For more information:
Email: suzuki@traversesymphony.org
or register online here!
New session for 2023:
January 9 through May 26th, 2023 – off the week of spring break
Location: First Congregational Church
Email: suzuki@traversesymphony.org for questions or to sign up!
Program Description:
In the Traverse Symphony Suzuki School, led by TSO violinist Ann Marie Van Patten and TSO violist Kim Teachout, we believe that every child can thrive in a positive and nurturing learning environment. We believe that learning music is beneficial to the well-being of every child. In the TSSS we facilitate this through the development of the “Student-Parent-Teacher” triangle in weekly private lessons and group classes. Daily listening and home practice with the child’s caregiver are important to develop the relationship and the skills learned in private lessons. This in turn helps to develop self-confidence within the child. The weekly group classes provide a vital community in which to belong, inspire, explore, and grow.
Meet your instructors!
Mrs. Ann Marie Van Patten is a freelance musician and personal coach based in Northern Michigan. Ann Marie earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Michigan State University and a Masters of Music Education from Grand Valley State University. She began her teaching career while studying at Michigan State as a Suzuki violin teacher in the Community Music School. Since that time she has primarily taught young orchestra students through public education at the middle and high school levels, most recently with the Traverse City West Orchestras. She is a certified Suzuki violin teacher, an active adjudicator for state Solo and Ensemble Festivals, and has served on several music education committees in the state of Michigan. She enjoys performing as a violinist with the Traverse Symphony and Great Lakes Chamber Orchestras and with a variety of small ensembles within her community.
Kim Teachout grew up in Traverse City, MI and received a Bachelor of Music at Northern Illinois University, a Master’s in Music Performance at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and completed 3 years of a Doctoral program at Arizona State University. Kim is currently the Associate Principal Viola with Traverse Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Viola with Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra. As a registered Suzuki violin and piano teacher, Kim has spent much of the last two decades teaching the Suzuki Method throughout the US and Italy. She currently maintains a large and active violin, viola, and piano studio teaching both Suzuki and traditional methods, and is a class piano Instructor at Northwestern Michigan College.The MSU Community Music School video, featuring Mrs. Van Patten:
