Final day in Japan

The last day of the convention dawns. Another wonderful breakfast with my favorite view of the mountains. I have felt so at peace here for these past days; walking the familiar streets, reuniting with so many friends, teaching these incredible little ones and their parents, making new friends. Such mixed emotions once again to be leaving Matsumoto and wondering when I will return…

This morning early, there was a special mass at the Catholic Church. Easter, plus memorial mass to remember Suzuki-sensei and Mineo Nakajima. It was a beautiful service, ending with orchestra and choir and congregation joining together in the Hallelujah Chorus.

Class was fun. It is wonderful to witness the progress of these tiny ones in just a few short days! Their concentration, confidence, and competence is astounding! Each one played a little duet with me to end the lesson.

Quick lunch, onto final concert preparation and closing ceremony. There is simply no comparison to witnessing the incredible organization of a mass Suzuki concert in Japan. The thousands of students are organized by level in various places, with teachers assigned to each group. Beginning with smaller, advanced groups, levels of students are added until all are finally playing together in the final Twinkle Variations. This concert even had Suzuki voice at the end!

Then the final goodbyes, pictures taken, hugs all around. Until we meet again…

Rhonda Shimano-sensei and her children after the final concert… Her planning, careful organization, and execution were fantastic. Doesn’t she look HAPPY now that it’s over?? Her son was a tremendous asset! Thanks to you both on behalf of all the gaijin!

Goodbye to a small student at the train station…

Goodbye first Matsumoto friend, Michiru. Till we meet again…

Sayonara, Suzuki-sensei.

Another tonkatsu dinner!

Since another group of friends had yet to visit Katsugen, my favorite tonkatsu restaurant, another trip was in order. So, on our last evening in Matsumoto together, teacher friends from Connecticut, Iowa, and Hong Kong gathered to share food and fun! The Hong Kong group gave a wonderful performance with traditional dress and music that afternoon.

The Suzuki Method Alumni Association hosted a cocktail hour at the Buena Vista Hotel that evening, giving me a chance to spend time with Tsuneo Kobayashi-sensei, and meet Yasumitsu Sato (former Suzuki Method student, current professional “shogi” professional – form of Japanese chess.)
Also met new teachers from newly-formed SuzukiHub in London, visited with other friends.

Later, relaxing on the top floor with my favorite nighttime view of Matsumoto.so happy to be here, sorry to be leaving…

Teaching day three

The third day, and I saw Tomikawa-sensei teach haiku (short Japanese poems, subjects nature / animals). The children were engaged, and quick to imitate and memorize the poems!

Laughter with friends

Again I was blessed to spend time with dear friends from my earliest days in Japan. Akemi was my English student at that time, fun-loving and quick to laugh! And all these years later, here we are (with her husband) still laughing!!

Time with Sensei

Feeling the strong desire to connect with my beloved teacher and mentor, I went up high in the hills above Matsumoto city to the cemetery where Dr. and Mrs. Suzuki share a beautiful, peaceful resting place. Memories of each of their funeral services flooded through my heart as I stood before the headstone. The view of the valley is breathtaking, and the air was cold with a hint of fog. A quiet joy began to warm me from within, and I could feel Sensei’s presence; his encouragement and delight; see the sparkling eyes and ready smile.

It was a special gift to share this time and place with dear friends Elly Schmidt, Marguerite Jayasimha, and my former kenkyusei best friend, Ryo Shimizu, now a teacher in Okinawa.

New cello teacher friend, Reuben, of Leon, France. Relaxing time in the evening after a day of teaching, concerts, etc…

Spaghetti Casa

Connections with friends old and new…
This week in Matsumoto will live in my heart for so many special reasons; revisiting times past, and missing Suzuki-sensei and Mrs. Suzuki acutely at times, sharing Matsumoto with my students (both children and young teachers I’ve had in training), meeting new children, parents, and teachers from around the world, and reuniting with nearly every friend and fellow kenkyusei from my two years of living here…

Food being one of my all-time priorities, I was anxious to visit all the special restaurants I love and greet the wonderful friends who run them. Casa is a place owned by friends, coincidentally named “Matsumoto”, and I went there with classmate Shimizu-kin, and friends Elly & Marguerite from San Diego. They all had TWO plates of pasta each, much to the chef’s delight! I had my favorite Ebi/kimono (shrimp with Japanese mushrooms), YUM!

Teaching Day Two

So on Day one of my morning group lesson, my two Japanese co-teachers made it clear that I was to be “chief,” and that they would be my “assistants!”

I taught first, one followed, the third teacher politely declined her turn, and the class was returned to me! It was definitely not how I thought it would go… Still, I did get to watch Ogawa-sensei teach, and learned lots of ways of working with these tiny ones. Tomikawa-sensei promised to teach the following day. The children are so pure, sincere, eager and willing to learn. I am loving this experience completely! The parents enjoying the classes as much as their children!

First PreTwinkle lesson: Nervous? No! : )

So since I didn’t sleep much for trying to imagine a 2 hour group lesson of children who played just Twinkle Variation A, I was much too tired to publish and post ANYTHING yesterday.  Of course it was also the day that Alegre performed on the afternoon concert, so there was additional excitement and celebration.  At the afternoon large group lesson just before our concert, Nick Kendall (of Time For Three) came over to wish the kids luck!  He was one of the teachers at large group yesterday, and the kids loved him.  He also invited them to a special sound-check preview rehearsal, but it didn’t work out : (

The concert went splendidly, and so many friends and colleagues took time from their busy day to attend!  So many kind words of congratulations, and such kindness of spirit expressed by the most amazing teachers of the Suzuki world.  The depth of understanding shown by my friends of many nations, though these students are older and less advanced than many here, shows how Suzuki-sensei’s dream becomes reality.  I am so appreciative of the sincerity and generosity of my friends and colleagues, old and new.

The lesson was miraculous.  Not one tear shed (by a student OR me!!), and participation by each of the 10 tiny children from 9:20 a.m. until 11:00, with just a short break in the middle for toilet and drink of water!  All Japanese children, with the exception of an adorable little blond-haired, blue-eyed little boy from Yokohama who attends Japanese public school.  So I was forced into remembering quickly some form of Japanese in order to communicate!!  my Japanese teaching partners are definitely NOT bi-lingual, but are wonderful teachers.  It is so much fun to be able to watch and learn from them…

Enjoy!

Yokohama Avery and mom

Morning repertoire class, March 29, 2013