Intense Week of Study and Play
The Hawaii Suzuki Institute 2008 was held at Iolani School July 25-29. This major event, held every other year, brings an internationally famous music faculty to Hawaii. Students from Iolani, public and private schools on Oahu and Kauai, Japan, New Zealand, and many parts of the Mainland participated.
Designed for music students, their families, and teachers who desire a weeklong study of the philosophy and pedagogy of the respected Japanese educator Shinichi Suzuki, the Hawaii Suzuki Institute provides a week of concentrated private and group instruction, motivation, and enjoyment. This intense experience eliminates distractions and results in totally focussed attention for each person, deepening the joy and meaning of their involvement in music.
Hawaii Suzuki Institute students range in age from 2 to 18, from “pre-Twinklers” to accomplished, serious musicians. This year the group included a particularly strong group of violists in addition to the traditionally strong cello and violin contingents. Each day, students took private lessons and a group performance class. The youngest students also enjoyed creative movement (taught byIolani's own Lisa Simon) and reading classes; intermediate students could choose from theory, orchestra, art, and Irish fiddling; and the most advanced students took advantage of opportunities in chamber music, college theory, viola for violinists and fiddling. Each child had an individual schedule, appropriate to his or her instrument, age, and level.
Performances during the week included the faculty recital and chamber music recitals. The gala final concert in Seto Hall featured all the group classes, from preschoolers demonstrating correct violin posture to advanced violinistsplaying Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy, a large group of violists who appeared on stage serially while presenting a Mozart Canon, and a 30 member cello choir playing Eleanor Rigby, Twinklebell Canon (move over, Pachelbel) and Spanish Dance, and a stage filled to overflowing with students, rightfully proud of their accomplishments and delighted to share the gift of music with the standing-room only audience. Institute director and Iolani orchestra teacher Kathy Hafner, the Suzuki Association of Hawaii, the students, families and faculty extend thanks to Iolani for its ongoing support of the arts and for co-sponsoring the Institute.
Iolani students who attended the 2008 Hawaii Suzuki Institute included Celia Ou, Teresa Ou, Kalani Takata, Blaise Tesoro, Aaron Wehrman, Zalman Bernstein, Sydney Yoshioka, Cole Tanigawa-Lau, John Sakamoto, Matthew Amore, Maddie Gaudlitz, Kahti Hughes, Rosemarie Chandler, Eddy Li, Daniel Luke, Liana Owen, Taylor Sakai, Alex Sasaki, Brianna Yee, Milo Young, and Roel Ylarde.
