The Hawaii Suzuki Institute 2006 was held at Iolani School July 22-26. This major event, held every other year, brings an internationally famous faculty to Hawaii. Students from Iolani and from public and private schools all over Oahu took part, as did students from Maui, Japan, and many parts of the Mainland. The Suzuki Association of Hawaii has sponsored weeklong summer Suzuki Institutes for 22 years, and was very pleased to be able to return to the Iolani campus this year.
Designed for music students, their families, and teachers who desire a weeklong study of the philosophy and pedagogy of the respected Japanese educator, Shinichi Suzuki, the Hawaii Suzuki Institute (HSI) provides a week of concentrated private and group instruction, motivation, and enjoyment. This intense experience eliminates distractions and results in totally focused attention for each person, deepening the joy and meaning of their active involvement in music.
Most of the faculty come from the Mainland and have extensive experience teaching at Suzuki institutes across the country. They tell us that students here in Hawaii are the best students they teach anywhere: ready to learn, kind and thoughtful. They appreciate students whose hearts and minds are open, and who have the ability to accept and integrate new techniques and ideas in a new setting.
HSI students range in age from 3 to 18, from “pre-Twinklers” to accomplished, serious musicians. This year saw a particularly large group of cellists (twice the enrollment of previous years) and a much stronger class of violists, along with the traditionally strong violin contingent. All students took a private lesson and a group performance class each day. In addition, the youngest students enjoyed creative movement and reading classes; intermediate students could choose from Music Mind Games theory, orchestra, art, and Irish fiddling, and the most advanced students took advantage of opportunities in chamber music, college theory, viola for violinists and Irish fiddling. Each child had an individualized schedule, appropriate to his or her instrument, age and level.
Lisa Gomes’ fiddling students studied in advance a recording of some of the music they would learn during Institute. The students couldn’t imagine that they would ever be able to learn such difficult songs. However, by the performance, they navigated the trickiest music so convincingly the audience thought they had been playing this music for years. Audrey Knuth, the only member of the group with prior experience in Irish fiddling, not only played but danced.
Performances during the week included the faculty recital and chamber music recitals. The gala final concert in Seto Hall featured all the group classes, progressing from 30 preschoolers playing the “E String Concerto” to 22 advanced violinists playing “Spring” by Vivaldi, 15 advanced cellists playing Spanish Serenade, and a stage filled to overflowing with students, rightfully proud of their accomplishments and delighted to share the gift of music with the standing-room-only audience. Institute director Kathy Hafner, the Suzuki Association of Hawaii, the students, families, and faculty were all very grateful to Iolani School for its ongoing support of the arts in our community, and in particular for co-sponsoring HSI this year.
HSI also offered two teacher training courses (based on official guidelines of the SAA) – teachers from CA, CT, IA as well as local teachers could learn new skills and techniques.
From the parent of an eight year old violinist:
"The institute is fantastic! I have only praise...the location was excellent. I am very grateful to Iolani School for allowing us the use of the facility. It is a beautiful campus, conveniently located, and having lots of parking made arrivals so easy. Having the classes so centrally located was wonderful.... I cannot praise the institute enough. The concerts were great. Great music and enough fun to make us all laugh and the kids kept interested. I like institute because it reminds me of the joy in music, reminds me to be more fun and gives me tools."
From the mother of a young violinist:
"A wonderful experience for our child. She was inspired from the first day. She came home and said she is now inspired and wants so badly to advance in her music. The facilities were great. Thank you to the gifted teachers. They were so impressive and make all the difference. Thank you."
From the mother of a young cellist:
"Location exceptional! Spacious, cool, beautiful campus!
This was our first (and hopefully not last) HSI experience...
My son's 3 classes were perfect. His instructors were attentive, adjusting content and instruction to his needs. Class size matched the purpose of each class.
It was so helpful for my child (who had only experienced being tutored once a week) to be with other children, to listen to music, to listen to various instructors, and especially to discover how valued the cello and violin are."
From the father of a young Twinkler:
"We appreciate all aspects of the 5-day workshop. The faculty is great and the location can't be beat! Thanks for all you do for the kids. Remember that the results from all your work plays out during the lifetime of the students. Thank you!"
Iolani School students who attended the Hawaii Suzuki Institute
July 21-26, 2006:
Audrey Knuth
Mirabel Koike
Matthew Lum
Celia Ou
Teresa Ou
Nina Park
Dillon Powers
Kalani Takata
Blaise Tesoro
Dylan Weber
Aaron Wehrman
Ili Wong
