We have all watched the legends that we admire in the sports realm and wondered, what exactly makes them so great? We'll take a look at some of the habits of basketball legend Michael Jordan and how they streamlined the discipline and practice of basketball. Then we'll talk about how to apply these principles so that our students can also become "great".

This course will focus on teaching practice strategies that apply to violin, viola and cello that help turn our families and students into their own teachers. We often hear from parents and children that they don’t know what or how to practice. In addition to trying out various practicing tips, we will collaborate and compile new strategies from among those in attendance that help parents and children become more independent at home. Bring your instruments and be ready to share your own experiences along the Suzuki journey.

In this session, I will be sharing techniques that I learned from my mentors John Kendall, Doris Preucil, Almita Vamos, and colleagues. The exercises will cover techniques to be used throughout Suzuki Violin Volumes 1 – 8. Topics covered will be chosen from the list below. This session is presented as an interactive session. Teachers are strongly encouraged to bring violins to play through the exercises and experience the learning process as a group.

• Suzuki’s Walking Finger Exercise to Ysaÿe

• Dr. Suzuki’s Technique Exercises, Suzuki Violin School International Edition, Volumes 1-8 (please bring your Suzuki Books to the session)

• Steps to learning Kendall’s Circle of Keys exercise

• Vibrato development

• Development of Double-stops from the ground up

• Trill Study

Gain strategies and methods to help your students become more confident note-readers.