European Suzuki Association - Teachers Newsletter Vol 36 2016

5 In 2016 Helen gave the Suzuki commu- nity a wonderful gift— she wanted to make her dream come true ‘to fill the Royal Albert Hall with over 1000 chil- dren playing together, children from all over the world, across all Suzuki instru- ments, all nationalities and all lan- guages’. This event took 2 years of in- tensive preparation. The 1000 perform- ers soon became 1300 performers from 28 different countries, speaking 22 dif- ferent languages. The Royal Albert Hall was sold out in just 9 days and the event was a huge success. Not only an unforgettable concert but also a source of inspiration for all 1300 participants who had grown so much in preparing the repertoire for this Gala concert. The ESA Board is very grateful to Helen for all her work in developing the Su- zuki Method™ throughout the region and appointed her as Honorary Mem- ber at its Board meeting in April 2016. Poland for services to the Polish People. In 2013 Helen began the first Suzuki Vio- lin Teacher Training programme in Mos- cow. 2016 Honorary Member Appointment Anke van der Bijl H elen graduated on Violin from the Royal College of Music in Lon- don before discovering the Suzuki Method™ in 1968 in New York, USA. Helen’s four children each learned an instrument with a Suzuki teacher when they were little and upon returning to the UK in 1970, Helen pioneered the Suzuki Method™ in this country and founded the first Suzuki group in Europe - The London Suzuki Group. Since then Helen studied extensively with Dr Suzuki in Japan (graduating in 1983) and is currently the UK Director the European Suzuki Association Board. Helen now travels all over the world as an ESA Violin Teacher-Trainer, and has recently visited Peru, USA, Singapore, Japan, India and Australia. In July 2012 Helen was honoured to be awarded the Gold Medal for Culture & Heritage by the Ministry of Culture in Helen Brunner ESA Violin Teacher Trainer, United Kingdom March 2013 Karen-Michele Kimmett, Violin Teacher Trainer, France was a vital force in the formation of the French Suzuki Community and her tireless dedication to the development of the Suzuki Method™ has had an impact in many other parts of the world. In Can- ada, U.S.A, South Africa and Europe, her qualities as a Suzuki Teacher and humanitarian have been well recog- nised and much appreciated. Karen continues to generously share her knowledge and although now living in Canada, still works to support the ESA. March 2012 Esther Lund Madsen, Piano Teacher Trainer, Denmark was assigned by Dr. Suzuki to start the Suzuki Method™ for Piano in Denmark. Following her more than 35 years work for the Suzuki Method in Denmark and in many other European countries, Esther was ap- pointed Honorary Member of the Dan- ish Suzuki Association on 5 November 2011. September 2009 Haukur F Hannesson, Violoncello Teacher Trainer, Sweden was awarded Honorary Membership and appointed Honorary President of the ESA for his huge contribution as ESA Chairman over a period of 22 years. During this time Haukur realised his vision that the ESA would be a platform of communica- tion to facilitate the development of Su- zuki in Europe and through his strong leadership, sound advice and good guid- ance the ESA continued to develop and grow. September 2008 Birte Kelly, ESA Administra- tor, England was awarded Honorary Membership of the ESA on the an- nouncement of her impending retire- ment for her invaluable contribution to the running of the ESA as an organisation working both as Deputy Chairman and Administrator for over 20 years. September 2006 Lo l a Tavo r , P i ano Teache r Trainer, Switzerland was awarded Hon- orary Membership of the ESA in recogni- tion of her service to the Suzuki Method™ over many years. September 2006 Jeanne Janssens, Violin Teacher Trainer, Belgium was awarded Honor- ary Membership of the ESA in recogni- tion of a lifelong and outstanding ser- vice to the Belgian Suzuki Association, the ESA and the International Suzuki Community. September 2005 Tove Detreköy, Violin Teacher Trainer and Bela Detreköy from Den- mark were awarded Honorary Mem- bership of the ESA following their re- cent election as Honorary Members of the Danish Suzuki Association. This award recognised and celebrated their contribution to the development of the Suzuki Method™ in Denmark and in Europe. October 1994 Judy W Bossuat-Gallic, Violin Teacher Trainer, France was awarded Honorary Membership of the ESA in recognition of her services to the ESA as a founder member and a driving force behind all that has been achieved to date. This honour came at a time when Judy moved from France to live in the United States of America. ESA Honorary Members