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We are a creative musical community, dedicated to nurturing each child's full potential.


SuzNews
Online Volume 5, Issue 2
News from The National Capital Suzuki School of Music                           November 6, 2014                                    

SuzukiMusic Office:

Arts Court
2 Daly Avenue, M-74
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6E2


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In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Board of Directors 2014-2015
Smiles All Around Me Play In
Studio Spotlight
Student Spotlight
Parent Education Corner
Faculty Benefit Concert
Teen Mentorship Course
Volunteer Roundup
Quick Links
SuzukiMusic is funded by
City of Ottawa
City of Ottawa Arts Funding
 

 



Our Partners

NAC logo 2011-12

 

Fine Strings Logo

 

     

The Sound Post 

  

Strings and Things 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

Smiles All Around Us Play-in    
Saturday, November 29, 1:30pm
(students arrive at 1:00pm)
Canterbury HS Cafeteria

Group Class Dates:
  • No Classes at Canterbury November 8th, 2014, SAO Conference weekend
  • Group Classes continue November 15th and 22nd, 2014
  • Group Class Break Nov 29th to January 10th, 2015
  • Group classes resume January 17th, 2015
New Parent Orientation 
Saturday January 10th, 2015
Canterbury HS. 10AM to 11:30 AM

Teen Mentorship Course 
with Elayne Ras 
Saturday January 10th, 2015, 1 - 6pm
Bells Corners United Church, 3955 Richmond Road, Nepean, K2H 5C5


For Studio Recitals Schedule 
 

Please support our Sponsors!

 

Click the ads below.  

Let them know you saw it here! 

 

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Thank you to all of our Sponsors! 
Board of Directors 2014-2015
Welcome and thank you!   

 

Here is your new Board of Directors, as elected during our 2014 Annual General Meeting. A warm welcome to our newest members Cynthia McMinn and Elizabeth Boston, longstanding SuzukiMusic parents. 

 

We'd also like to say a very special thank you to outgoing board member,
Rolly Aubrey, who has dedicated YEARS of Service to the school as Board Member, President, and Past President. Though he is no longer sitting on the Board he continues to volunteer countless hours behind the scenes developing and improving our school's online presence. 



 

Smiles All Around Me Play In 
November 29th, 2014 1:30 PM
Students are asked to arrive at 1pm for tuning. 

Our School Theme this year is Smiles All Around Me. Dr. Suzuki said "parents who have smiling faces have children who have smiling faces", and "Children learn to smile from their parents".

This year's Play In will be sure to generate lots of smiles! 



 

Studio Spotlight                         
Judy's Studio Takes the 21 Day Practice Challenge

Gemma Rudnicki models her Challenge Case Tag.
During the month of October, students in Judy's studio were challenged to practice 21 days in a row. Lesson days could be counted as practice and listening counted on days when students were sick. Upon completion of their Challenge Practice Chart, students could trade it in for their Challenge Case Tag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Spotlight                        
Breen O'Connor-Nugent raising Coins for Cancer

For many families Sunday mornings are reserved for sugary cereals and cartoons, but for Tanya O'Connor and her 10-year-old son Breen, the last day of the weekend is spent strumming on the street.

The young guitarist has raised over $240 for cancer research in just three Sundays busking on Elgin Street. He's raising money for the CIBC Run for the Cure so people will have a better chance at fighting the fatal disease.

Breen's grandmother died of breast cancer in 2007.

While he doesn't remember too much about his grandma, his mother said the two were "buddies."

"I remember she was nice," said Breen over the clink of coins landing in his silver bucket. "She was friends with animals. That's mostly all I know about her."

The Run for the Cure fundraiser isn't the only cause Breen has strummed his heart out for.

He's busked to raise money for the YMCA's Strong Kids program and even to raise money to go see a movie. He plans to do more fundraising for cancer research in the future.

"It feels nice that I can help people who have a disease and I hope they can live a longer life," he said.

It's not everyday that you meet a 10-year-old kid who truly thinks about others ahead of himself.

 

Click the link to read more about Breen in the MetroNews article and to see a video clip of him busking.

 


Congratulations Breen!  You are a great example of how kids can make a difference in the world around them.  

 

 

 

Parent Education Corner                   

Notes on Practicing: 

Beauty and Strength in Repetition


 

Kathryn Cobbler, Parent Education Coordinator
 

In Nurtured by Love, Dr. Shin'ichi Suzuki outlines the importance of Repetition in a student's quest to becoming "a person of fine ability" and how there is so much training to be done to fully embody

 skills on our instrument.  The Question is, how does one begin on this journey?  By "repeat[ing] something until it is easy-herein lies the ability of developing your own talents." (NBL,53)


 

Suzuki Highlights that ability "is created only when you make efforts to develop it." (NBL, 53).  As students work through each level of the Suzuki method, there are many skills that must be internalized before venturing to the next step indevelopment.  An integral part of this process lies in the strength of repetition.  For something as simple as the concept of repeating a phrase or note sequence, there are many challenges that can accompany the process for a young Suzuki student.  As parents and home teachers, it is imperative that one understands the importance of repetition in the learning process, and how it best serves students during practice time.

 

Read the Full Article Here


 

 

Faculty Benefit Concert                  
A Warm Thank You

A huge thank you to our Faculty and guest performers for volunteering their time to practice and perform last month's Faculty Benefit Concert, to our volunteers who helped the show run smoothly, and to all those who came out and supported the cause by attending the concert or donating online. Together we raised $1,155.00, a huge help to our Bursary Program. Many, Many Thanks!


 
Teen Mentorship Course with Elayne Ras                         
January 10th, 2015

Attention all Teens! 
This course is run every two years so don't miss out on your chance to take it - you will learn skills that will help you with your own Suzuki studies, give you tools for working with children and give you an option to earn volunteer hours and/or make some money! Great for your personal growth and great for the Resume!

Location: Bells Corners United Church, 3955 Richmond Road, Nepean, K2H 5C5

Students Eligible: Ages 13 and up (by January 10th) and in Book 4 and up

Registration Deadline: November 30th, 2014

Cost: 95$ (tax included)

Course content:

  • Suzuki philosophy (including viewing of "Nurtured by Love" video)
  • Role and responsibilities of the mentor

1.         Towards the teacher

2.         Towards the parent

3.         Towards the student

  • Learning styles and developmental stages
  • Practicing methods and strategies
  • Games
  • Nurturing ownership
  • Handling the business side of things.

1.         Communicating with parents

2.         Advertising your services

3.         Setting your rates and getting paid

4.         Making your schedule

5.         Make-up policy

6.         Cancellation policy

  • Required readings: "Nurtured by Love" by S. Suzuki

Students are required to observe 3 book 1 lessons, and 2 book 1 group classes within four weeks upon completion of the course, in order to receive their certificate


Click here to download registration form.  


 

Volunteer Roundup
How can you help?

volunteer_signup2_hdr.jpg

Since our school is a non-profit corporation and registered charity, we could not function without the dedication and support that is given by all of our parent, student, faculty and community volunteers, year after year. Please take a moment to browse the volunteer sign-up website to volunteer for our special events and group class days.

Where is your help needed most?
You can also contact me directly for any information regarding volunteering at [email protected].
www.suzukimusic.ca

"Ottawa's best children's music school, where music makes family time count again."
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