As well as being a Suzuki Piano Teacher, I am a
composer. In fact, that I was a composer led me to becoming
a Suzuki Piano Teacher. When I began looking for a piano
teacher for my daughter, I could not find any Suzuki
teachers who would include composition and improvisation in
their instruction, I decided to learn how to teach Suzuki
Piano so that I could integrate composition and
improvisation into my daughter’s education. Now I share my
passion for composition and instruction with all of my
students.
The study of composition and improvisation is an important
part of any child's music education. Not only does it help
the child better understand and appreciate the music they
are learning, it also gives the child a sense of ownership.
I wish students to perceive music not as something only
written by people who are "far away" or long gone, but
something that even a young child can compose.
Many people have asked me how I have "taught" composition
to my younger students. It is actually quite easy. In my
experience, all children are creative. They will make up
stories, pictures, and yes, even songs. Children stop
becoming creative when they are not given the tools that
enable their creativity to grow up with them. My goal is to
give children simple tools that will enable them to write
compositions that they (and their audience) will enjoy.
Most of my students have had the opportunity to write
compositions. For some, it was very easy. for others, it
was a struggle to commit pen to paper. For all, their
output is testimony to the creativity they have within, the
support they receive from their families, and the love they
have for music. And for me? The best part of it all is
seeing the look of surprise, amazement, and accomplishment
when a student realizes that they can write "real" music.
Congratulations to each of my students.