Have a great holiday season! It’s been a really good year, well done everyone.
This summer I’m offering holiday lessons in January.
The dates are Wednesday 14th and Wednesday 21st January. To book, send me an email or text message by the Sunday before, and state your preference for a morning or afternoon lesson.
Suzuki Autumn Festival dates in 2026 are: 15th to 18th April (most students attend for 3 days, more details later but please save the dates)
Lesson schedule
Mondays
time to be confirmed Gwen
1.00 pm Zoha (60 mins)
4.00 pm Lisa
4.30 pm Vivien
5.00 pm Jude
5.30 pm Abigail
Tuesdays (changed to Thursdays on some Group Lesson weeks)
time to be confirmed Ada
4.15 pm Isabelle (45 mins)
5.00 pm Jaantje
Wednesdays
11.00 am Vivienne (60 mins)
1.30 pm Kitty
3.30 pm Manny
4.00 pm Alex (45 mins)
4.45 pm Elsie (45 mins)
5.30 pm Perryn
Group Lessons in 2025
Group lessons are
– for violin students in Books 1-3, (and Bk 4 if your child is primary school age)
– two Tuesday afternoons a term, 4.30 to 5.30 pm
– at Buda Garden Room, 42 Hunter St, Castlemaine
How to purchase recordings
Audio recordings of Suzuki repertoire can be purchased in many different formats from Alfred Publishing
https://www.alfred.com/suzuki-method/suzuki-audio-downloads/
The best recordings for Suzuki method are by Dr Suzuki himself, and these are available for Books 1, 2 and 3 for violin.
Otherwise please purchase the ISA (International Suzuki Association) recommended recordings, they are the most up-to-date, but any recording listed here is good, they were all authorised by ISA previously. It helps to tell me which recording you’re listening to. Though I don’t recommend David Nadien for Book 4 violin (too fast!).
How to listen to recordings
Please start listening to an authorised version of the next book when your child is halfway through the previous book. Please don’t leave this too late, remember listening is the key to success. And it will be a nice change from the current book, you could alternate books each day.
Active listening and passive listening are both valuable so mix it up!
Active listening – moderate volume, listening for style, maybe following the score. This is recommended too when you have access to different performances.
Passive listening – low volume, you can carry on a conversation easily, it’s in the background. Choose a good recording and listen to the same recording.
Zoom lessons
In-person lessons should be replaced with Zoom online lessons whenever anyone (including me) has cold or flu symptoms, has Covid, or is a close contact. Please try to give 24 hours notice regarding a switch to Zoom. Please update Zoom and use an external microphone for proper immersive online lessons. Audio settings must be musicians’ settings (otherwise I can’t hear your music!).
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