INSPIRING TEACHERS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
A Conversation with KRISTINA TURNER REVEALS HOW A GREAT TEACHER CAN IMPACT A STUDENT’S SUCCESS
Photo Courtesy: Laird Photography
“Believing deeply in the Suzuki philosophy that every child can learn with the right support, I’m dedicated to helping each student succeed. I enjoy connecting with students and parents, relishing the challenge of finding the most impactful teaching point in every lesson. Collaborating with fellow teachers to continuously improve my skills is also a vital and energizing part of my work.”
Kristina Turner is a registered Suzuki violin and viola teacher and a Suzuki mom, committed to fostering a supportive and enriching musical journey for young learners through her extensive training and experience in the Suzuki method.
In Conversation with Kristina Turner
Step inside the vibrant world of early string education as we sit down with Kristina Turner, a seasoned Suzuki violin and viola teacher. Discover practical wisdom for joyful first experiences and building strong musical foundations. We hope that you will find inspiration from Kris in your search for a teacher for your child.
Making the First Connection Positive and Fun
Creating a comfortable learning environment is crucial, adapting to each student's individual needs. For anxious students, humor and a relaxed approach can ease their fears. Engaging activities, such as making a "bunny" with the bow, can transform lessons into enjoyable experiences. A calm environment is essential for learning.
Setting up a Conducive Learning Environment (at Home and in Lessons)
The learning environment should be comfortable and free from distractions. This includes the practice environment and ensuring the instrument is well-suited for the child.
Developing a Good Ear and Intonation from the Start
Crucial foundational skills: Establishing beautiful tone and intonation from the beginning is key. This relies on proper instrument balance.
Teaching approach: Start by ensuring the student can hold the instrument and bow correctly. Break down complex tasks into small, manageable steps. With little kids, use cardboard instruments initially to focus on balance without the distraction of sound.
Guiding Parents on How to Support Their Child's Learning
Parents play a vital role in supporting their child's musical journey. Teachers should provide (parents should ask) clear guidance on how they can effectively assist with practice at home.
Why a Good First Instrument Matters
The quality of the first instrument significantly impacts a child's experience. An instrument that produces a pleasant sound encourages practice and fosters appreciation for music. Conversely, a poorly made instrument can lead to frustration and hinder progress.
Engaging Young Learners
Making practice fun and motivating at home: Use games to make practice enjoyable. Involve parents in the practice process.
Addressing frustration and setbacks constructively: Be mindful of attention spans and avoid overwhelming students. Keep instructions clear and concise, with a defined beginning and end to each task.
Overcoming initial difficulties with technique: Address challenges like loosing focus or feeling overwhelmed by breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable segments.
lay how I wanted to. It met my expectations and needs especially as I grew into a more advanced musician. So yeah, it definitely continued to meet my needs and still does—it’s really excelling with me.
For young violinists looking for the right instrument, my advice is to find a instrument that you can truly connect with, like I did with V. Richelieu. This connection allows you to become more comfortable, which in turn makes it easier to play and express yourself. I also love that V. Richelieu is integrating sustainability into their instruments. It's great to see a company that not only makes beautiful instruments but also cares about the environment.
Helping young violinists means making learning clear and fun, keeping them interested with games and involving parents. Kids can focus more than we think, and they learn through play, having their own strong ideas. Good teachers are both playful and thoughtful, expecting a lot but celebrating small wins. Teaching music helps kids learn and connect in many ways, not just with the instrument.
Connection is everything...
V. RICHELIEU VIOLA
We design and build violas for the next generation of violists.
We start at the beginning. We place small fractional violas designed and built in our Vermont workshop into small hands to play viola music as it was composed to play. We do not compromise, and neither should you.
Don’t play a converted violin. Play a real viola. Play a V. RICHELIEU™ small viola. Each V. RICHELIEU™ viola is uniquely crafted to make each piece of wood sing in full voice. The instruments are built in Vermont to combine over 80 years of experience with unique hand graduations and a beautiful hand-painted oil varnish of our own proprietary formulation.
Available as small as 11” to 16”. Real Violas for Aspiring Soloists!