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hctshanghaiOffline
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Post  Posted: June 23, 2008 - 12:36 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top
Post subject: Suzuki violin and cello instructor in Pudong

Hello! We're moving to Shanghai(Pudong) area, Season's Villas in August. My 3 older children have been taking Suzuki violin and cello lessons here in U. S . Would like to continue the Suzuki method if possible. Does anyone have a good Suzuki teacher for violin and cello that speaks some English as well? My children are ages 10, 9 and 7 and I have a 4 year old that I want to get started. If not a Suzuki trained violinist/cellist, perhap someone could suggest a good violin/cellist instructor that speaks some English and good with teaching children. Thanks.
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Post  Posted: June 24, 2008 - 08:47 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

good luck. i've interviewed many teachers claiming to teach suzuki method. i have not found one yet that actually does. many will use the books for material but do not follow the methodology. for example, my younger child is in book 3 but really wants to play the vivaldi a minor. his teacher thought that was just fine. me? notsomuch.

i've found that i've had to change my expectations. this past year we have gone thru much more supplemental material than anything suzuki related. while i don't believe my children are advancing much, they are having fun.

pm me w/ other questions.
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hctshanghaiOffline
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Post  Posted: June 24, 2008 - 11:04 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

I've heard that from a couple other people about needing to change expectations. That is too bad. I would think that in a country of billions of people, there would be an actual Suzuki certified instructor, somewhere in the Shanghai area! I love the Suzuki method. I know a family that returned to the US in December and she said her sons are now behind. Well, I was wondering if you are in the Pudong area? How is your teacher with kids anyhow. Having fun and learning an instrument isn't all that bad. Does your teacher come to your house for lessons? Could you tell me what the average lesson price is for violin? Thank you for your response.
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varkenmomOffline
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Post  Posted: June 24, 2008 - 08:46 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

apparently, i would be the only suzuki certified teacher i know in china. and i'm not teaching. and i am DEFINITELY not teaching my children.

that said, yes. in terms of achievement, my children are NOT doing what we were doing before. but much of this is ALSO doing to adjusting to the culture, the lifestyle etc. it is a HUGE adjustment, moving from the states. pudong OR puxi. i'm hoping this is just for the 1st year. tomorrow they complete they're first full school year.

we are in puxi. our teacher JUST moved to pudong, but still makes the trek to our house 1x a week for 2 hrs for my children. she does NOT feel comfortable with me in the room, taking notes. but the ARE learning. and they are playing. because i am a teacher, i brought loads of material with me - things i know they would be capable playing in the next year or two. barbara barber material, barrage fiddling things... just fun things to picque their interest. i make sure we review review review, but we are NOT learning anything new. or technique. out the window. i am NOT saying it's bad. it is just DIFFERENT.

as far as cost? lower than in the states (but not much, since we are expats we are charged expat prices). but no group lessons. your older ones might be able to do an orchestral thing if they've been reading - and SITE READING - but the little ones will be hard pressed to have outside enrichment for awhile.

our teacher LOVES the violin. she plays beautifully. and i can tell she loves the children. it's just not the same. and when we go home for our home visit and go to camp (we live near the American Suzuki Institute) we are in for a bit of a wake up call. but since i am a product of this cult (my mother is also a suzuki teacher), and am known in the circles, i am forgiven from straying from the flock, so to speak...

good luck. and look me up when you arrive. i may just be convinced to start a program here. i've already been "shanghai-ed" to lead an end of year recital with all the violin kids in our school (including mine own). a little suzuki rep, a little chinese farewell song, we're on our way!

again, use the pm. i'll give you my contact details then. and maybe i'd even cross o'er the reever...
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