Puerto Rico Every Child Can and Kodaly Workshop, May 30 to June 1, 2008

An Every Child Can course and a Kodaly Workshop organized by Marta Hernandez took place in San Juan from May 30 through June 1, 2008. These courses were sponsored by the National Conservatory of Music, the Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe, the Hotel Gallery Inn and the Gisela Foundation. Gisela Inés Garcia was a very active and beloved Suzuki violin teacher who died in March, 2005, at the age of 32. The Foundation was formed in her name to continue her life’s work. It is remarkable how this act has truly kept Gisela alive in everyone’s hearts; Gisela’s passion for teaching young children is contagious. Everywhere I went I met Gisela’s friends and family who radiated pure joy when her name was mentioned, while supporting this project with enthusiasm and love.

Lydia Mills, Caroline Fraser, and Marta Hernandez

When Marta asked me to give a Kodaly workshop in Puerto Rico, I initially refused. I do not know a great deal of children’s vocal repertoire in Spanish and have not taught classroom music for many years. After much persuasion I finally agreed to give the workshop on condition that I could co-teach with someone who had the skills and experience I lacked. Marta agreed and I invited my colleague Lydia Mills to team teach. We had both studied Kodaly methodology for our Master’s degrees at Holy Names University in Oakland, California. In addition, Lydia speaks fluent Spanish, has collected children’s songs and games from many Latin American countries and currently teaches using the Kodaly approach in an elementary school. The workshop was such a success that Lydia is now in communication with the national Conservatory, planning continued and more intensive teacher training courses in Kodaly, and hoping to invite a Hungarian teacher to join the faculty. It was a pleasure and an honor to be part of planting that first seed. Congratulations to Marta and everyone involved in the Gisela Foundation for your dedication and initiative. Thank you, Gisela, for your inspiration!

Fundación y conservatorio workshop participants

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.

Send a message to Caroline Fraser