Therèse Ahlers Music Studio

Tiny Twinklers open days:

Saturday 26 June 9.00-9.45am

And Wednesday 30 June 9.30 – 10.15am

“Tiny Twinklers” is a Suzuki ECE music programme for parents and their children aged 0-4 ½ years. Classes are lead by a qualified and experienced music teacher assisted by a team teacher.

“Tiny Twinklers” classes help, through music, to prepare the foundations required to take full advantage of the children’s future educational opportunities. Suzuki students develop confidence and self-esteem and learn to find the joy that comes through music making.

The concepts used in the Suzuki ECE curriculum are:

• Every child can learn
• Ability develops early
• Environment nurtures growth
• Children learn from one another
• Success breeds success
• Parental involvement in classes and parent education is important
• Encouragement is essential

The awareness of the importance of a rich and varied environment during the pre-natal period and earliest years of a child’s life has become mainstream knowledge. Through offering a Suzuki ECE music programme, music becomes the medium to lay the foundations for life-long learning.  Exposure to quality music and participation in music classes helps a child to

• develop an appreciation for beauty
• acquire personal and social skills
• learn discipline
• become a fine human being

These were among the main goals of Dr. Suzuki’s teaching.

As can be expected with a Suzuki approach, parental involvement is crucial and parent education forms a very important part of the programme. Suzuki ECE teachers understand the importance of assisting parents who are the child’s first and most important teacher. Parents are able to create a rich and varied environment for their baby at home, even before they are born.  Parents may have little or no musical background, but often become interested in attending baby music classes due to their desire to provide a balanced and nurturing environment for their baby during these important years.

The Suzuki ECE programmes have grown tremendously in Canada since 1989, and in recent years it has become an important part in music schools and conservatoires in the USA. The programme was introduced in Australia in 1999 by Emma O’Keefe and continues to grow. In July 2009, Therèse Ahlers started with New Zealand’s first Suzuki ECE programme in Tauranga.

An “open day” will be held on Saturday 26^th (9.00am) and Wednesday 30^th of June (9.30am), where families interested in registering for term 3 will be able to take part in a class. Numbers are limited.

For further information, please contact Therèse on (07) 5766073,    027-6840486, or visit http://www.thereseahlers.com/tinytwinklers/

Cello newsletter term 2 no 3, 22 June 2010

Dear Students and families,

The busiest term is almost over, and I’ve been planning to send out a newsletter for some time.

Firstly I would like to congratulate Hector Fitzsimons for playing his Book 1 graduation, as well as Vicki Reid and Flavia Edwards with their book 2 graduations. It is a great achievement to give a book recital to family and friends, or sharing your gift of music at a retirement home where musical events are always appreciated. I’m sure that the second half of the year will see several more book graduations for those students who are ready! Keep up the hard work and revision during the relaxing holiday time, especially revision of earlier pieces!

It was great to see so many of my students at the “Cellophonics” concert this past Sunday afternoon at the Tauranga Art Gallery. Wasn’t that simply wonderful! The rich, warm sound of a group of celli playing together (which we all do every week in cello group classes) and the incredible technical ability of both Eddie King and Santiago Cañón Valencia in their solo performances! We are incredibly fortunate to have someone like Santi (who has been learning cello for just over 10 years) playing here and serving as a wonderful inspiration to all cellists. We hope to have them back again soon to perform in Tauranga!

I discovered that 2010 is a year with 2 extra school weeks than what I have normally planned for in my 38 week teaching calendar. Due to an important family get-together in July in Ecuador, I decided to extend my July holiday in order to make the trip possible. For this reason cello lessons resume on 2 August, after my return.

I have however invited my ex-student Martha Read (who is currently studying at Waikato University, and also performed beautifully with “Cellophonics”) to give you all a group lesson on Saturday morning 24^th of July at Wesley church small hall. This will give you all an opportunity for review while I’m away. I am covering the cost of these group lessons.

The planned schedule is: 11.00 – 11.55am – Ann, Heather, Hector, John, Janaya, Samuel, Tania.

12.00-12.55pm – Alistair, Cornelia, Fieke, Flavia, Safira, Susan, Tara, Vicki

I have booked the small hall from 9.00am, so there is time for 4 half-hour private lessons before the groups. Anyone who would like to have a private lesson from Martha could contact me during the next 10 days and I will arrange that before the holidays. Her fee (as a student teacher) is $30 per hour ($15 per half hour lesson).

Please let me know as soon as possible if you are able to attend the group lesson and if you would like to book a private lesson. First come, first served … ( unless there are more than 4 students interested, and someone is happy to offer their lounge for Martha to teach in during the afternoon…).

I would also like to remind you of the remaining dates for this term:

• Performing arts participants: 27 June, Sunday: 1.30pm Greenwood Park retirement village, cnr. Welcome Bay & Ohauiti Rds.

For all my students there is the end-of-term concert:

• 30 June, Wednesday: 5.30 for 6.00pm Wesley Church. Bring a plate.

The Performing Arts take place in Baycourt. The cello quartet will perform on Friday 2 July at 1.30, and all other performances will be on Saturday 3^rd July and Sunday 4^th July.

Wishing you all a lovely winter holiday, which will provide everyone with a good opportunity to revise the first semester’s hard work, so we can move forward during the second half of the year. I’m very pleased with the progress and quality of work I have seen with all my students. I consider myself a very lucky teacher, to have such a vibrant studio.

Regards,

Therèse

Cello newsletter term 2 no 2.1  29 May 2010

Dear Students and families,

The newsletter I sent out yesterday was actually not complete, I discovered today. I was hoping for details of a few interesting concerts I wanted to bring to your attention, but I was still waiting for the details. I have them now:

This coming week on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2^nd of June, 7.00pm at the University of Waikato Music Department there are chamber music exams open to the public. Entry is $5. Martha Read, who started cello with me in 2000 when she was 8 years old and studied with me for 7 years, is one of the cellists performing in a trio. She is currently a second year student with James Tennant.

A week later, there are solo recitals at the same venue. Eddie King will be having his recital on the 8^th and Santiago Cañón Valencia on the 9^th. I hope some of you will be able to attend a few of these events, despite the fact that it is during the week and quite a drive away!

Regards,

Therèse

Cello newsletter term 2 no 2,   27 May 2010

Dear Students and families,

Term 2 is rushing by at a breath taking speed. I’m getting over a cold today and using the time to catch up on my neglected correspondence with you all!

Firstly I would like to remind you all that the enrolments for the Suzuki Winter Workshop are closing now. I’ve attached the information should you need it.

This term is very busy for the school-aged students as they are almost all enrolled in the Performing Arts competitions. I’ve arranged a few occasions for them to practise their pieces in front of an audience, which is part of the preparation needed to be ready for the performing arts event on 3 and 4 July.  These are the dates:

• 19 June, Saturday: 4-6pm first practice concert for students and parents at Fieke Noteboom’s venue, 547 Welcome Bay Road. Bring a plate to share for after the concert.
• 27 June, Sunday: 1.30pm Greenwood Park retirement village, cnr. Welcome Bay & Ohauiti Rds.

Hector Fitzsimons is having his book 1 graduation concert at 6.15 on Thursday 3 June at Wesley Church Lounge.

Vicki Reid will have her Book 2 graduation soon – to be held at Oaklands retirement home , the date and time to be announced.

I’ve also arranged a separate get-together for my adult students during Flavia’s book 2 graduation for some socialising and ensemble playing:

• Sunday morning, 20 June at 10.30, bring a plate to share for lunch. 625  Otamarakau Valley Rd, RD6 Te Puke. About 6kms down Otamarakau (turnoff on the Whakatane highway) where the gravel starts on the left. A long driveway about 1km, last house on top of hill.Tel: 5333252.

For all my students there is the end-of-term concert:

• 30 June, Wednesday: 5.30 for 6.00pm Wesley Church. Bring a plate.

Another date I would like to bring to your attention is Sunday 20 June 3.00pm, when the Cellophonics group (Waikato cello students) is performing at the Tauranga Art Gallery in Willow Street. Entry by Gold coin I believe…. This event is “not to be missed” if possible!

This is all for the moment! Have a lovely weekend!

Therèse Ahlers

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