The Arizona Suzuki Association was formed in 1996
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To advance the Suzuki philosophy through teaching students, training teachers, and educating parents and the general public.
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To motivate students to become persons of exceptional ability and good character through music education.
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To encourage the highest standards of excellence in teaching, learning and playing.
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To promote communication and sharing of ideas among teachers and parents.
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To coordinate, support, and publicize Arizona Suzuki events.
I have noticed that any idea either grows and flourishes, or begins to die out. I believe so wholeheartedly in the ideas of Dr. Suzuki that I hate to see them decline. But, in the world of Suzuki cello in Arizona, it is happening. There is no registered cello teacher in Flagstaff since the death of Nadine Bean, and I am the only registered teacher specializing in cello in the Phoenix area. Teachers graduated from ASU have not been trained in the Suzuki philosophy and many do not promote it. It is up to all of us who believe in the philosophy to unite and nourish this wonderful seed of Dr. Suzuki.
We do have some very fertile areas of growth in the State. Have you heard about all of them?
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In Flagstaff, Karin Hallberg is leading a teacher training program that attracts students from all over the country. Diana Galindo is a registered piano teacher trainer, and Louise Scott is a registered violin teacher trainer. Flagstaff supports a Suzuki in the Schools program. NAU hosts the Arizona Suzuki Institute every June.
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In the Phoenix area VSSA (Valley of the Sun Suzuki Association), has 70 + Suzuki violin and piano basics students in its program. The Place Academy teaches Suzuki violin, piano and cello. Cindy Baker and a few more violin teachers continue the vision of the Mandel studios. Dan Swaim is a registered Suzuki bass teacher at ASU.
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Tucson is the home of the Music and Dance Academy of Tucson that teaches violin, piano, cello, flute and guitar to 200 students. Other Suzuki teachers in Tucson can be found in our Teacher Directory.
There are probably more islands of Suzuki going on around the state, but without an organization that "promotes communication and sharing of ideas among teachers and parents and coordinates, supports, and publicizes Arizona Suzuki events", how are we to know about each other and what our state has to offer?
The Arizona Suzuki Association, NAU, VSSA, and The Music Academy of Tucson each offer workshops each year that are open to students from all over the state. Find out what is happening in your state and where students can go for workshops. Let us know what you are doing. Join with us to support your state organization and help the Suzuki philosophy grow and blossom.
For more information and to join, email Mary Wilkening at marywilkening@cox.net. |
