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Welcome to SMAC-OC!

Please consider a donation to the

Helen Y.C. Shen Memorial Fund

for continuing education of
Suzuki Piano Teachers and Students
in the
Orange County Piano Branch

Donations are tax deductible

Music

⾳          楽

Sound     Enjoy

“The main goals of Suzuki philosophy are for the students to build a noble soul, develop an appreciation of beauty, give a sense of purpose to life, learn the discipline of acquiring a skill, and to become a fine human being.”

“Strive to be better today than yesterday.”



Piano Basics Workshop
with Ogiwara and Kawamura senseis
in
Orange County, CA

February 14-18, 2019



SMAC-OC Teachers

Name
Rebecca Mauss

Telephone
714-220-5914

City
Cypress

Email
rjmauss@gmail.com

Name
Mei-Yuen Ihara

Telephone
714-997-8692

City
Orange

Email
mhungihara44@gmail.com

Name
Melody Garber

Telephone
424-477-2076

City
Torrance

Email
Pianolessons@PianobyMelody.com

Name
Rae Kate Shen

Telephone
909-794-9461

City
Redlands

Email
RKShen@verizon.net

Name
Linda Carrier

Telephone
909-794-4736

City
Redlands

Email
suzukiteacher@mac.com


SMAC-OC Leadership

Lead Coordinator
Linda Carrier

Director
Mei-Yuen Ihara

Secretary
Melody Garber

Book Keeper
Rebecca Mauss


Suzuki Piano Basics

The Foundation was incorporated in 1996 as a 501(c)3 non-profit entity devoted to the teachings of Dr. Haruko Kataoka, who, while working closely with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki since 1955, was the co-founder of the Suzuki Piano Method.

The Foundation supports and promotes Dr. Kataoka's teaching in the following ways:

  • Encouraging attendance at Suzuki Piano Basics workshops
  • Sponsoring international 10-piano concerts
  • Providing materials (books, audio and video recordings) required by teachers who teach Suzuki Piano Basics
  • Publishing a bi-monthly newsletter containing the most recent articles by Dr. Kataoka
  • Keeping members informed of Piano Basics events
  • Publishing a membership directory, including faxes and e-mail addresses
  • Publishing Dr. Kataoka's books
  • Encouraging travel to Matsumoto, Japan to study with Japanese Piano Basic master teachers
  • The Suzuki Piano Basics Foundation, a non-profit corporation, is supported by membership dues and by tax-deductible donations
  • Membership in the Suzuki Piano Basics Foundation is $40.00 for a calendar year
  • Both teachers and parents may join

Membership Benefits:

  • A listing in the Foundation membership directory
  • A subscription to the Foundation's bi-monthly newsletter
  • A member discount and free shipping when purchasing educational materials


SMAC-OC History

Inspired during a February 1987 workshop with Haruko Kataoka in San Diego and encouraged by outstanding SAA (Suzuki Association of the Americas) teacher trainers, a small group of piano teachers set forth to organize a branch of Orange County Suzuki teachers. The teachers were Loretta Benson, Joyce Betson, Vi Brelje, Carol Clark, Gloria Krueger, and Nancy Wheeler.

Under the name of Talent Education of Orange County, the first executive board was formed in the summer of 1987 with Gloria Krueger chosen as president. The branch logo was designed and Judy Aoki published the first quarterly newsletter. Students, parents and teachers enjoyed the red "Nurtured by Love" Suzuki t-shirts and bags displaying the new logo.

Especially eager to provide education and training for themselves and for more Orange County teachers, the young organization sponsored its first SAA approved workshop in August of the same year. Elaine Worley of Idaho, the teacher trainer, also conducted master classes for piano students and addressed a large group of parents.

The very first student activity was a giant all-day play-in that same year with 93 violin and piano students who performed on 4 Steinway pianos in the largest shopping mall in Orange County, The South Coast Plaza.

SMAC-OC was chartered by the state organization in the fall of 1988. It became the fifth California branch and claimed 11 teacher members and 37 family members.

SMAC-OC sponsored its first Orange County Summer Music Camp in 1990 with Maxine Casper as director. The successful venture has been repeated with increasing enrollment each year. A student scholarship program, to be partially funded by profits from the cookbook, chaired by Heidi Yamami and Judy Aoki was established. Later, a scholarship program for teacher education was also planned.

SMAC-OC has continued to sponsor weekend long term training for piano teachers with Cathy Hargrave, master teacher since 1992. It has also sponsored 3-day and 5-day workshops, 5-day summer camps and institutes every year since 1990.


Code of Ethics

The main goals of the Suzuki philosophy are for the students to:

  • Build a noble soul
  • Develop an appreciation of beauty
  • Give a sense of purpose to life
  • Learn the discipline of acquiring a skill
  • Become fine human beings

Members of the Suzuki Music Association of California, Orange County branch (SMAC-OC), accept the principles stated in Nurtured by Love and other writings of Shinichi Suzuki and other leaders in the Talent Education Movement. These principles include:

  • Loving encouragement of individual growth
  • Mutual respect among all students, parents and teachers
  • Setting a good example
  • Striving for attainment of excellence
  • Honesty
  • Cooperation rather than competition


Resources

Suzuki Method References

  • Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki
  • Ability Development from Age Zero by Shinichi Suzuki
  • Sensibility and Education by Haruko Kataoka
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