Rainbow Suzuki Strings

Image by (Sandra) Chris Davis

The SAA 2004 Conference will present a special performance by Rainbow Suzuki Strings, children from the Chambers School Suzuki Violin Program.

The Chambers School Suzuki Violin Program began in February, 2001, under the direction of Michele Higa George and Diane Slone. The program offers the opportunity for 20 kindergarten students to begin the study of violin each year. As of Fall, 2003, there are 50 students in kindergarten through third grade participating in the program.

East Cleveland, Ohio, a near suburb of Cleveland, is a hugely underserved community. Chambers School is in an area that qualifies for the federal free breakfast, lunch and uniform programs. Things that are taken for granted in many parts of our country—telephone and electric service, for instance—are missing for many families of Chambers’ students. There are many, many people in extended family living situations. Many of the Chambers’ students have grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles and sisters who serve as the violin parent.

The violin “parent” is an integral part of the program. Individual lessons are held during the school day. Parents participate in the lessons, learning to play the violin along with their children. Part of the learning process includes helping the parent learn how to create a learning Rainbow environment that allows the child to practice effectively at home. Sometimes this means practicing in one corner of a common room while someone is watching television on the other side of the room!

When students have polished their Twinkle variations, they are able to join the Saturday group lesson portion of the Suzuki program at The Cleveland Institute of Music. This fall, there will be 25 students who are eligible to participate at CIM, 10 of whom will also be participating in the Suzuki theory program. The association with CIM is beneficial for both communities, broadening the base of possible friendship and understanding for all of the families.

Rainbow Suzuki Strings

The program at Chambers School has given students a sense of pride—a feeling of being special because they have something they can call their own. This feeling has carried over into the students’ lives and has given them the incentive to stay in school and work hard. They also have the opportunity to spend quality time with a parent figure on a daily basis. Many parents and extended family members have experienced a positive shift in how they interact with these young students Both parties feel a sense of accomplishment and dedication to the process

This program is affecting not only those families directly involved, but the greater Chambers School and East Cleveland communities as well. The impact of these students’ achievements reaches far beyond the individual students and their families!

When Dr. Suzuki first started Suzuki Talent Education in Japan, he did so in order to bring something positive into the lives of children who had nothing, whose entire world had been devastated by the war. We are fortunate to be able to continue Dr. Suzuki’s work with the community at Chambers School.