Information About Elizabeth - Wakefield teacher -

(5 reviews)

Personal Description:

“Art is not in some far-off place. A work of art is the expression of a man's whole personality, sensibility and ability.”

Shinichi Suzuki

I'm Elizabeth, violinist and passionate Suzuki violin teacher!

Tutoring Experience:

I was born in Rostov-on-Don which is a city with a rich musical tradition located in southern Russia. I started my musical education at the age of eight in a Specialist Music School. Where I committed 10 years of my life to learning the violin by following a demanding schedule. During that time I was involved in many concerts as a solo player, a member of the school orchestra and ensembles. It was at that time I started my first tuition helping my tutor by assisting her during lessons. In 2006 I decided to move to England to take up a place in Leeds College of Music where I completed a BA in Classical Music. This gave me a fantastic opportunity to play in the college Symphony Orchestra and numerous ensembles. Outside the college I regularly perform at entertainment concerts. Throughout my teaching career I have managed to tutor a number of students of different ages and levels. This includes preparing them for exams or just learning for personal satisfaction and development.

Tutoring Approach:

“Talent is not inborn” Shinichi Suzuki

If you can speak your own language and hear the differences in accents that means that you have good enough ear and fine motor skills to become a sound violinist!
I'm not just a violin teacher. I am an attentive caring supportive person who is there to help you or your child to develop your ability to realize your potential and to help you to awaken your creative gift through Suzuki method violin tuition! The process of learning with me is an immersion into your soul, where we find its most beautiful insights and help them reveal themselves through playing the violin.

About the Suzuki Method

The method is based on the assumption that a child can learn to play a musical instrument following the same principles as learning a first language. This theory of learning suggests that through repetitive listening and ear-playing learning can take place in the most natural way. The Suzuki Method is a fun and engaging way for children to learn music, effective not only for achieving high standards of violin playing but also for developing determination, creativity, sensitivity, concentration and many more qualities in children.

‘The method is not an education of the violin; it is education by the violin’ Shinichi Suzuki
Dr Suzuki was a Japanese violinist, educator and humanitarian who believed in the great potential of music to enrich children's lives and developed a method of music education to enable children to play music to their highest possible level of ability but the main mission of the method is to groom children’s souls. It's a holistic approach that helps children to develop key qualities to become well-rounded, perceptive, resilient human beings who achieve great results in all areas of their lives. Some of those qualities are

Self-esteem/Optimism

Suzuki set the learning journey in a such way that it is impossible to fail. The tiniest steps are taken so gradually that the child is destined to achieve. Every achievement fulfills both parents and children with optimism, raising their self-esteem and belief that anything is possible if the correct approach is used.

Persistence/self-discipline

As Suzuki expressed it ‘Practice shall happen on the day you eat’! To start with it doesn’t have to be a long, ten-minute one-point focused practice is fantastic for developing not only playing skills but such qualities as persistence and self-discipline. Parents can’t believe when after just a few weeks of consistent practice, children start to want to practice themselves!

Desire to improve

Skills and pieces are broken down into manageable chunks, and games, songs and imagery are used to ensure learning is enjoyable. Children learn in a safe and positive environment, where they progress quickly and achieve fantastic results with support, encouragement and sincere praise from parents and teacher. This is when they develop a desire to do even better!

Overcoming fears and drawbacks

Learners are exposed to public performances right from the start and that is an invaluable experience that helps to overcome fears and develop self-control.

Communication skills

Finally, the Suzuki method is fantastic for the development of communication skills. Making music is all about having fun and communicating with others. In the Suzuki approach, learners have a weekly individual lesson and also attend group lessons, workshops and perform in concerts - right from the beginning children enjoy playing music together and see their peers doing the same thing, parents meet and share their experiences, and life-long friendships are forged!

What is the difference between conventional teaching and the Suzuki method?

Often, in conventional methods of teaching the instrument. The child is initially forced to face not only the complexity of an instrument but he or she is expected to decipher written music with the complex notation of the sound, which they are not yet able to produce!
Instead, Suzuki suggests starting the training through intensive listening to music to develop a musical ear and passion for music. Then extremely simple material is introduced in the form of a game that can be completed without making mistakes. It is repeated until it becomes easy, then the next step is introduced, and so on. This ‘No Mistakes’ practice is the start of building confidence and enthusiasm!

Is Suzuki method suitable for adults wanting to learn to play the violin?

Of course, yes! This method allows you to progress much faster while the process itself is much more enjoyable and fun. Suzuki method allows you to perfectly develop your ear, which gives you the freedom to play the instrument. Also, in my teaching, I include an element of improvisation to give you the opportunity to express yourself and your emotions through your favourite instrument. As a person who has been playing the violin for almost 30 years, I can assure you that this is a real pleasure! It allows you to free yourself from doubts and fears, and in return develops the ability to concentrate, a sense of calmness and clarity.