suzuki violin teacher in London - any recommendations?

[Michaelahpurple]

Searching for a suzuki violin teacher for my 5 year old in London. He is a bit of a handful, so need someone who is keen on teaching tinies (which is why I am looking into suzuki).
Can anyone recommend anyone?

sorry cannot recommend but curious that if he's a 'bit of a handful' why are you keen on the Suzuki method?

try this

I can't recommend anyone in particular but can certainly recommend the method.

I can't recommend it highly enough - and in London there are lots of teachers and lots of groups so you can choose something that suits you. Having said that, they are all greatly in demand, so start looking as soon as possible.

Most teachers will want you to attend a group lesson several times a term as well as an individual lesson, so look to see which groups have a schedule to suit you. For instance some hold all their groups midweek, and some on Saturday morning.

The groups generally encourage you to observe a few sessions so that you can see if it will suit you and your child.

For us it is the social side of playing an instrument that has made the whole thing work - which is why I would recommend the Suzuki method, or anything other method that requires group activities.

Let us know what you find.

Thanks so much for the input. Re why suzuki if a handful, it was recommended by the school music teacher - I think she felt that it not be led my music reading would be helpful (although reading is the one schools skill apart from singing that he does really well!).

I feel encouraged - will report back!

Why suzuki?? Can you not find a good teacher who specialises in teaching the very young - there are many about. IME Suzuki groups can be very anarchic.

Am very much enjoying imagining anarchy in a Suzuki violin class...

Please, please, please describe the anarchy. It would add a new dimension to any Suzuki Violin class I have ever been to.

Twinkle twinkle little star...RIOT.....

I would love someone to explain the benefit of the twinkle focus for me. Was considering moving my daughter to Suzuki altho she's done the traditional method for more than 2 years but could not bear the thought of her going through the twinkle drill (could be wrong but thought it might be demoralsing for her).

Londoner2 & caffeineaddict - IME, the anarchy consists of Hugos and Henriettas (apologies to anyone who has DC by those names) stropping and stomping around the class, not wanting to participate as they were there under duress, and just playing what they wanted to. Hugely entertaining to an observer (as I was) but I'm sure that the darling children's parents would have been horrified. The teacher in the class I observed had absolutely no control - hence the anarchic reference!

Thank you applesandcider. Truly hilarious!

Thanks for that. A lovely picture.

Interesting though - normally the parents are in the class which keeps the whole thing calmer (or at least they then wouldn't be horrified by the behaviour because they are there to witness it ..). Presumably the parents weren't in the class you observed.

Some of the classes are amazing - it depends on the teacher. You do need a very good one to keep control of a large group of three to five year olds. The important thing is to go and observe the classes before comiting to the lessons.

IME it is the teacher that is more important than the method - a good teacher and Suzuki is a brilliant combination, but a good teacher that can work well with your child is the most important thing.

My son could also be described as a handful - though certainly no little Hugo. Such was his anarchy that Suzuki teacher called me and suggested trying something else. (I couldn't attend lessons - working - thank goodness) Switched to private lessons on different instrument and has progressed really well. His loathing of Twinkle Twinkle remains to this day.

The best place to look for qualified Suzuki teachers in London is via the website of the London Suzuki Group at www.londonsuzukigroup.co.uk.

Most if not all qualified Suzuki teachers will require a parent (or responsible guardian) to accompany the child at each and every lesson and be present at their daily practise sessions. So the success of the method is partly based on the parent/guardian learning with the child. After all, how can one expects a five year old (or younger in some cases) to remember what they have learned in the lesson let alone remembering what the teacher has set for home work?
In my experience, all the qualified Suzuki teachers in London are excellent at handling children of all types. This is what differentiates them from the rest!

As mentioned previously, qualified Suzuki teachers in London are in great demand. It is not unusual for the best ones to have waiting lists approaching 2 years. So good luck and get your child on a waiting list as soon as you can!

My twins started violin at age 5. DS went traditional while DD went Suzuki. Fast forward 6 years. The Suzuki child has better technique but style is robotic and wooden. Also her reportoire is more limited plus her sight reading isnt as good as DS.
Suzuki is great for the first few years but then its advantages become its disadvantage.

Suzuki is no silver bullet, but it does allow childern to start younger, and more importantly encourages parent engagement particularly during the early years. Fast forward several years, DD won music scholarship at senior school, got a place in NYO, led the Chamber Orchestra at the RCM Junior department at 16 and the Symphony Orchestra at 17. So it is not all bad.

Hello everyone. I'm a suzuki teacher from North America, I just moved to London recently and am accepting new students. Please contact me if you're looking for someone!

regards,

Ariane Alexander