Ideas and stories for Suzuki families

Every child has phases of not wanting to practise. Gentle ideas for getting through them, from a fluffy toy’s running commentary to a secret note.

Simple games and activities to make Suzuki practice at home more enjoyable, plus playful ways to get through repetitions, for young piano and violin students and their parents.

What happens at Suzuki workshops, camps and concerts, how to get ready for them, and the Suzuki events that run in New Zealand each school holidays.

Short, happy daily practice works best for young children. Practical Suzuki tips on routine, repetitions, listening and keeping practice interesting.

Many children can start piano or violin at age 3 with an adult support person. What lessons look like for a young child, the parent’s role, choosing an instrument, and how online lessons work.

How children learn Suzuki violin, when music reading begins, and what you’ll be doing as a parent along the way.

How children learn Suzuki piano, when music reading begins, and what you’ll be doing as a parent along the way.

How I managed to get there despite wild weather and a State of Emergency!

South Island Suzuki Summer camp 14-19 January 2025TuesdayThis morning my family and I drove from Christchurch, where we had been staying, down to Oamaru for the start of this year's summercamp. It's being held at Waitaki Boys' High again. Waitaki Boys' is a boarding...

This post is rather out of date but I have left it here for your interest…

My family and I are all very happy to be back at winter workshop after a gap of 2 years…

Four days of Suzuki piano Book 4 teacher training in Auckland with Fleur Chee, and a look at how thorough Suzuki teacher training is.

A day-by-day diary of the South Island Suzuki summer camp at Waitaki Boys’ High in Oamaru, January 2024, with piano lessons, music mind games and concerts.

A day-by-day diary of the South Island Suzuki summer camp in Timaru, January 2023: the play-in, group classes, masterclasses, concerts and family camp life.

Here is a Piano Playalong Concert video I made with some of my piano students recently…

Here is a Violin Playalong Concert video I did with some of my violin students recently…

My young Suzuki students begin reading music with The Rhythm Train, where each rhythm has a fun animal name like “dog” or “al-li-ga-tor”.

How online lessons kept music going during the 2020 lockdown.

I have taken my children to the annual Timaru summer camp for the past few years and they consider it to be a highlight of the summer calendar. We’ll be going again this year and I hope to see some of you there.

Our trip to the 2019 Christchurch Suzuki Mid-winter Workshop: the play-in, group classes, masterclasses and fiddling.