Dominican Republic Every Child Can Course, June 3, 2008

Course organizer Angela Holguin

An Every Child Can course took place on June 3, 2008, at the National Conservatory of Music in Santo Domingo. This course was organized by Angela Holguin, in coordination with Marta Hernandez in Puerto Rico (only an hour away by plane!) and sponsored by the Gisela Foundation. Angela had written to me asking if I could possibly teach an additional course. She had filled the class quota of 30 and had almost as many on a waiting list! Unfortunately as I only had one day in the Dominican Republic, it was impossible to add another course to the schedule.

Cello student

The participants were fascinated to hear about the Suzuki philosophy and anxious to learn new approaches to music teaching. At the end of the course we had the pleasure of hearing some young violinists and cellists who had traveled with their parents from a marginalized community in El Bosque, about 40 kilometers from Santo Domingo, to play for us. These families live in extreme poverty. They participate in an outreach program started by the Gisela Foundation, with teachers Angela Holguin (cello) and Camille Berroa (violin). This is funded by Vilma Miranda, a Suzuki cello teacher from the Dominican Republic currently living in Texas. The Gisela Foundation brings the children and their parents to Santo Domingo once a week for their lessons. These teachers in Puerto Rico and in the Dominican Republic clearly demonstrate the power of Dr Suzuki’s message: that by working together we can change the world. Felicitaciones a todos!

Caroline Fraser graduated from Edinburgh University with a Bachelor of Music degree and studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, obtaining the diplomas Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music (piano) and Associate of the Royal College of Music (violin). She obtained a Masters of Music degree with Kodaly emphasis from Holy Names University (HNU) in California, where she continues to direct the Summer Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Institute. Caroline is an ESA and SAA teacher trainer. After many years living in Lima, Peru, and California, USA she currently resides in Edinburgh, Scotland. Caroline is a member of the SAA Latin American Teacher Trainers Committee, the SAA Latin American Country Association Committee, and the Suzuki Association of Peru Festival Committee. She has given teacher training courses all over Latin America, the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Caroline is passionate about making Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy known to all and promoting a natural approach to learning.

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