Online Teaching

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced unprecedented challenges to Suzuki teaching worldwide. SAA has put together these resources to support Suzuki teachers through temporary periods of social distancing and quarantine which preclude regular, in-person individual and group lessons.

We believe Suzuki teachers have a unique opportunity to support students and parents through a difficult time. Continuing music lessons and practice, even in a modified format, helps provide normalcy and familiarity when many children experience disruption to their daily lives.

Working together as a learning community and in the spirit of Suzuki sharing, we can find solutions to the practical and social-emotional challenges we’re facing.

Please check back with this space frequently, as we will continue to add resources.

In keeping with the SAA’s commitment to creating safe learning communities, please heed any instructions from local and national health authorities regarding social distancing and quarantine. Following directives keeps us all safer and healthier at a time where collective efforts are needed for the benefit of all.

A Message from the SAA Board of Directors (March 17, 2020)

Articles

Lessons & Practice

What We Learned the Hard Way (So You Don’t Have To) by Christine Goodner
SECE During the Pandemic: My Perspective by Sharon Jones
SECE durante a pandemia: Minha perspectiva por Sharon Jones, traduzido por Mariana Moretzsohn
What is making online lessons work for you? Tips from our community by Christine Goodner
Making Online Lessons Work with Preschool Students by Christine Goodner
Practical Advice for Video Assisted Instruction by MaryLou Roberts
Coronavirus Doesn’t Have to Mean Canceled by Monica Johnston
Creating an Online Learning Eco System for Suzuki Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic by Morganne Aaberg

Group Lessons & Recitals

Ideas for Suzuki Group Classes on Zoom by teachers from the State College Suzuki Program

Working with Parents

Sample Communication with Studio Families by Trina Hodgson
The Suzuki Triangle to the Rescue in Time of Pandemic by Evelyn Osborne
Violin Book One Review Games by Sonia Macak—share with parents!
Thank You Teachers: Parents share how teachers are helping them most by Christine Goodner

From our Archives

Advice specifically for flute teachers from Sasha Garver: Using the Internet to Teach Suzuki Lessons by Sasha Garver

While this article is about using video recording in the context of in-person lessons, many of the suggested uses can also be helpful during temporary distance learning: Effective Approaches for Video Recording in Studio and Practice by Elizabeth Guerriero

Links

A reminder from the Suzuki Triangle blog by Christine Goodner: Teaching the Child in Front of You.

Violin tuning troubles? Share this article with parents! From Suzuki teacher Caitlin Smith: How to Tune Your Child’s Violin

A group of Minnesota band directors tried available distance learning platforms and wrote a guide to all the options: Comparing and Contrasting Platforms for Music Lesson Instruction by Bradley Mariska, assisted by Scott Agster, Erin Holmes, and Heidi Stodola

This three-part article series by Claire Allen on Violinist.com shares a unique perspective on virtual teaching. Covering potential upsides to practicalities to out-of-the-box thinking about lessons, these articles are great for getting unstuck when it comes to online teaching.
The Learning Potential Of Online Lessons
Practicalities of Online Lessons, for Teachers, Students and Parents
What Your Teacher Is Doing In Your Music Lesson, and How to Adapt Online

Piano teaching has particular challenges when it comes to online teaching. Clavier Companion covers some of them, as well as general advice for music teachers, here: Helpful Guidance for Piano Teachers During the COVID Crisis by Jennifer Snow

Musicians across the world, from Suzuki children to Yo-Yo Ma, are still finding ways to share their music. Suzuki teachers have suggested options from YouTube and Facebook Live concerts to porch serenades. Featured in this Washington Post article: two young cellists performed from a safe distance for an elderly neighbor in quarantine, opera from the balconies in Italy, and Yo-Yo Ma’s #songsofcomfort social media series. Two budding cellists, 9 and 6, serenade an elderly neighbor — and a locked-down world by Meagan Flynn

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