Parents 4-Week Training Course
Requirement before piano lessons begin with student:

PURPOSE

In order to better prepare the students for their piano lessons, parents are required to enroll in a 4-Week training program before their children start. Students are much more likely to succeed and learn piano and music theory lessons when their parents are active participants and well-informed about the process and principles. It is an extensive workshop where the focus is on preparing the parent to be knowledgeable about the process of the program, the agenda of activities, and setting up and organizing materials. The parents will schedule a one-hour time for four weeks.

CHILDREN

This training workshop does not include children. If a parent foresees babysitting problems that will interrupt the training sessions, time must be arranged so that the training can be completed in continuous sessions.

FEE

The fee is based on the hourly rate of the institute's hourly tuition fee. Parents must purchase the curriculum notebook and DVD that will include weekly instructions, plans, and assignments. The course book and DVD provides all Book I songs at a slower speed for interactive, listening, and trace routines.

ROLE

Parents must be prepared to get involved in the process of learning the songs, singing the lyrics to the songs, listening to the music, and learning the roles during the Suzuki Book 1 level. Also, the parents will learn about the elementary rudiments of piano playing, techniques, and structuring practice time to facilitate the children at home.

PROCESS AT PIANO LESSONS

Once the child starts piano lessons for a 45 minute or one-hour session, attention is allocated for teacher-student instruction while parent is watching, taking notes, and writing questions for teacher to clarify BEFORE the lesson ends. This is done to avoid distractions and keep the concentration and focus for the lesson. Afterwards, 15-minutes will be allocated for question/answers, discussions, and interaction among teacher, child, and parent. If the parent waits until the lesson time is up and wants the questions answered, there are two options: wait until the next lesson to get quality one-on-one feedback and attention for discussion OR schedule a private conference time offered at the 30-min, 45-min, or 1-hr rate times. The 15-minute interaction session is done until the parent becomes more acquainted and comfortable with the routine of the student-teacher lessons and how to model the lessons at home. If the parent feels that more clarification is needed, then s/he must call and schedule a private conference: 30 or 45 minutes.

MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

The parents do not need to know how to play the piano in order to go through the training or to enroll their children at the Institute.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information and references about the Suzuki Method and Importance of the Suzuki Parenting Training, please visit the following sites:

1. SAM Newsletter Fall 2004 Parent Training Workshop. Effective Strategy for Parents and Teachers. On October 2, Jeanne. Luedke presented a Parent. Education Seminar for both. Suzuki ... www.suzukiminnesota.org/resources/SAMnewsletterfall2004.pdf

2. Suzuki Piano Basics: CDs Jeanne Luedke's Suzuki parent and teacher training resources, newsletters, ... Helpful online newsletter for parents and teachers, workshop and events ... www.discographyonline.com/teacher_resources.html

3. www.edmontonsuzukipiano.ca

4. www.mtroyal.ab.ca/conservatory/images/ pdf/suz_handbook.pdf

NEWS

Texas Music Teachers Convention
State Piano Ensemble Performance High School Ensemble--June 8 & 9, 2007 Primo Pianists: Ronak Shah, Anusha Jagadish, Tiffany La Secondo: Aditi Deshmukh, Anasuya Kabad, Nicholas Tieh--Alto Sax, Trent La--Drums

Piano Concert Performance--Duke University Student
Jerald Lee-Austin Prince Performance at The Omni Hotel - May 27, 2007 Repertoire Includes Classical, Contemporary, Jazz, Pop, Blues, Composer

Suzuki Graduation Piano Concerts
Students Piano Graduation Performances of Classical and Various Other Repertoire (Jazz, Contemporary, Pop, Blues, Ballads, Duets) CONGRATULATIONS: Suzuki Graduation Piano Performances May 5, 2007 1. Aditi Deshmukh: Book 5 2. Amber Wang: Book 2 3. Beryl Wang: Book 2 4. Kevin Yao: Book 2 5. Tiffany La: Book 2 6. Ronak Shah: Book 5 7. Anasuya Kabad: Book 5

10-Year Spring Recital
University of St. Thomas May 26, 2007 Cullen Music Auditorium Houston, TX