Welcome!

Music is what feelings sound like.

~ Author Unknown

The sounds of Music exists in every space of everyday.  Think about it, how often in the course of your day can you not hear Music? 

The Suzuki Method is the most effective way of learning to play the Violin or Viola.  One learns by ear and can start as young as the age of 2 years old.  The method is most ideal for Adults who always wanted to learn but thought they may have missed their chance.  The Suzuki Method is comprised of some of the following principals -

 Listening
Students listen to the recording of the pieces they will play before they learn to play them. Suzuki felt that, just as in conventional schooling, books are introduced to children only after they have been speaking the language for several years, so written music should only be introduced to the music student once they have been playing for sufficient time. This develops a sophisticated ear for pitch and tone which enables a child to play with greater sensitivity.

 Complete Mastery
Students of the Suzuki Method stay learning a piece long after they have mastered the notes. They are taught to play from memory which is seen as the starting point for work on proper technique and musicality. They are encouraged to review old pieces where, unencumbered by having to learn new notes, they can work on new technical skills or merely reinforce and sharpen the skills they have already acquired.

 Common Repertoire
All Suzuki Students learn and follow the same sequence of material. Each instrument has its own repertoire which has been designed to take a child from the very simplest piece (in the Suzuki Method this will be variations on ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’) to the Grade 8 level and beyond.

 Parental Involvement
Parents have an active role in the Suzuki Method. Rather than being seen as a liability and kept out of lessons, parents are expected to attend lessons, to take notes and to practise with their children, most fully in the early years. It is not necessary for a parent to be able to play the instrument themselves. The teacher will show them all they need to know in order to help their child. Indeed, many parents have been so inspired helping their children, they have taken up music study themselves.

 Practice
Children learn to speak their language competently because they speak it every day. So music should be practised every day. Of course, this kind of commitment is difficult to make and Suzuki understood this. He therefore said:

“Only practise on the days you eat.”

Erika Zeckser Owen has earned both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Performance.  Having started via the Suzuki method herself at the age of 8 years old.  She later became an active member of the Hawaii Youth Symphony, San Diego Youth Symphony, Civic Youth Orchestra in San Diego, San Diego University Orchestra while still a Senior in High School. 

Deciding to continue the pursuit Music at the University level, Erika was the Principal Violist of Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, NNSO String Quartet  and Indiana University Philharmonic and Concert Orchestras.  After receiving completing her Degrees in 2001, Erika has played for numerous Orchestras and Symphonies throughout the USA, Mexico, Canada, and Europe.

Currenly, Erika resides in Awsworth where she is a Freelance Musician - Carl Rosa Opera Company Tour, RTE Concert Orchestra Dublin and playing for local groups such as Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Restoration, and other local quartets. 

"The most fascinating challenge for me is finding a style of teaching that is individual for each student and the way they learn.  My goal is to make Music fun  by singing, dancing, clapping or even creating stories out of the musical pieces, bringing it all to life for the student."       

                                                        ~Erika Zeckser Owen

 Please click on Registration in the menu to apply for Beginning and Intermediate level lessons. 

1/2 hour lesson:  £15.00

1 hour lesson:   £25.00

(Prices may be negoitiated based on individual need)

For more information on the Suzuki Method, buying an instrument, etc.  Please feel free to click on Resources for more helpful links.