Teaching Better and Faster in the Suzuki Style

 

As certified Suzuki instructors, Debra and Barry Bounous guide your child in learning the fundamentals of music in an effective and enjoyable way. Certification in the Suzuki Method requires additional and ongoing training, offering a unique advantage they bring to your child’s musical development.

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The Suzuki Method

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When Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, founder of the Suzuki Talent Education movement, was asked why he taught, his response was something like this:

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"First there is the love of the child; second, the love of teaching the child; and third, the love of the music being taught to the child—but the child always comes first."

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In keeping with this philosophy, every aspect of the Suzuki Method is designed to meet the individual needs of each student. Dr. Suzuki believed that by teaching children in a way that aligns with how they naturally learn, we can nurture them to become individuals of exceptional ability and strong character. One of Dr. Suzuki’s most beloved sayings reflects this vision:

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"Where love is deep, much can be accomplished."

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Children and Suzuki Singing

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A central principle of Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy is that the potential of every child is unlimited. Nurturing that potential begins very early—even before birth. Parents can help create a musically rich environment by beginning prenatal listening and continuing to nurture the singing voice through quality music and shared singing experiences.

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As singing becomes a natural part of family life, it encourages self-expression while fostering confidence, creativity, and joy. It is never too early—and never too late—to begin.

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Children Learn by Listening First

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All children learn to speak their native language by first listening to its sounds. Even before birth, they begin this process. By the sixth month of pregnancy, a baby’s auditory system is fully developed. By the time they are born, babies have already experienced months of listening—from their mother’s heartbeat to the voices and sounds of their environment.

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Music can be taught in much the same way. Like spoken language, music is fundamentally based on sound. Through consistent listening to beautiful examples of singing, children naturally absorb tone, pitch, and musical expression.

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Children Learn by Imitating Excellent Examples

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Suzuki singing teachers accept the important responsibility of nurturing both musical ability and positive character in every child. Because children naturally imitate the models around them, teachers strive to provide the finest possible example of musicianship, dedication, and attitude.

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For Suzuki singing teachers, this means ongoing study, practice, and research of the materials they teach. It also involves continually strengthening their teaching skills through professional development and educational programs.

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Children Learn Through Small Steps Mastery

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Suzuki singing supports each child’s development one step at a time. This is accomplished through singing traditional folk songs and participating in a variety of engaging musical activities.

Listening, movement, vocal exploration, and dramatic play help children experience music deeply and joyfully. Through thoughtful repetition and gradual progression, students develop strong and lasting musical skills.

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Children Learn with Support from Parents at Home

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Just as a young plant thrives when carefully nurtured, children flourish when they are supported during their important developmental years. Suzuki singing teachers work closely with parents, guiding them in how to become positive musical role models for their children.

Together, teachers and parents create a nurturing home environment where musical growth can naturally take place.

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Children Learn Through Collaboration with Others

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Suzuki education emphasizes cooperation and mutual respect rather than competition. In beginning singing classes, children and parents often learn together in small groups, developing the ability to sing and blend their voices with others.

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Through these experiences, students strengthen their listening and ensemble skills. As they become more confident with their own voices, solo singing develops naturally when the child is ready. Because Suzuki singing students learn a shared repertoire, they also have many opportunities to perform together.

Dr. Suzuki believed that the spirit of cooperation cultivated in music lessons extends beyond the studio—into the family, the community, and ultimately the world.

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Children Develop Sight Singing Skills Early

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One goal of Suzuki music education is to help young musicians become musically literate. In the Suzuki singing program, musical literacy develops naturally—much like learning to speak a language.

 

Students learn singing skills through an instructional approach known as Tonic Solfa, which uses syllables to represent pitch relationships. This method helps students internalize pitch and rhythm, gradually enabling them to sing music accurately at sight.

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The Suzuki Association of Utah (SAU)

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Barry and Debra Bounous are leading members of The Suzuki Association of Utah, a professional organization of many dedicated music teachers and families devoted to enriching people's lives through music. Created in 1977 the association provides an environment for growth through educational and performance opportunities. Utah is fortunate to have trained Suzuki teachers for voice, violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, harp and guitar. Membership offers a variety of benefits and activities for the enrichment of all its teachers, parents and students ... including an early childhood music program using the voice as the foundation instrument.