12 2025 Teacher Trainer Appointments brothers. Two of them began playing the violin, and although I longed to follow in their footsteps, it was decided that I would take up the cello instead. In hindsight, this was a wonderful decision. Gjøvik had a vibrant musical environment for children and young people, and I was fortunate to receive many opportunities to develop my skills. This path eventually led me to the Norwegian Academy of Music, and from there into freelance work with symphony orchestras in Oslo. Alongside performing, I began teaching children and quickly discovered how much I loved it. Over time, teaching in the local Culture Schools became an increasingly important part of my professional life. My introduction to the SUZUKI™ world came almost by coincidence. I had never heard of the method until I saw Anne Berit Halvorsen and her violin group perform on Norwegian Broadcasting. I was deeply impressed by the young children, playing beautifully from memory with such a lovely sound: a seed was planted. My husband, a violin professor, returned from teaching at a workshop in Denmark with stories about Anders Grøn and his inspiring way of teaching. The good news was that Anders was about to launch a new Level 1 SUZUKI™ Course in Copenhagen. Curious and motivated, I decided to enrol in 2003, together with my dear friend and colleague, Ingrid Søfteland. That marked the beginning of the Suzuki cello journey in Norway. For five years, I travelled regularly to Denmark, completing all levels of training with Anders. I will always be grateful for the inspiration and knowledge he shared, and through those courses I also met wonderful colleagues, including my friend and later mentor, Dorte Rolff-Petersen. Since completing my first Suzuki exam in 2003, the Method has been an essential part of my life and teaching. The SUZUKI™ philosophy profoundly shaped my practice: the belief that every child can learn, the importance of small steps, learning by heart, careful listening and review, the wellstructured repertoire, group learning, and above all, the nurturing of a positive and encouraging environment. These ideas resonated with me, reminding me of the supportive musical community I had experienced as a child. Through SUZUKI™, I find that same spirit of inspiration, both in the classroom with children and parents, and among colleagues around the world. After many years of teaching, I was encouraged to apply to become a Suzuki Instructor. At the time, there were only a handful of cello teachers in Norway, three in Oslo and two in Bergen, and we hoped to grow the Suzuki cello community further. I applied in 2020 and was accepted in June of that year. During my instructorship, I was fortunate to be supervised by my colleague and mentor, Dorte RolffPetersen. I observed her courses in Aarhus, assisted her in Denmark, and learned a great deal about both the practical and pedagogical aspects of running teacher training courses. I also had the privilege, during my instructorship, of attending international workshops such as: Aarhus Cello Expo, the Children’s Convention in Cuneo, and Cellofest International Summer School. Observing distinguished teachers including Carey Beth Hockett, Anja Maja, Eulàlia Suberà, Ruben Rivera, Brendan Conroy, and Chantal Latil gave me invaluable insights and inspired me with fresh ideas. The generosity of the Suzuki community, its willingness to share knowledge and learn from one another, is something I deeply value. In 2023, we launched the very first SUZUKI™ Cello Teacher Training course in Norway, with Dorte as Teacher Trainer and myself as Instructor. Six participants joined and all successfully passed their Level 1 exam. This was a milestone for us, and a true joy to witness. Today, I am thrilled to see the Norwegian Suzuki cello community growing, with six new and dedicated teachers recently joining. I am currently teaching at two wonderful Culture Schools in Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad, as well as working with private students. I also have the joy of performing regularly with a project orchestra called Orkester Innlandet. Looking ahead, I am truly excited to continue building Suzuki teacher training here in Norway and to share the SUZUKI™ spirit with even more teachers, children, and parents. Hilde Sponberg Hansen VIOLONCELLO, NORWAY I grew up in Gjøvik, a small town in Norway, in a family with three
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