NZSI Volume 37 No.2 Summer 2025
President’s Report to the AGM
Administration and Constitution review
Ahna Jensen has continued as Administrator and, with Vice President Lynette Carson, has refined accounts procedures and workflow. There is still a lot of time involved in preparing the end-of-year accounts and we thank Avril Hillind for her ongoing generosity to the NZSI in supporting this part of our organisation.
The Officers have continued work on the Constitution, Code of Ethics, Student Safety and Privacy Policies, incorporating feedback received to date. We are close to arranging a legal check on the new Constitution. After legal checking, we can organise a Special General Meeting for voting on adoption. This needs to happen before 31 March 2026. The Code of Ethics, Privacy and Student Safety Policies will follow; they will go out for the next round of consultation shortly.
Costs have continued to rise, and the Officers and the National Executive are recommending an increase of $10 in the subscription for the 2026-7 financial year as the present budget projections will not cover administration costs without an adjustment.
Website and Journal
Alison Macdonald has the second issue for this year underway. The first issue was published electronically, and the NE and Officers have reviewed costs and decided to publish both journals electronically in 2026. Ahna Jensen has taken over website maintenance from Sarah Newman and is managing this alongside her administration tasks.
Teacher training
Emma Goodbehere has taken on the role of Director of Teacher Training and has begun an extensive programme of digitising teacher training records and creating a system to facilitate access to electronic records for trainers and teachers.
From January 2025-March 2026 the NZSI is trialling a new Teacher Professional Development system, and a mixture of local and national PD sessions has been offered.
Particular thanks to Auckland Branch for offering advanced violin teacher PD as part of their Spring Workshop programme.
A more comprehensive application procedure for new and overseas teachers is at the second phase of trials and will be fully implemented before the end of the year.
National Executive
The National Executive met regularly through the financial year.
PPSA and ISA
In April 2026 there will be a PPSA Teacher Trainers Conference, Teacher Professional Development and Student Workshops at the Suzuki Music Victoria’s Autumn Festival. The Teacher Trainers event is a first for the PPSA and will be an important opportunity for trainers from the whole region to share ideas and review our training programmes.
The ISA Board will meet in October and will be reviewing publication procedures, international teacher training accreditation and welcoming a new Executive Director.
Thanks to all our volunteers
Thank you all for the generous donation of your time to support the activities of the NZSI.
Without the hundreds of voluntary hours so kindly given by so many people, our organisation could not run, and we are very grateful for the time and energy that goes into branch events, national events, overseeing teacher training, writing for the journal, and countless other tasks collectively done by the members. We may be a small organisation with a very modest budget, but the voluntary contribution of time across the organisation is testimony to the commitment and generosity of the members and represents the Suzuki spirit in action.
Margaret Cooke
NZSI President
14 September 2025
Articles
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Branch updates
Spring Workshops were held across several branches, alongside teacher training, community performances, and outreach concerts. Joint Northland–Auckland camp enrolments reached capacity, funding was secured to support camps and events, and planning is underway for Summer Camps and branch activities in 2026. Community stories from students, families, and ensembles are also shared.
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Understanding the Suzuki Method’s Character Development Focus
Drawing on research by Milly Rout (University of Auckland, 2025), this article explores how the Suzuki philosophy of “character first, ability second” shapes children’s development beyond musical skill. It highlights the vital role parents play in fostering perseverance, sensitivity, motivation, and independence through supportive involvement, positive home environments, and strong relationships within the Suzuki community.
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Pianos Return to the South Island
A reflection on teaching piano at the Suzuki Winter Workshop in Christchurch, celebrating increased piano enrolments, collaborative group learning, and a confident playout performance that showed just how much the students grew over the week.
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Graduation list June and November 2025
Congratulations to the students graduating in November 2025.
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Review: Learn Faster, Perform Better
In this book review, Ingrid Lindsay reflects on Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing by Molly Gebrian, exploring why this book has become such a compelling resource for musicians and teachers. Drawing on Gebrian’s background as a former Suzuki student, professional violist, and neuroscience researcher, the review highlights practical,…
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Life member – Lois McCallum
Lois McCallum shares her personal journey in music, from early violin lessons in Ōamaru to a lifetime of teaching and leading Suzuki programmes in Christchurch. She reflects on the mentors, community, and experiences that shaped her work, and on the honour of being awarded Life Membership of the New Zealand Suzuki Institute.
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Echoes from Matsumoto: A Journey into Talent Education
Elizabeth Lau’s Echoes from Matsumoto begins before the journey even starts, as careful preparation, generous hospitality, and an unexpected bicycle set the scene for a deeply personal Suzuki learning experience—one that starts with learning to ride before ever setting foot in Japan.
Classifieds
Violin for sale (October 2025)
- German trade/factory violin from around 1910’s or 1900.
- LOB358
- Sale price $2,700
- Case $100
- Valued recently by Antonio Strings
- Insurance value $3,500-$4,000
Contact: Glynis Thomson
glynist100@gmail.com
Piano for sale (December 2025)
- Yamaha U3 ebony upright piano for sale.
- Played by my son who learnt piano with a Suzuki teacher for many years.
- Excellent condition. Has lived on an internal wall. Has a system to allow for silent practice if desired though not used by my son and might need tweaking. Can be removed.
- 153 wide, 65 deep, 130 high.
- Reg number: U3 H 2139417
Price $4500
Location Remuera. Access fairly easy with 2 front steps.
Please email Jules bproofgarland@gmail.com with queries.
