Isabelle at the Northern California Suzuki Institute

Isabelle went to the Northern California Suzuki Institute in Santa Rosa in the middle of July. To be honest, initially we were a little overwhelmed by being in a violin-intensive environment. It was one thing to practice with a group of people you get to know over the years and then continue with the rest of your life -- play dates, school, etc. I wondered if I had made the right decision for us to attend.

Once we got our footing however, it turned out to be a fantastic experience. We stayed in the dorms, which was a good decision. You really get to be part of the whole environment when you stay there. The teachers were terrific -- passionate, dedicated, and talented. And of course, the other children were inspiring.

It was a long day of violin. First we had a master class with Mrs. Hirata who trained under Suzuki himself. Then we had a Repetoire class, then a Dance class. We then broke for lunch. After lunch was the Pre-reading Music class and finally the Technique class. The hours ran from 9 a.m.-3 pm.

At around 4 pm, we headed straight to the pool for some well-deserved R & R. That was really the best time to bond with the other children. We had dinner at 6 pm and then just relaxed together on the grass the rest of the evening with some other folks. We turned in at about 9-9:30 pm to the sounds of violins.

After the week, I noticed Isabelle took much more pride in her playing and more ownership of the instrument as a whole. I think we'll go back next year, and I would definitely recommend Santa Rosa. If you can, try and tag a couple of extra days on to the trip to drive to the coast, visit San Francisco. It all so close.

Atlantic Canada Suzuki Institute

I just got home from Newfoundland, where I was on the Faculty of the Atlantic Canada Suzuki Institute for the second year. My daughter Maia went with me, and, now home after a 17 hour journey back across the continent, the hospitality of the NF Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP) families is alive in our hearts.

This institute serves mostly local families who live at home, rather than at the institute during the week, so there is a lot of commuting each day to and from the school where the classes take place. A highlight of the week for me, was working with Evelyn Osborne to start, for the first time at ACSI, the Suzuki Early Childhood Education "Baby" Class, for children age 0-3. The joy and excitement of the children was tangible throughout the week, and it was indeed a "dream class" of committed and deeply interested parents. During the rest of the day, I had the pleasure of teaching many group classes of various levels full of keen, fun loving students. Maia was part of a small chamber orchestra, a string quartet, as well as a fiddle class where Christina Smith introduced "trick fiddling" that included playing a piece with your bow on your neighbors fiddle, while fingering the piece on your own instrument, and letting your neighbor on the other side reach over and bow your instrument, all while playing a fast lively tune....! I am glad to say it actually worked in the final recital and how! Maia also had some very nice lessons on the viola with the ACSI director Sean Conway, and has come home with an assignment to be completed, I believe by next year, when I hope they have lessons again together.

I think the most valuable part of institute week is the new blood that runs through all our veins as we openly share our skills and ideas with each other. I love the cultural exchange, as well as the new friends and colleagues I had the pleasure to meet. And I love Newfoundland!

Lana and Ed, sent the lovely picture of my namesake, (albeit no relation that I know of!) Kate Whelan seen at the top of this section. I will wait for my NF students to send more photos electronically as Maia left our digital camera at the last institute she was at in Kansas. So do send them, and I will gather a collection to post. Catherine