Thank you for your interest in graduate study at Ithaca College (IC). I am the coordinator of the Suzuki Pedagogy degree program, and I welcome this opportunity to tell you about the IC program, Ithaca Talent Education (ITE) – the Suzuki school which partners in the program - and Ithaca as a community.
The Suzuki Seminar and Practicum classes are the two courses that primarily define the Suzuki Pedagogy degree. During the first semester, Seminar I covers Suzuki philosophy, parent training, all the basic steps involved in setting up a beginning student, and principal teaching points through Suzuki Book One. The second semester (Seminar II) covers Books Two and Three, the changing practice partnership between parent and child, note reading, shifting, and beginning vibrato.
Depending on the makeup of the class, the graduate students may have a student to teach during the second semester, under my supervision. Throughout the program, observations are required through ITE. This fulfills the requirements for registering each unit of study with the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA).
During the summer between years one and two of the program, graduate students are required to attend the Ithaca Suzuki Institute, which is held on the IC campus during the first two weeks of July. Typically the graduate student takes Unit Four (book four) and one other agreed upon unit.
Practicum I and II meet during the second year of the degree program. In addition to the study of the remaining units (through unit eight, sometimes ten) and study of supplemental materials, emphasis is focused more specifically on teaching skills. Graduate students are observed while teaching, and work on honing overall teaching skills in both individual and group class settings. This practicum experience is also registered with the SAA.
Information on the remainder of the course requirements can be found in the online graduate catalogue. Typically, one full recital is given on the major instrument under the supervision of the major teacher. An additional lecture recital is presentedwith an emphasis on Suzuki pedagogy.
At this time violists may pursue the Suzuki Pedagogy degree as a violinist if they are proficient performing the Suzuki violin repertoire through the Bach a minor Concerto, 1st movement. A recording of this piece must be submitted to the SAA for acceptance at some point during the program. The violin and viola units are reciprocal through Unit Three.
It is possible that at some point soon I will also become a Suzuki Viola Teacher Trainer (I am a violist and have taught all levels of viola for many years). The hope is that Practicum I and II in the second year of the degree will have a separate track for viola, but there is no time frame in place for this at this time.
Ithaca Talent Education was one of the first schools in the U.S. to begin instruction in the Suzuki Method. We have an outstanding, experienced faculty teaching violin, viola, cello, and string orchestras at three levels. Group classes and orchestra rehearsals happen on Saturdays at IC. ITE(where the private lessons occur) is located adjacent to the IC campus and has an enrollment of about 175 students.
Ithaca is a wonderful community in which to live and learn. Its natural beauty includes Cayuga Lake (one of the Finger Lakes of upstate New York), numerous hiking trails, and five state parks within easy driving distance that have stunning waterfalls and gorges. Cornell University offers many chances for further study and events as well.
I would love to have the opportunity to meet with you if you are auditioning at Ithaca College. Email is probably the best way to reach me, but feel free to call as well. If you are ever in town midweek, you are welcome to visit the Seminar class on Wednesday, between 10:00 a.m. – 1:00p.m, and I can also arrange for you to observe at ITE.
Warmly,
Carrie
Carrie Reuning-Hummel
Suzuki specialist and Teacher Trainer, lecturer at Ithaca College
607-272-3350