Music Institutes- A Gift That Keeps Giving

In previous posts I have written about the quality of the Suzuki Institute at Kingston Ontario Canada. It is an honor to work with the prestigious faculty in this picturesque setting. But of equally high quality are the families that attend.

A few years ago I found an adorable little girl wearing home made dresses, her hair in long, blond braids as one of my students for the week. She captured my heart as she smiled and giggled the entire week at the lessons. Her parents were right at her side loving her beyond imagination and cherishing every second with their little girl. The love they shared was quite evident in their every move.

I don’t remember how many years ago that was. But we were reunited at the piano last summer again. The braids are now replaced by shoulder length hair loosely pulled back. The dresses are still home made, but interspersed with shorts and tee shirts. The smile is that of a 13 year old young lady, poised and confident. She converses in a relaxed, easy flowing way using an enormous vocabulary with whomever she encounters. The parents are at her side with the love and pride unceasing.

I now get occasional calls from her. The calls are sporadic jumping from one topic to another endlessly. We are very comfortable with each other as if we see each other daily.

Today I received a gift that was very powerful. It was a DVD of a recital given by this 13 year old girl. So much practice had gone into the final product. For the age, it was a lengthy recital of high quality. Her passion rings out loud and clear. The DVD was done very thoughtfully including photos of her with the extended family, friends and those who attended.  She also had a section of photos of her with Carole Bigler, her piano teacher to whom she dedicated the recital.

Included in the package was the program that she helped to compose. My name was listed as one of her teachers.

All this left me speechless.

I guess one never knows the impact one has on others. It’s hard for me to believe she thought to send me this package and include me in the program. What an honor.

And what timing! I am now packing my supplies to teach at the Institute. I am thinking of my lesson plans, wondering who my students will be, and what I can do to make my lessons ones that will have the highest impact. I always get a little anxious about that. How can I be my best? How can I make these small children walk away motivated and energized?  How can I teach a great amount about music  and make the kids  laugh at the same time?  What a tall order!

That’s what teaching at the Suzuki Institute does for me.  It creates a need for me to produce my highest quality work.  It puts me in the company of highly skilled educators where I learn not only about education but about being a giving human being.  It engages me with parents who place education first.  It brings beautiful children who offer so much love and energy  fueling me to teach yet another year.

Music institutes are a gift that keeps giving.  What will I bring to it this year?  I don’t completely know yet.  But I do know this.  I will aim to provide a gift that keeps giving.