It’s not often you see a grandmother take the stage with her granddaughters in an auditorium to perform an acoustic rendition of M. Giuliani’s Allegretto.
But that’s just what happened at Sunday’s Spring Guitar Concert at the Smiley Building, presented by The Guitar Dojo.
The dojo’s director, Ruth Cutcher, said she uses the Suzuki method of teaching.
This method is based on the doctrine of Japanese violinist Shin’ichi Suzuki, who believed all people can learn from their environment.
“Suzuki is a method,” she said. “It refers to starting children very young.”
She begins taking students at age 3 and said the teachings eventually focus on character building and discipline.
“We’re trying to build noble hearts through music,” Cutcher said. “It’s a vehicle for these kids to grow up into fine human beings.
“Students learn by ear, and parents get involved and help the kids practice,” she said.
The method stands by heavy practice, lending itself to building talent.
Some of Cutcher’s 20 students were applauded for their dedication and commitment, accumulating hours upon hours of training.
“We learn pieces, and we stick to them,” she said. “And we play them over and over.”
She pointed out she’s not teaching her students to read music.
“You saw very few music stands on stage,” she said about the performance, “Usually, they were in front of the grown-ups.”
She said it’s typical that parents begin to practice with their children.
“They’re working with their kids everyday, and they inevitably end up learning how to play,” Cutcher said.
Kyle and Tami Hanson played ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” at the concert with their two daughters, Amiah, 9, and Sadie, 6.
They find the Suzuki method a family deal.
“We just did our spring break,” Kyle said, “and the instruments go with you. It’s not a ‘drop them off and go chill for a while’ kind of thing; it’s an active thing.”
James Allred said it has been valuable seeing his daughters play music with his mother.
His oldest daughter, Annissa, almost 10, wanted to play guitar and got her start with Cutcher at The Guitar Dojo. Now, with confidence, she plays in her school’s music program as well.
“Ruth’s passion for doing this is so apparent,” he said. “That was pretty amazing, watching twenty kids get up there.
“When she first started, she didn’t want to play in front of people,” he said, “but she’s really comfortable up there now.”
Allred said his youngest daughter, Abi, 8, is following in her big sister’s footsteps, and he is comforted by a gift they share with their grandmother, who plays Celtic harp.
“It’s a really neat bond,” he said. “They play music together.”
bmathis@durnagoherald.com
