The Wildflower Suzuki Studio in Wimberley is now offering music training to babies and toddlers aged three months and up. The classes are based on the teachings and philosophies of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, known worldwide as the originator of the Suzuki Method.
The Japanese violinist, who died in 1998, developed a music curriculum and philosophy for children that creates the environment for absorbing music that parallels that of acquiring a native language. Not only does the method teach children about music, it builds a child’s character, producing what he calls, “noble human beings.” There are only a handful of these instructors in the U.S.
The Suzuki Early Childhood Education, a component of the Suzuki Method for very young children, develops musical and character skills by showing them how to listen, observe and imitate, memorize, concentrate, perform, develop discipline and perseverance, and to foster what Suzuki called “abilities of the heart.”
Different from traditional methods in which learning to read music is taught at the same time as learning to play an instrument, the Suzuki method involves the parents and teaches children how to absorb and imitate the language of music, while incrementally building the skills of handling and playing instruments. Suzuki believed that musical ability wasn’t an inborn gift, but an ability that could be developed. Many musical prodigies throughout the world are the result of the Suzuki training.
Teaching Wildflower’s baby and toddler classes is Ian Lee who recently joined the private studio as a Suzuki instructor. Lee is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, band leader and music teacher based out of Wimberley.
“The ages from birth to 3 years is such a fruitful time in the development of a child’s brain,” said Lee in a recent visit to the studio. “Babies have the most brain connections they will ever have at this age so that is why these baby classes are so rewarding. Not only will the children learn the language of music, parents will gain insights into their children that they might not have the opportunity to witness otherwise.”
Lee is teaching with equipment he purchased from retiring Houston SECE instructor Andrea Cannon who taught the very first SECE class in the U.S.
Wildflower is owned by the accomplished musician, author, Suzuki instructor and podcaster, Paula Bird. Ian Lee was one of her students. Bird is or has been a member of numerous professional symphony orchestras in Pennsylvania and Texas and earned a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law, a Masters in Music from Texas State University and is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her accomplishments, training, and musical collaborations are extensive.
Wildflower has been teaching students for 20 years. It offers a diverse array of musical programs with the Suzuki method as the foundation. This year it was able to expand its space and increase its curriculum to include the SECE baby classes. Currently there are 78 enrolled students with room to welcome more.. Class times for Wildflower babies are Wednesday at 11 a.m. or Saturday at 1 p.m. For more information about the baby classes email ianleemusic8@ gmail. com.
