European Suzuki Association - Teachers Newsletter Vol 36 2016

19 Violin Teacher Training in Zimbabwe Karen-Michele Kimmett I n April this year, the first ESA Violin Teacher Training Course was held in Zimbabwe. Twelve enthusiastic teachers, including one from Zambia who had travelled twelve long hours on a dusty bus, partici- pated in their first ESA Teacher Training Course in Harare. Prior to this course, three SAA Suzuki Violin Teachers completed an ESA Practi- cum Course to enable them to apply for ESA Recognition and continue their train- ing in Zimbabwe under the ESA Teacher Training Program. Building on an inspiring workshop led by Helen Brunner, ESA Violin Teacher Trainer in February 2014; an Introductory session held by myself in June 2015 and the enthusiastic organisational skills of SAA Cellist and Violinist Amy Macy, the teachers participated in an intensive ses- sion of playing, observation and in depth study and discussion of the Suzuki Method™. With almost a decade of Suzuki Violin teaching in Harare inspired by SAA Violin- ist Michele Higa-George, the afternoon sessions saw many families and stu- dents of these teachers participating in the course observation lessons. Members of the Saturday class for orphans (under the direction of Ivy Decker-Jones) also participated in these classes as did the young stu- dents of Cabby Stirling. Many of the course participants cur- rently teach in local private schools with students beginning the music program at an older age. Following the course, many teachers affirmed their desire to begin teaching younger students with the Suzuki Method™ pedagogy. The fruits of the teachers’ daily work on Twinkles as the foundation for balanced bows and ringing tones could clearly be heard on the last day of the course. The energy and excitement of the new ESA Level 1 Course is greatly supported by a dedicated group of parents under the guidance of Mara Gallante. A few Zimbabwe families had previ- ously been able to attend an overseas Summer Camp at Bryanston, UK each time returning to Zimbabwe with re- newed enthusiasm and motivation to further develop the Suzuki Method™ throughout Zimbabwe. Several fundraising concerts and events have helped to finance the Level 1 Course with donations coming from as far away as Canada and the United States. It is hoped that funds can be raised for a Level 2 Course to be organ- ised next year. Although there are challenges related to the current political and monetary situa- tion and the isolation that these issues can bring, nonetheless there is a pro- found desire in Zimbabwe to have more children and families benefit from a Su- zuki education given by well trained teachers. Envisioning future collaborations be- tween SASA (South African Suzuki Asso- ciation), Zimbabwe and Zambia, one can hear the resonance of Dr. Suzuki’s ideas echoing from Harare to Bulawayo, one child and one teacher at a time.