Several years ago, Suzuki violin instructor Jane Soyka embarked on a project with her students which has proven to inspire and motivate them as musicians, as well as offer them the opportunity to create music from scratch, following some basic rules and fundamentals of music theory. Through the process of writing their own music, her students have benefited not only by their exposure to theory, ear-training and violin technique, but she has also given them enthusiasm and a new love for practicing their instruments. Jane shares her experiences with string teachers, and offers them ideas on how this process can be adapted in the private studio and in the classroom.
About the Author: Jane Soyka has been teaching strings in Albuquerque since 1985. She received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree "with distinction" from the University of New Mexico and studied violin there with Leonard Felberg. She has received extensive Suzuki training from Teacher-Trainers Susan Kempter, Lorraine Fink, Ted Brunson, Alice Joy Lewis, Louise Scott and Marilyn O'Boyle. A long-standing member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, she specializes in teaching young children utilizing the Suzuki Method(R), having registered extensive long-term and unit training with the S.A.A. in the Suzuki violin volumes, supplemental literature and enrichment courses. Jane co-directed the New Mexico Suzuki Institute and Advanced String Camp, an S.A.A. sponsored summer retreat for string students studying via the Suzuki Method(R). Additionally, over the years she has been director of the New Mexico Suzuki Workshop and the Rio Grande Suzuki Workshop, both of which were open venues for Albuquerque-area Suzuki students and their teachers to come together for weekly group lessons, performances and play-ins. Jane's expertise in composing and arranging music with young violin students has brought her to Brisbane, Australia as well as Auckland, New Zealand as a clinician in Suzuki programs there. In 2009, S.A.A.'s flagship publication, the American Suzuki Journal published an article written by Jane entitled, My Students' Melodies: Inspiring My Students Through Composition." Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jane maintains a full-time private studio. Those who study with her receive weekly private instruction, group ensemble classes and many opportunities for solo recital participation and group public performances. In addition, each year students have the opportunity to create and perform their original compositions.