Summary of TEC Programs

	Kindermusik
	PreTwinklers
	Older Beginners
	Advanced  and Transfer Students
	Violin for Parents and Adults
	Group Lessons, Twinkle Club, Fiddle Club, and Musical Angels
	Membership in a Suzuki Community

Kindermusik at TEC

As a  licenced Kindermusik teacher, Ms Cynthia used these music education materials in her studio when she first started.    She is so impressed with the Kindermusik Curriculum that she has tried adapting it to use with the TEEN PARENTING classes which she has taught for at risk youth in the Santa Ana community.  

Currently she does not have time to teach  the official Kindermusik curriculm.   She has donated her materials to the OCCTAC Community.   But she continues to use materials from it in her PreTwinkle Classes.

Ms. Cynthia does not start PreTwinklers before the age of 3.  Parents should be wary of any teacher who offers an instrumental program for children before age 3.   Before 3 years of age children are still learning to control their balance and how to stop or start a motor activity.   This is because the Cerebellum is still developing in the lower region of the brain.   This is the part of the  brain which helps children acquire coordination and inhibitory control.  A child is ready when they begin developing the ability to start and stop large motor activities, and succeed at toilet training.  Close to age 3, may be the first time when a child has the ability to name his fingers and move them independently, stand still in one place for more than 5-10 seconds at a time and carry on simple conversations with adults.    How ever before age 3, the ears are becoming real experts.   This is the perfect time to develop a sensitive ear and a wonderful memory.                                      top

What if my child is not 3 yet?                                                                                           

Even if children are not yet 3 there is so much that they can be doing.   Ms. Cynthia encourages parents to start playing music for their child as early as the 4^th month of pregnancy.   Please ask her for hand-outs on playing classical music for babies.    Even though your child is not ready for PreTwinkle Classes there is no reason why you could not start the process by taking violin lessons yourself.   Ms. Cynthia offers private and small group lessons for Parents and Adults.  

PreTwinklers   (The focus of Got2Twinkle.com)                                        top

TEC is one of the few programs in Orange County where parents can observe several different PreTwinkle classes at different stages of development at any given time of the year.    Ms. Cynthia is one of the few teachers in California who spent 3 years with Dr. Suzuki so that she could develop such a laboratory for PreTwinkle Curriculum.   The Goal of the PreTwinkle program is to make learning the violin accessible to every child.

Older Beginners                                                     top

 They're Rarely to Young and Never Too Old "To Twinkle!"  is the 1st book every TEC parent is asked to read.   Children 5 and up still have the opportunity to learn very easily using the Suzuki Method.   The the basic skills that Ms. Cynthia teaches to  younger learners will be collapsed into larger steps as the child matures.   All children will need to listen to the Suzuki CDs and develop good listening skills.   Start Listening and attending Group Lessons regularly is critical to the success of the Older Beginner.  

Advanced Students and Transfer Students                   top

Three years of study in Japan has given Cynthia Sensei the rare opportunity to study "The Production of Tone"  with Dr. Suzuki.   Natural musical motion for tone production frees a young violinist to progress rapidly.   We have had a number of students at TEC who have played up to Book VI.  Ms. Cynthia was trained in Japan under Dr. Suzuki to teach Suzuki Students up to books X.   She has teacher training with SAA up to books VI.

All transfer students are expected to become familiar with and memorize the Suzuki Repertory and participate in Group Lessons.  Students from other methods can improve their musical skills a great deal by using the Suzuki Method.   The best site readers in the studio are also some of the most effective listeners.   See Start Listening  before you go to Get Ready.

All new students are encouraged to participate in the Fiddle Club

Violin for Parents and Adults                top

Please ask Ms. Cynthia about the classes she offers for Adult learners.   Adults may have the experience of starting from the beginning with the Suzuki CDs in a way that is very similar to the method she uses with older beginners.   You will not need the instrument for the first classes, so please wait until she has had time to provide instruction on choosing a violin.   Parents will receive additional instruction during their lessons on the PreTwinkle Method that Ms. Cynthia has developed in her studio.   Adult students may also enjoy supplementing their Suzuki instruction with 'The American Fiddle Book.   Everyone is welcome to participate in the TEC Fiddle Club.

Group Lesson Activities                      top

All students are expected to participate in a Group lesson Activity while studying in the Studio.    The Twinkle Club is for young students just starting to play on their violins just after graduating from PreTwinkle Activities.   Book I students and up meet on Saturday afternoons for an hour to work on ensemble skills and technique.   All students at TEC are invited to participate in the Fiddle Club.   We are currently using the book and CD from The American Fiddle Method.    More advanced students meet to play ensembles, including duets, trios and tangos,   This music is sometimes  used for community service activities.

Membership in the TEC Suzuki Community

Why should you become a member of the Suzuki Community at TEC.   1, Ms. Cynthia charges students much more for instruction by the hour.    2, you get the support of fellow students and their families as well as  the opportunity to participate in all of the activities in the studio in addition to your private lesson.  3, you make lots of musical friends!!!    Ms. Cynthia does not wish to nickel and dime students for every activity and service you get to indulge in.  

In a successful Suzuki Program, it is the students of parents who volunteer and organize cultural activities in the studio and community, who seem to keep them selves the most motivated.   Ms. Cynthia finds it much more enjoyable to teach in a studio where the students enjoy doing music together and sharing it with others.

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