated listening allows development of a mental image of the song, which is half the battle (of learning). It is important that no one disparage the playing of the music, and all view it favorably. Patience and living the Suzuki philosophy will allow the child to learn. Living the philosophy from the beginning will cause the child to know no other way. Parents are involved (in all the learning) and there are many opportunities to learn with my children. The children are learning many things outside of the musical realm. Listen, listen, listen. Parent-directed, child-centered. Review, review, review. Master one thing at a time. Build on success. The studio experience is both motivating (to come better prepared next week) and exhausting (are my kids acting that way?!). …method of teaching children how to play a musical instrument, similar to how children acquire language. Lots of listening and repetition. Parent support and involvement is an essential part of the program. Suzuki makes you really prioritize things in your home life. I feel like it makes me a better parent through reading newsletters & books and spending more one-on-one time with my kids. A cooperative learning between parent a child. The moving away from our culture’s insistence on children being independent at such an early age has brought my daughter and myself closer together. As I understand it, the Suzuki Method is the natural approach to learning. Listening to the recording is emphasized. Suzuki Method: development of the whole child. Character development. A way of life. Having group lessons with older/more advanced students serves as a great motivator for my daughter. It has become a major part of our life and spilled over into the way we teach our children in general, not just violin. I can’t imagine not having this Suzuki program in our lives! This program has consistently been the one thing we thank God we found. (It’s) the best decision we ever made for our daughter. Suzuki Method: love; developing the whole person; consistency; fun, enjoyment. Our experience: discipline; work ethic; positive attitude; achievement; problem solving. Suzuki Method: holistic development of child; develop love for music and learning in general; continue to build positive parent/child relationship; keep life simple! Great parent training. Observation time very helpful to prepare daughter to start playing during lessons. Also helpful information for parenting in general. Love it! Excellent for daughter to observe others’ lessons. Now she’s excited to start playing and likes listening to the music. Suzuki: whole child education; learning to love music; builds/grows the parent-child relationship. (Learning) a keen sense of tone. My daughter learns her music faster and more thoughtfully that I learned my music as a child.
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