What is Suzuki Voice?

Suzuki Voice is based on the method developed by violinist Dr. Suzuki more than 50 years ago.

Suzuki voice can be taught in groups for preschool-aged children. After the age of 3 some are ready for private or family lessons. The program continues on through adolescence and early adulthood.

Päivi Kukkamäki from Finland is the pioneer in the method for singing. In 1986 she went to Japan and after many discussions with Dr. Suzuki himself, the idea of teaching singing using this method was born.

Päivi has since trained prominent experienced singing teachers throughout the world to adapt this approach to teaching young children to sing.

When to Begin?

The Suzuki Voice program caters for pregnant mothers, infants and preschool children right up through to the teenage years.

Singing to the child can begin as early as when he/she is in the womb. It is now believed that the foetus at 4 months is able to hear sounds because the structure of the ear at this stage corresponds to that of an adult.

At 6 months the foetus can react to both high and low pitches. After birth babies have shown signs of recognition when they hear songs that were played to them while in the womb. They stop crying, or they show joyful expressions when they hear their song.

In preschool classes mothers and/or fathers do the class with their child and the teacher acts as a guide. The classes are kept small 6-7 maximum.

Some children may be ready for individual lessons from age 4-5 or may share a lesson with another child. Family lessons with siblings are also common providing the age difference is not too great.

Parents sit in all Suzuki Voice lessons and take notes and record the lesson. Their social skills are developed through interaction with other children in the group classes where they share a common bond. The children enjoy the contact they have with their fellow singers and feel safe and happy.

Environment

A good musical environment filled with songs on tapes, CDs or MP3 players, is essential to train the ears and musical sense of babies. Mothers can sing or hum while bathing , dressing and playing with their babies. According to Dr. Suzuki, without environmental stimulants there is no musical aptitude in newborns. This ability has to be "educated".

Aim

The aim of the Suzuki Voice program is to foster singing ability mainly through the song approach in the early years. Later when the student is ready and has developed enough physically, other techniques from traditional well-established schools of singing are gradually incorporated into the teaching.

Training of clear articulation and verbal skills is very important and singing and listening daily is essential. Other aspects pertaining to voice care are taught from the very beginning.

Children learn to feel confident and self-assured with the help of singing as well as experiencing a high level of concentration.

By the time a student is an adolescent the voice is capable of more advanced repertoire and many styles of song are learned.

CONTACT:
Laura Bernay Dip.Arts Mus. Grad. Dip. Ed. Advanced Accreditation Suzuki Voice Stage One
Teacher Trainer for Western Australia
www.voicetuition.com.au
(Perth, Western Australia)