With great sadness I write that the Suzuki institute in Kingston, Ontario Canada has come to a close. For over 30 years it has provided children and their families a loving, caring haven where students, teachers and parents shared music and much, much more.
I received a letter and phone call with the news about 3 months ago. Although I saw it coming, I did not want to believe. I called one of my colleagues to commiserate but other than that, I could not talk or write about it. Within the week letters from the other teachers started pouring in. I even got 2 calls from families I had taught asking if it was really true. Still, I was in denial . I really expected a phone call saying that a savior had been found and the institute would continue. But as hard as it was, I knew it was time.
Thanks to two extraordinary faculty members and many other volunteers, the institute pulled off a successful program last summer following the retirement of Carole Bigler and Valery Lloyd Watts. Carole and Valery, the founders all those years back created a unique experience for families who attended. Each teacher, hand picked from all over the U.S. and Canada, created a diverse, cohesive curriculum bringing each child the best of the best. We shared a common philosophy of education. In all the places I have taught I have never experienced the level of respect nor mastery as I had with this faculty. I often joked that it was the Brigadoon of education.
In many ways the institute formed who I am as a teacher and continues to remind me of who I want to be as a human being. Obviously, our goal was to share music. But what made the experience unique was that an even larger goal was to share love. The success was that simple. Each teacher demonstrated unbridled enthusiasm in and out of class. Hugs to parents and children were constant. Each lesson was steeped with creativity and laughter. And as a faculty, we viewed each other’s talents in awe. We worked together and played together and loved every minute. The aura was contagious. The children and families showed respect to each other, worked hard and applauded each other’s accomplishments.
Many educators and students never have such an opportunity. I consider myself blessed. To those who have attended the Kingston institute, I am sure you share my sentiments. I will cherish the memories all my life. I will also aim to be the best teacher I can possibly be. Even more than that, I hope to aim to be the best person I can be in life. So often when situations arise I think of what my colleagues would do.
All good things must come to and end. This is a very sad ending. But the faculty, families and memories will always have a special place in my heart.
What next? I sincerely hope that the children who attended the institute will find other venues and continue in their musical journey. As for me, I will continue to work hard for the children in my elementary school and my private piano studio. I hope that I will be invited as a clinician for other institutes ( I will be in Virginia in March). As for my colleagues, please know how much I value you. May our paths cross again…




