“Emily Mather is an outstanding teacher. My children fell in love with music during her lessons. She easily takes an enormous concept and teaches it in smaller parts that are very easy for my children to comprehend. Ms. Emily captivates them with her teaching techniques. She is definitely one of the best Suzuki teachers we have ever encountered in our music travels.”
The Suzuki Method, also known as "The Mother Tongue Method" was created by Shinichi Suzuki in Japan. Suzuki understood that we learn to speak not by reading, but by listening to our parents speak to us every day until we begin to speak ourselves. Through this, he realized that children can also learn to play the violin the same way; through listening, a positive environment, and proper instruction. The Suzuki Method is all about teaching to the heart of the child, and providing a 'can't fail environment' to build self confidence and positive thinking. At WSSTE, our motto is "Twinkle to Tchaikovsky", meaning we will start them with Twinkle, and take them all the way to learning the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (one of the most difficult concerti in the Violin Repertoire), learning proper technique and musicality so that they have the option to pursue music at the highest conservatory level if they wish.
Playing the violin is not always about turning your child into a famous virtuosi, or to have a profession in the music industry. Its about:
-Self Discipline
-Focus
-Attention to detail
-Fine and Broad Motor Function
-Connection with Parent
-Involvement with the Community
-Concentration
-Self Awareness
-Self Confidence
-Problem Solving
-Caretaking
-Respect
-Artistry
-Aesthetics
-Teamwork
-Building of Excellence
Emily Mather has been teaching violin since the age of 15 when she started helping students younger than her for practice sessions. She has maintained her own studio since 2010, and has taught both Suzuki and Traditional Private Lessons, Suzuki Group Classes, Suzuki Theory, Middle School Orchestra Classes, all levels of Orchestra Sectionals, Masterclasses, and Camps.
Emily Mather is Suzuki Registered on the SAA with Volumes 1-5 with Edward Kreitman, and Volumes 1-10 with Kimberly Meier-Sims. She also has done additional workshops such as Tone Development with Allen Lieb, Teacher Training Workshop with Helen Brunner, and Bow Development Seminar with Cathy Lee.
She is now on Faculty at the Western Springs School of Talent Education and the Naperville Suzuki School. She is currently accepting students ages 3-18.
Emily's teaching style is fun and bubbly, and leaves children motivated and excited. Her main goal is to boost self confidence in the children, while meeting an extremely high level of expectation for their playing and technical foundation. Emily is known for her ability to pinpoint problems in the student's playing, and easily fix them with her own creative methods and exercises.
For information about the institution where Emily teaches, follow the link:
Emily teaches at the Western Springs Location on Tuesday's, Thursday's, and Friday's, and the Naperville Location on Monday's and Wednesdays. Please call (708) 246-9309 to request Emily as your teacher, or email admin@wsste.com.
FAQ's and concerns from Parents:
"My child is too young to start playing the violin. I want them to play, but I think I should wait a bit longer."
No! Your child is never too young to start playing the violin! In fact, some of the best violinists I know start at the age of 3, sometimes even 2. There are ways to begin teaching your child about music and the violin for even the youngest of ages. At WSSTE, we prefer getting younger starters, so we can teach them the basics from the youngest, most developmental, mind-forming years.
"My child has a horrible attention span. They are too wiggly, too unfocused, too impatient to start playing the violin."
No, they're not! The Suzuki Method is all about teaching to the heart of the child, and teaching patience, discipline, and attention to detail through the vessel of the violin. If you're child is like this, the Suzuki Method is actually perfect for you and your child.
"Do I have to practice with my child every day? I'm a working parent, and I don't know if I'll have time."
The Suzuki Method is based off of the concept of the Triangle; the relationship between the Teacher, Child, and Parent. At home, the parent becomes the teacher. If you are not able to practice with your child at home every day, then the Suzuki Method is not for you. If you are willing to take the time with your child for 15-30 minutes a day, you will grow your relationship with your child, have a deep connection and love through music together, a lifetime of memories, and an appreciative child.
"I don't know anything about the violin. I don't know anything about music! Can I still be a Suzuki Parent?"
Not to worry! We take the time to make sure our Parents are educated each week, and answer any questions along the way. We always incorporate "Parent Education" in our program. It is the teachers job to make sure that the Parent is extremely clear and has the proper tools to practice with the child each week. If you have the love and time for your child, you have everything you need to begin lessons.
"I have 4 kids at home. Is it possible to take lessons with more than 1 child? That sounds extremely difficult and time consuming."
It will be much easier than you think. In fact, you may even get some extra added bonuses for having multiple children in lessons! When you bring all your kids in for your block of lesson times, your children will be listening to the songs, listening to the things we say in lessons, and slowly but surely picking up on things along the way. Often times, I won't have to repeat much in lessons or re-teach the same things over and over again to all the family members because the kids will hear it in one of their siblings lessons. Usually, the younger siblings move at a much faster rate since they've been observing their older siblings. It will make your job much easier. Not to mention the fact that you as a Parent will have more practice, and we'll be teaching your children how to sit respectfully and quietly when asked; a skill that is very applicable to every day life.
"My child can barely take care of their toys. There's no way they can handle a violin!"
The first thing we teach kids is how to handle the violin properly. They start with a box violin so they can learn how to handle it, and understand that they will earn a real violin when they prove they can take care of the box violin. When they finally get the real violin, your child will fully understand the value and importance of taking care of such a delicate instrument.
Have any other questions or concerns about your child or yourself with the violin? Call the school at (708) 246-9309 or email admin@wsste.com to contact our office Administrator.