January 2014 MIC Suzuki Sentinel

“Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart.” - Shinichi Suzuki

Greetings, Suzuki families! Welcome to MIC's Suzuki e-newsletter. Each month, we'll be sending you the latest news and information from MIC's Suzuki program. For more information about any of the items in this newsletter, please contact your private teacher. You may also contact Blake Brasch, Director of the MIC Suzuki Program at or Sarah Montzka, Associate Director of the MIC Suzuki Program at .

In this month's issue:

  • Suzuki Sunday
  • Teacher Spotlight: Nina Wallenberg
  • It's time for the 100-Day Practice Challenge
  • Make your practice sessions more enjoyable with a Home Practice Consultation
  • 2014 SuzukinspirationParent Events
  • Registration for Mid-Winter workshops is now open
  • MIC Suzuki student/instructor news, activities & performances
  • 2014 Suzuki Event Calendar

Suzuki Sunday

There is no Suzuki Sunday in February. Our next Suzuki Sunday will take place March 9, 2014 in the Thoresen Performance Center at the Winnetka campus. For more information, please contact your private teacher.

  • 1:00 Piano/guitar/harp jamboree
  • 1:00-3:00 Suzuki parent orientation for new Suzuki parents or anyone who would like a refresher - room 124. RSVP with your private teacher.
  • 2:00 Cello/bass jamboree
  • 3:15 Solo recital (by teacher recommendation)
  • 4:00 Violin/viola/flute jamboree

Teacher Spotlight: Nina Wallenberg

Nina has been a cello teacher at MIC since 1987. She is also a member of the Musikgarten faculty.

  • What led you to become a Suzuki instructor?

I was originally a traditional cello teacher in Israel and had not had exposure to Suzuki pedagogy. We were living in Utah and I attended a workshop given by Carol Tarr in Salt Lake City. I was fascinated by this approach that was so different from what I was used to, especially the emphasis on aural and step by step learning. I subsequently began my formal Suzuki teacher training.

  • Which of your teachers inspired you the most? What aspects of their teaching have you integrated into your own style?

My most inspiring teacher was Shmuel Magen at the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem. He was both demanding and supportive and tailored his teaching to the needs of the individual student. He was very influenced by Alexander technique and emphasized the correct use of the body in playing.

  • What are your favorite Suzuki pieces to teach?

I have many favorite Suzuki pieces, but the pieces that I most enjoy teaching are my students' favorites such as Allegro, Scherzo and the Breval Sonata. And of course, the Bach Suites! I love the Suzuki concept of teaching technique through music in such a sequential and organized manner.

  • You spent some time as principal cellist of the OrquestaSinfonica del Valle in Colombia. What was your most memorable experience with that ensemble?

We did a regional tour of southwestern Colombia and performed in small towns where people didn't ordinarily have access to classical music.

  • You have been involved with international folk dancing for many years. What sparked your interest in learning to dance?

I had previously studied dance, and then in high school I began attending an international folk dance group at New York University. I've folk danced ever since in a variety of places. Fortunately, Chicago has a very active folk dance scene and my husband and I dance twice a week

It's time for the 100-Day Practice Challenge

  • The goal of the 100-Day Practice Challenge is to practice every day for 100 days in a row without missing a day. Here are the rules:
  • When:You must begin the challenge on or between January 14-27.
  • Lame Days:Each participant is allowed one and only one “lame day” per week. Does a “lame day” mean you don’t have to practice? NO!A “lame day” might be a very busy day when you have little time. So, instead of a full practice, just take out your instrument and perform two review pieces with maximum focus and heart. This counts as a “lame day” practice.
  • Celebration!All students who complete the 100-Day Challenge are invited to

attend the 100-Day Celebration Picnic in June (date TBA).

  • The PARENT Challenge:Join us!Challenge yourself to do something every day for 100 Days in a row without missing a day.Possible examples include sit ups, meditation, cleaning a high-traffic spot in your home--you pick!

Want to chart your progress?Record a ten-second video every day and share your progress at Giveit100.com.Website founder, Karen X. Cheng, is a former Suzuki cello student

Make your practice sessions more enjoyable with a Home Practice Consultation

Need help making your practice sessions effective and enjoyable?Then sign up for aHome Practice Consultation! Sarah Montzka, Suzuki teacher/associate director of MIC's Suzuki Program, will observe a video of a 15-minute home practice with your child. You will receive constructive feedback and strategies to make future practices more productive and pleasant. For more information, please contact Sarah Montzka at 847.905.1500, ext.

2014 SuzukinspirationParent Events

Many of us begin topractice music with our children with great enthusiasm, only to find that it is a lot more challenging than we thought it would be!Join other MIC Suzuki parents and our visiting experts as we discuss strategies for joyful practicing, communication techniques and more!

For more information, and to RSVP, please go to:

  • January 25, 2014: Time to Practice withCarrie Reuning-Hummel, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (Winnetka campus)
  • January 26, 2014:Time to PracticewithCarrie Reuning-Hummel 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Room 9 (Evanston East campus)
  • February 8, 2014 Successful Suzuki Parenting with Bob and Rita Hauck 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.(Winnetka campus)
  • March 3, 2014: Suzuki Parent Book Club: The Talent Code 7:30-9:00 p.m. (Winnetka campus)

Registration is now open for the Mid-Winter Suzuki Workshops

  • Mid-Winter Suzuki Workshops are a great way to beat those winter blues and inspire your child to practice. Students will brush up on fundamentals and try out new ideas with internationally recognized teachers. Register now at The dates are as follows:
  • Suzuki Flute Workshop: January 25-26, 2014Early Registration Deadline:December 20, 2013. Location: Winnetka Campus, 300 Green Bay Road, Winnetka
  • Violapalooza! (Viola Workshop): February 16-17, 2014 Registration Deadline: January 11, 2014. Location: Lake Forest Campus, 40 East Old Mill Road, Lake Forest
  • Suzuki Cello Festival: February 21-23, 2014Early Registration Deadline: January 18, 2014. Location: Evanston East Campus, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston

MIC Suzuki student/teacher news, activities, and performances

  • Congratulations to violin teacher Reagan Brasch, who recently was awarded the Suzuki Association of the Americas Certificate of Achievement. The certificate recognizes Suzuki teachers who possess a commitment to life‐long learning, self‐improvement and excellence.
  • Congratulations to Natalya Harp (violin student of Vannia Philips), who was concertmistress for the Evanston Township High School String Orchestra's performances on October 30 and December 15.
  • Congratulations to Inhyeok Oh and Holden Mui (piano students of Kate Nir) who won gold medals at the CAMTA Sonata-Sonatina Festival on December 8 at Roosevelt University.
  • Congratulations to Zehavi Rodriguez (cello student of Gilda Barston) who has been selected to participate in the Suzuki Youth Orchestra of the Americas at the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) conference in Minneapolis in May.
  • Congratulations to Leevy Williams, who was selected to participate in the cello master class at the SAA conference in Minneapolis in May.Leevy will perform a cello concerto by Camille Saint-Saëns.
  • Jack and James Casey, aka "The Fiddlin' Casey Boys", (violin students of Sarah Montzka) were the opening act for the 4th Annual Holiday A Cappella Extravaganza at Andersonville's Hamburger Mary's restaurant on December 11, 2013.
  • Maeve Garrity, Ellie Kasche, Connor Quinto, and Marisa Thombre (violin students of Karin Addis) performed on the Lake Forest All-Campus recital on December 15, 2013.
  • Suzuki violin and cello groups toured the Chicago area playing holiday music in December. They performed at Claremont Nursing Center, Manor Care Center, and Homer's Restaurant
  • Suzuki Strings students of Karin Addis and Anita Kaimal presented a recital at the North Lawndale YMCA on December 21, 2013.

Front: (l to r) Donyale Barber, Tarik Reed, Kylie Roberts, Jayvon Brown, Kenneth Quiroz, Kattie Quiroz, Briana Williams

Back: (l to r) Theron Lacey, Ayana Parker, Zakiya Reed, Camille Jordan, Nahla Dickerson, Tamiyah Geary, Dajour Smith

  • Abbey Hansen's cello group class students enjoyed a pajama/game day on Saturday, December 21 at the Winnetka campus.

Top to bottom: Early Book 1 class,Pre-Twinkle class, Late Book 1 class

List of December Suzuki Sunday performers

  • Solo recital:
  • Cello: Jonah Gottlieb, Mia Wimbiscus, SanghuiWimbiscu
  • Piano: Diana Gottlieb, Isabel Ha, Danica Sun
  • Violin: George Kaup, Penelope LaFleur, Mia Moline, Joshua Tsai
  • Piano jamboree:Alex Acimovic, Audrey Chan, Margaret Duda Anderson, Zachary Gerber, Michael Hahn, EmreKivanc, Ethan Riddle, Roy Wang, Vivian Wang, Nina Wedge, Eric Zhou
  • Cello jamboree: Alejandra Abraham, Micah Chan, Jonah Gottlieb, Jan Nedvetsky, Avery Oppenheim, Mia Wimbiscus,SanghuiWimbiscus, Jonathan Wang, Julia Wineberg
  • Violin jamboree: DayaAllon, Naomi Allon, Emily Ceremeles, Miranda Espinoza, Michael Lemasters, Connor Quinto, Kayla Smolen, Margaret Sweeney, Rosemary Sweeney, Antonia Tapias, Andrew Yang, Quint Zander, Ellie Zascak

2014 Suzuki Events Calendar

  • Suzuki Workshops

Violin – January 25-26, 2014 (Evanston East)

Flute – January 25-26, 2014 (Winnetka)

Piano – February 8 -9, 2014 (Winnetka)

Violapalooza! – February 16-17, 2014 (Lake Forest)

Cello – February 21-23, 2014 ((Evanston East)

  • Suzuki Sundays – Thoresen Performance Center, Winnetka

March 9, 2014

April 27, 2014

  • Suzuki Graduation Concert (Nichols Concert Hall – Evanston East)

Sunday, April 13, 2013, 3-5 pm

  • Suzuki Festival Concerts (Nichols Concert Hall – Evanston East)

Saturday-Sunday, May 17-18, 2014