Community music school sets Suzuki violin orientation class

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

CONWAY - An orientation class for parents interested in the Suzuki violin method will be held 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday in the University of Central Arkansas Snow Fine Arts Center, Room 316.

UCA Community School of Music instructors Susan and Michael Burkepile will meet with interested parents and children, explain the Suzuki method of instruction and size children for instruments. The meeting is for parents who are interested in learning more about early violin training for their children and parents may attend either session. Students interested in more traditional violin instruction are welcome to attend also. The Burkepiles teach both Suzuki and traditional methods of instruction and welcome students of all ages.

Suzuki Violin (or Talent Education method), for children 4 and up, is available for parents looking for a different approach to musical instruction for their young beginners. Young beginners learn to play the violin based on the same philosophy and methods in which they learned to speak, through listening, repetition and positive reinforcement. Parental involvement and support at home is especially important for very young learners.

Susan and Mike Burkepile both attended schools in Arkansas. Susan Spotts Burkepile graduated from Conway HighSchool and received a degree in violin performance from Baylor University. Michael Burkepile graduated from Fort Smith Southside, attended the University of Arkansas and graduated with a degree in violin performance from Baylor University. Both were active in their high school and college orchestras and Susan performed in the Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra. They received their Suzuki Teacher Training while in Texas and have taught both Suzuki and traditional violin for about 15 years.

For more information, contact Jann Bryant, UCA CSM director, at (501)450-5755 or email JannB@uca.edu.

River Valley Ozark, Pages 70 on 09/25/2008