Branch Reports
Treasurer needed
Our wonderful Treasurer, Sylvain, has decided to resign from the Wellington Suzuki Committee. Sylvain has served in this role for the past 7+ years and has made a substantial impact on all things Suzuki in the Wellington region. From managing finances to championing the registration process for our events, printing name tags, and organising tutor flights and logistics, Sylvain has made a huge contribution to our committee and our tamariki. We would like to thank him warmly for the time and dedication he has generously given.
When one door closes, another opens. We are now seeking submissions of interest to join our Committee. We are a small group of dedicated Suzuki teachers and parents who work hard behind the scenes to organise events such as the annual Wellington Spring Workshop and the Masterton Summer Camp.
Joining a Suzuki Committee is a great way to support our teachers and help deliver a complete educational experience for our children. It also provides an opportunity to foster friendships and connections within this community and to model active citizenship and volunteerism for yourself and your family.
If you are interested in joining, either as Treasurer or a general member, we would love to hear from you. Please email wellington@suzuki.org.nz for further information, including role descriptions.
Warm regards,
Wellington Suzuki Branch Committee
Northland
The Northland Branch held a Weekend Violin Workshop on 3–4 May at Pakaraka Primary School. The event began with a Play-in on Saturday morning and ended with a Play-out concert for whānau and friends on Sunday afternoon.
Students took part in masterclasses, group lessons, and musical enrichment activities. A special Pre-Twinkle programme ran on both days, and guest tutor Trudi Miles led the violin teaching. A parent education session was also planned, with activities provided for tamariki during that time.
Earlier in the year, the branch hosted a Christmas concert for Dora’s guitar and piano students, followed by shared kai. Students and families are now looking forward to Enliven, a community performance that Northland Suzuki will be part of.
The branch is supported by a small committee of Suzuki parents and teachers. If you’d like to help out with future events, you’re very welcome to join the team.
Auckland
As this is being written, the Auckland Branch is in full swing organising it’s Annual Town Hall Concert. This is a real highlight in the life of our branch and involves Suzuki students of all instruments coming together from all across Auckland to present a concert on the majestic and historic Auckland Town Hall stage. This year we have over 330 students involved so we can’t wait! The concert always ends with all the violins, violas, cellos and guitars playing twinkles in D major, led by our Year 13 leavers.
Other events going on this year have been piano teacher training which was run in April, as well as the popular Suzuki on Sundays series, which are concerts run once a term which any students from across Auckland can sign up for.
We have already begun planning our Spring Workshop, which will once again be held at Kohia Terrace School, and we look forward to welcoming guest tutors from Australia and from around NZ.
Fiona Haughton
Auckland Branch
Hamilton
The 2024 Summer Camp at St Peter’s was a truly joyful and enriching experience, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, families, and teachers alike. This year’s additions of folk dancing and a choir, alongside the return of our much-loved concert, helped foster a warm, close-knit family atmosphere that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
We were especially honoured to welcome back two former Suzuki students who performed beautifully at the Concerto Concert on the final evening. It’s always a pleasure to see our alumni continuing their musical journey and returning to share their talents with the next generation.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to continue building on the success of this year’s camp. Plans are already in motion to expand our offerings, and we can’t wait to share more with you in the near future—so stay tuned!
It was also wonderful to connect with the teachers undertaking their Book 5 Training at camp. Knowing there is a strong and growing network of Suzuki teachers in training, both locally and across the country, is a great encouragement to us all.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible teaching team: Sally-Ann Brown, Kim Bishop, Jenni Champion, Milly Rout, Trudi Miles, Erica Booker, Fleur Chee, Lara Hall, and Marieke Nation. Your dedication, inspiration, and love for the Suzuki method shine through in every interaction. It has been an honour to have you teach, encourage, and share your knowledge with the students and their families, all through the lens of well-loved classical repertoire.
We would also like to extend a huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers. Your behind-the-scenes support played a vital role in keeping everything running smoothly throughout the camp. From helping with logistics to assisting families and teachers, your contribution was invaluable and deeply appreciated. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Looking Ahead: 2026 Annual Camp
Although we had pre-booked our regular venue for the 2026 camp, we have recently been informed that it will no longer be available for our use next year. While the venue has expressed interest in hosting us again in the future, we are now actively seeking a new location for our next camp. Please rest assured that we understand how important this annual tradition is, and we are committed to finding a suitable alternative that will allow us to continue bringing our community together. We will keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available.
Quita Clifton
Hamilton Chairperson
Wellington
The Wellington Summer Camp was a fantastic, sunny success, as ever.
This time we were financially secure, in part thanks to our sponsors & benefactors : Creative NZ, Music Planet, Trust House Foundation, Liverton Security and Antonio Strings. And in large part due to the Wellington Branch Committee’s meticulous planning and dedicated graft.
At the last minute, Zohara Rotem had to pull out for health reasons, but the piano organisers conjured up three replacement tutors, one of whom tested positive for Covid on the first day… all these problems were resolved with equanimity.
This year we had a record number of students (147 violinists, 41 cellists, 25 pianists, 6 double-bass and 10 guitars – 229 in total).
And now we’re starting to organise our Spring Workshop, and looking for a new Treasurer, since Sylvain has retired in that role, after many years, for which the Committee (and branch families) are very grateful.
Jonathan Ravens
South Island
South Island Autumn Workshop
The South Island Suzuki Autumn Workshop was held again in Dunedin during April at Trinity Catholic College. Although it was a day programme, many families enjoyed reconnecting and socialising outside of class hours.
Students attended 3–5 classes each day, with activities including group lessons, technique classes, ensemble groups, percussion, musical enrichment, and African drumming. Classes were offered in violin, viola, cello, and piano.
Each morning began with singing, which was great fun and enthusiastically joined by many parents. It helped get everyone into music mode and build a strong sense of community. The musical enrichment class was also a highlight, helping students deepen their rhythmic understanding in an engaging way.
Suzuki South Island Camp 2025
Set in beautiful Oamaru at Waitaki Boys’ High School — with great coffee and excellent cheese just a short walk away — the Suzuki South Island Camp was a week of music, fun, and friendship. From the first play-in to the final concert, the halls rang with music and laughter.
With a fantastic team of tutors, students enjoyed masterclasses, group lessons, ensembles, and enrichment sessions in a warm, supportive environment.
Beyond the music, tamariki roamed freely, toasted marshmallows with new friends, and played games late into the evenings. Kids encouraged each other to practise, while parents connected over shared meals and relaxed chats.
It was a perfect mix of music, freedom, and community — everything a Suzuki camp should be.
