SuzukiPortland & SuzukiLakeOswego
Violin Lessons, Viola Lessons & Cello Lessons
- Suzuki Portland & Suzuki Lake Oswego instructional levels range
from an early beginning, starting with the Suzuki Early Childhood Education
Program through to college preparatory viola and cello instruction. College
level cello instruction is available.
- Beginning with a highly skilled approach to physical set-up, the student recognizes from the start that it is the body that plays the instrument. Every opportunity to achieve a healthy, comfortable and natural physical set-up on the instrument is taken. The teachings of the Andover
Educators are used.
- Students move at their own pace as a building block approach is used to secure the student’s foundation. Enriched daily listening to the student’s current repertoire supports significant ear training. Each student has an individual lesson as well as a weekly group class. Group class motivates children through playing a common repertoire together, making friends, and giving public presentations.
- Parents attend every lesson and group class with their child while they are young. Suzuki parenting is a substantial job requiring hands on involvement and time to spend with the student. No prior musical skill is required.
- Three octave scales, shifting and etudes are introduced in late book two after the left and right hand technique is secure. Reading is taught off the instrument from the start and is integrated as soon as a secure aural foundation has been built—usually no later than mid book two (except for very young students).
- Suzuki book 1, 2 and 3 are considered the three most important books for laying a secure foundation for advanced playing. If it is not achieved at this early level, intermediate technique can become a tricky area. Books 4-6 include in-depth vibrato skills, études, bow stroke study (Legato, Martelé, Detaché, Sautillé, Collé, Ricochet, Spiccato) and sees the student traveling through all the positions and keys. Viola Books 7 and 8 and Cello Books 7 through 10 represent movement into the advanced etudes, repertoire and concertos.
- All students participate in ensembles and are given the choice to prepare
for college auditions. College preparatory theory is offered.
- Violin lessons
and viola lessons are offered at the Suzuki Portland studio in Portland,
Oregon by Suzuki violin teacher and viola teacher Catherine
Whelan.
- Cello lessons are offered at the Suzuki Lake Oswego Studio by Suzuki
cello teacher Valdine Ritchie
Mishkin.
