The Music Village offers flute lessons to students from age 4 to adult.
The program of study consists of weekly individual lessons and group lessons, and at least one recital per year.

The Suzuki Method and Philosophy

Everyone has a sprout of talent . . .

"If a child speaks his language fluently, he has developmental possibilities. Other abilities should therefore develop according to the way he is raised. Everyone has a sprout of talent. Developing that sprout into a wonderful ability depends on how it is cultivated." -Shinichi Suzuki

In other words, all people have musical ability! How it develops depends on how the person is educated.

The Mother Tongue Principle . . .

The Suzuki Method is based on the Mother Tongue Principle-learning music as we do our native language-through listening, imitation, repetition, and encouragement.

Listening . . .

Daily listening to recordings of the Suzuki repertoire and to recordings of other quality music is a major reason for the success of the Suzuki Method. The CD's serve as models for tone and expression as well as for the correct notes. The more your child hears the pieces, the more quickly and easily he or she will master them. Listening also serves to motivate practice, since children enjoy playing familiar music.

Practice only on the days you eat . . .

"And which days do you eat?" asks the teacher. "Everyday!" answers the wide-eyed student in amazement. Daily, constructive repetition of lesson material is of vital importance to the mastery of the instrument, and therefore to the child's feelings of accomplishment and success.

Learning to read music . . .

How people would laugh at us if we insisted that a child learn to read before learning to speak! Or worse yet, to learn to read and speak simultaneously! In the Suzuki Method, note reading is introduced separately from their Suzuki pieces and is integrated later, when the child is somewhat accomplished on the instrument. This approach produces a musician who plays music expressively and with a beautiful tone.

Positive Approach . . .

Encouragement fosters growth and self-confidence. It would be unheard of to get angry with a young child or reprimand them for not being able to speak their mother tongue fluently. We are so pleased with every attempt a child makes when learning to speak. This encouragement enables the child to easily and confidently develop their language abilities. This same positive learning environment is equally effective and essential for learning music!

Parents as Teachers . . .

An important reason for the success of the Suzuki Method is the involvement of parents in lessons and during practice time at home-the parent acts as the child's home teacher and becomes a vital link in the Parent -Teacher -Student Triangle.

Individual & Group Lessons

Each week students receive an individual lesson and a group lesson. They will also have opportunities to observe other students' lessons. Playing together in groups gives students the opportunity to be motivated by the accomplishments of others. They also become more aware of their own potential. Suzuki students learn to be very encouraging and supportive of each other. "Cooperation, not competition" is a Suzuki motto!

Workshops and Institutes . . .

Suzuki students have the unique opportunity to attend nearby weekend workshops during the school year and week-long institutes in the summer. Course offerings include master-classes, repertoire and theory classes with a variety of teachers. Institutes are frequently attended by Suzuki students from various countries, and serve as wonderful sources of inspiration and motivation, as well as a vehicle for life-long friendships and appreciation of different cultures.

"The Suzuki approach deals with much more than teaching a child how to play an instrument. It seeks to develop the whole child, to help unfold his natural potential to learn and become a good and happy person. The purpose of Suzuki training is not to produce great artists, but to help every child to find the joy that comes through music-making. Through the Suzuki growing process, children thrive in a total environment of support; they develop confidence and self-esteem, determination to try difficult things, self-discipline and concentration, as well as a lasting enjoyment of music, and the sensitivity and skill for making music." -Libby Dixon & Molly Johnson . . . from The Suzuki Approach

Flute Instructor

Lori Richards, director of The Music Village, earned her Master of Arts in flute performance from Western Carolina University and her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Alabama. She has over thirty years of experience as a private flute instructor and has been registered with the Suzuki Association of the Americas since 1987.

An early childhood music specialist, she is a licensed Kindermusik educator and a certified Orff-Schulwerk instructor. Formerly co-principal of the Lynchburg Symphony and flute instructor at Lynchburg College in Virginia, Ms. Richards was a founding member of the Atlanta-based chamber groups Woodsong, Chrysalis and Cirrus. She currently performs with the chamber group

Silverwood and teaches Suzuki flute and Kindermusik

at The Music Village in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

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The Music Village, 26 Aztec Drive, Suite B, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Telephone 828-293-5600  ~  E-mail info@themusicvillage-nc.com