Lifetime learner

Karin received Suzuki piano training under the instruction of Susan Fralin (Lynchburg, VA) for 8 years, including 5 years of superior rankings in National Guild Auditions. She has played for pleasure since, serving at church and playing in weddings. Her teaching began with her own children and grew from teaching friends’ children to teaching lessons at Valley Music Academy from August 2017-February 2020. She now offers lessons from her Suzuki studio in her home in Lyndhurst, VA as well as in-home lessons in students homes in the Charlottesville and Waynesboro area. *Due to COVID-19, masks must be worn during lessons and safety precautions will be taken.

SAA Member

Karin has completed “Every Child Can” as well as Piano Unit 1-3 classes via Suzuki Association of the Americas and plans to continue her education annually. You can visit her SAA profile here.

A passion for children

In addition to 7+ years of experience teaching piano, Karin also has  5+ years experience providing behavioral and academic support to children/adolescents with various mental health diagnoses in a school setting. Her clients included children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety/depression, PTSD, among others. She also has two children of her own, ages 13 and 16.

Mother-Tongue Approach

Lessons are based on the concept of teaching music as one would teach language. Babies are first introduced to language by hearing parents speak. They then begin to babble and eventually to speak themselves. We later send them to school to learn written language, after they can speak fluently. Similarly, the Suzuki Method teaches children how to play first after hearing what the music should sound like, and teaching them to read music later.

Learn about how the mother-tongue approach begins early here.

Learn the importance of listening to the music we are about to learn to play here.

Learn why Suzuki students do not learn to read music right away here.

Parental Involvement

As when a child learns to talk, parents are involved in the musical learning of their child. They attend lessons with the child and serve as “home teachers” during the week. Some parents opt to learn to play before the child begins lessons, so that s/he understands what the child is expected to do. Karin will often help parents learn what a student is learning during a lesson so that they can practice it correctly at home. Minimally, the parent should be able to explain back to Karin what is expected to be practiced at home.

Learn how vital encouragement is here.

Learn why practice does not make perfect here.

Repertoire

Suzuki has a set repertoire of seven books. The songs are a means to an end, tools to teach skills. Each song is tailored to teach specific skills. Therefore, progress is not judged by the number of songs the student can play, but by the quality of their playing. A high focus on technique and tone is applied from the very beginning so that the students can carry their sense of musicality with them as they go.

Learn about performing here.

Learn why repetition is essential here.