Suzuki School of Newton is a Community Table (6/13/2025)

I was listening to the radio and heard about a restaurant that only has community tables. That is, parties sit together even though they don't know each other.  It is a way to save space, and an opportune moment to meet someone new.  This can work, if one is in the mood to share one's meal and night out with some strangers. Or, one could just ignore them and continue one's own conversation with your own group. It is an interesting concept and reminds of the Suzuki group class.

One of the most inspiring and intuitive aspects of the Suzuki learning approach is group class. When one is starting out, it is typical not to know anyone else in the class. One is there to share the learning experience, and in some cases share parent insights. What I find useful is to alert parents to observe how different learning styles are exhibited by different students.  Everyone may be learning the same pieces, but where some students sail through and others may get stuck is often different from student to student.  Some students may find the first months of lessons very easy, but others may struggle through learning the basic set-up of posture and instrument. I like to think it is like climbing a very big hill, some may find a slow steady pace, some may find short cuts (which are often very steep) and others move quickly, then rest, then move quickly again. By sharing a group class with different types of learners one can see different situations and many will appear for each child as they go through their musical journey. In our Suzuki School we come together in a similar manner as sharing a "community table."

Just this morning, our Suzuki Preschool celebrated its graduation. It was a fine and proud moment to hear our students sing, play piano and violin in a very celebratory moment.  It is an achievement to see and hear our Preschool students as young musicians. Our Whole Notes students received their diplomas wearing their graduation caps and processing to "Pomp and Circumstance" performed by Ms. Lisa and Ms. Yuting. All the teachers worked well together in bringing a year's work to fruition in this moment. Following the graduation, the students and families shared a pizza picnic on our lawn---another example of a "community table!"

What we see are the strong relationships between our teachers and students in both the Preschool and Music School.  Long-lasting relationships are what we seek in our school as we nurture our students from Preschool age to high school seniors.  This Sunday Theo and Naomie, two high school seniors, will be performing a recital and receiving the "lifetime" group class awards. That is, for their entire time here at the Suzuki School, these two student have attended group class.  It is through this participation that one develops friendships and peer relationships, improves musical ability, and shares in the ups and downs of their lives from the worries of kindergartners to the stress of college applications.  These relationships with teachers and fellow students is what creates our "community table" here. 

It is a celebratory time of year, but also one where we enjoy more time to rest, relax and enjoy the better weather and longer days with sunlight. Renewing our energy comes from rest but also by strengthening our relationships with others and taking the time to be together. Our teachers know that and so our concerts and outreach performances are not just for the performing and practicing the music, but also for us to build upon the community that we are and to improve our connections to each other.  In the end, these connections are what will be remembered for a very long time. The "community table" atmosphere of the Suzuki School of Newton is the source of positive mental health and support during a time when it is needed most.