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| The Suzuki Method |
| "If love is deep, much can be accomplished." - Shinichi Suzuki |
| Dr. Shinichi Suzuki (1898-1998) was a violinist and the creator of Talent Education, commonly referred to a the Suzuki Method. His goal was to teach the violin to young children in order to give a sense of purpose to their lives, learn the discipline of acquiring a skill, develop an appreciation for beauty, and build noble human beings of good character who would become a source of peace in the world. |
| Dr. Haruko Kataoka 1927-2004 |
| Dr. Shinichi Suzuki 1898-1998 |
The philosophy of Talent Education is that with proper education and environment, every child can
learn to play a musical instrument well. Talent can be learned, ability can be developed, and
children can learn musical skills in the same way they learn to speak their native language. The
foundation for this process, called the Mother Tongue Approach, is the belief that musical talent is
developed, not inborn.
From its beginning as a violin method in 1945, Dr. Suzuki's philosophy was gradually applied to the
teaching of piano, flute, cello, and many other instruments. His innovative ideas for early childhood
education considered radical at the time, are now accepted as common knowledge by educators
around the world.
In 1955, Haruko Kataoka (1927-2004) moved from Tokyo to Matsumoto, Japan to serve as the
piano accompanist for Dr. Suzuki's violin lessons and classes. Realizing the potential of applying
Talent Education to piano teaching, she devoted her life to developing what is now called Suzuki
Piano Basics. She taught children and trained teachers for more than 40 years at Dr. Suzuki's
Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto and conducted workshops around the world.
learn to play a musical instrument well. Talent can be learned, ability can be developed, and
children can learn musical skills in the same way they learn to speak their native language. The
foundation for this process, called the Mother Tongue Approach, is the belief that musical talent is
developed, not inborn.
From its beginning as a violin method in 1945, Dr. Suzuki's philosophy was gradually applied to the
teaching of piano, flute, cello, and many other instruments. His innovative ideas for early childhood
education considered radical at the time, are now accepted as common knowledge by educators
around the world.
In 1955, Haruko Kataoka (1927-2004) moved from Tokyo to Matsumoto, Japan to serve as the
piano accompanist for Dr. Suzuki's violin lessons and classes. Realizing the potential of applying
Talent Education to piano teaching, she devoted her life to developing what is now called Suzuki
Piano Basics. She taught children and trained teachers for more than 40 years at Dr. Suzuki's
Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto and conducted workshops around the world.