History
Key Elements of Suzuki's Talent Education Philosophy
Teacher's Creed
Enrollment

The Suzuki Institute of Dallas (SID) was founded in 1973 by Dr. Evelyn Hermann (the previous CEO of the International Suzuki Association), to provide learning opportunities and particularly musical training for children according to the Talent Education Philosophy expounded by Dr.Shinichi Suzuki. Paul and Lorraine Landefeld, upon Dr. Hermann's retirement in 1986, guided the growth of the Institute to its then enrollment of approximately 160 students. Nicolette Solomon was appointed Executive Director and President in May 2005 after the retirement of Paul and Lorraine Landefeld. The current enrollment of the Suzuki Institute has subsequently grown close to 300 students. Faculty consists of 6 full-time and 6 part-time instructors, with tuition offered in violin, viola, cello, piano, guitar, music theory, composition, harp and flute. The SID regularly invites artists and recognized pedagogues to conduct master classes and workshops for its students and the community. Fabio Bidini, Dr. Doris Harrel, Nancy Locken, Gerardo Ascheri, Brian Lewis, Lucy Shaw and many other fabulous string and piano clinicians from the United States and abroad have been guest teachers at our Institute.

The Institute has many ties to Japan. Nicolette Solomon has studied with Dr. Suzuki at The Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan. Paul and Lorraine Landefeld spent two years studying there. In February 1995, SID hosted the Third International Suzuki Piano Basics Workshop and Conference, featuring Mr. Seizo Azuma, Pianist, of Yokohama, Japan, and Dr. Haruko Kataoka, co- founder of the Suzuki Piano method. Also featured were exemplary students of the Talent Education Institute of Matsumoto, Japan. SID has on several occasions hosted the Japanese Children's Tour Group featuring Talent Education students from many parts of Japan.

As part of its mission, the Suzuki Institute of Dallas looks for opportunities to create awareness of the Suzuki Philosophy, with its emphasis on early education and the development of character through music education.

Riya and Shruthi ready for a gig.

The SID is fortunate and proud to attract a diversity of faculty and students and boasts nationalities representing France, China, the Philippines, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, the USA, South Africa, Pakistan, Costa Rica, Korea and Canada. Several of SID's graduates have gone on to study at Oberlin, Juilliard, Rice, Vanderbilt, USC, Indiana University and other fine schools. All our graduates continue to enjoy and appreciate fine music and art, regardless of the career choices they pursue. The Suzuki Institute of Dallas continues to grow, has an enthusiastic and dedicated staff who are committed to excellence and whose vision will continue to inspire and motivate young musicians.

Christa performing in the Concert Hall

Over the past 25 years, the Suzuki Institute of Dallas has developed the most extensive curriculum of any Suzuki school in the Metroplex. We have consistently served the needs of persons 3-years old to adult. SID offers early childhood education to expectant mothers, newborns, and children up to kindergarten age. Kodomo Music, devised and pioneered by SID faculty member Donna Davis, and incorporating Suzuki repertoire, begins the musical journey for our youngest SID family members.    Another exciting activity is the offering of a group experience for our students, commencing with book one, and progressing through the lower books. As their musical needs evolve, students are placed in orchestras ( Chrysalis and Twilight), and chamber music groups.

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Students are also enrolled in Music Theory classes when they are ready for this activity.   Music Theory is an important component of every musician's education and enhances the individual lessons each student receives. SID's Music Theory classes follow the curriculum of the Texas Music Teachers Association, the standard by which music theory is graded in the State of Texas.  

Our annual Festival Concerts provide all students the opportunity to play in a fine concert hall from an early age. It is our way of showcasing the talent of every child enrolled in the school. In addition, students receive periodic master classes from visiting artists. Our goal is that every child receives the tools needed to understand and perform music on a high level.

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Meaghan and Ifayemi working on their theory

Hear Will performing "Long, long ago" - click on the link

Will

A BELIEF THAT EVERY CHILD CAN LEARN
The “Mother Tongue” approach is based on Dr. Suzuki’s belief that all children can learn when given the opportunity to develop with love and patience. Much as children learn their native language (Mother Tongue) by hearing it spoken around them, and repeating the sounds they hear, so can they learn music by listening and repetition.

ENCOURAGEMENT OF AN EARLY START

Babies begin to observe lessons as young as a few months old. By the time they are three they are ready to begin studying an instrument. While we are never too old to learn, it is better to start as early as possible. Our new Early Childhood Education classes will provide the musical basis for instrument instruction at age three.

CONSTANT OBSERVATION
Individual lessons are designed to overlap so students and parents can observe other lessons and performances. SID strongly encourages students and parents to come early and stay late thus taking advantage of the observation opportunities provided by the school.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT
A parent should attend every lesson and direct the practice at home until the teacher determines a sufficient level of independence has been achieved by the student. The parent is the teacher’s helper seven days a week and is given careful instructions at the individual lesson on how to guide the child’s practice. Our Parent Class, offered on a continuous basis, will provide the new Suzuki Parent with a variety of tools with which to maximize the experience for them and their child.

AURAL MODEL
Students listen daily to tapes or CDs of the current repertoire. Students also listen for the purpose of review and familiarization of future repertoire. Parents should play recordings of masterworks at home and take their children to concerts and recitals to hear examples of music played by professional artists.

MEMORY AND MUSIC READING
All music is memorized so that this skill becomes highly developed. Instruction by ear continues until the child is ready to read music as determined by the teacher. Most children learn quickly, as a result of having an enormous aural and technical vocabulary that is ready for translation to visual symbols.

LEARNING BY REPETITION
Suzuki students constantly review and refine pieces they have learned, effectively strengthening memory, technical skill and musical expression. Group classes meet regularly to reinforce this process.

STEP BY STEP MASTERY
Each skill is broken down into the tiniest units, which are easily assimilated and carefully mastered before continuing. This ensures the child’s success.

EVERY CHILD CAN BE EDUCATED, BUT THE PROPER WAY MUST BE FOUND
The responsibility for each child’s progress lies with the parents and the teacher. They work together to nurture ability in every child.

OUR COMMITMENT TO TALENT EDUCATION
Dr. Suzuki has charged teachers to continually research methods that will enable every child to learn. The Suzuki Institute of Dallas faculty eagerly accepts this challenge and is deeply committed to the personal development of each child in the school. As participants in a long-term learning process, we recognize the importance of a quality environment. A caring and cooperative attitude by teachers and parents will do much to create an environment where children can grow and learning will flourish. The reputation of the Suzuki Institute of Dallas and its faculty depends upon a commitment from every family to follow the standard of excellence established by Dr. Suzuki. Participation in school sponsored activities such as play-ins, solo recitals, home concerts and group performances as well as attending special workshops and summer institutes greatly enhance the learning process and provides students the motivation to make steady progress toward their goals. A routine of daily practice and listening as well as regular attendance at individual lessons and weekly group lessons is expected. The Talent Education system relies on everyone involved to continually foster that system. In a case where the teacher appraises the Talent Education approach is not operating within the family structure, the teacher may recommend that a family withdraw from the program.

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• We realize the unlimited possibilities of early education.
• We also realize that every child can be educated. Our purpose is to develop this ability, and present this fact to the world.
• We are delighted to be teachers of the Suzuki Method and fully comprehend the responsibilities we have as teachers.
• We will continue to study teaching in the future with much reflection, and through this continuing study, we will be better able to concentrate energies toward better teaching.
• We solemnly affirm that we will keep this promise as a Suzuki Method teacher.

The Suzuki Institute of Dallas, Inc. provides a stimulating environment for the study of music. A variety of individual and group experiences give every student an excellent musical foundation. The school year consists of 41 weeks of individual instruction and 33 weeks of group and theory instruction. Group and theory lessons and other activities are offered beginning the 2nd week of September, 2007 through the 2nd week of May, 2008.