The Philosophy

---

The goal of Turner’s Music Workshops is to help foster a environment where the lives of children and adults may be enriched through learning a musical instrument. The Suzuki Method, developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, is the curriculum and philosophy I use. It’s founded on the premise that all children are born with potential talent and can achieve a high level of musical ability. If your child can learn to speak, she or he has everything they need to learn to play an instrument. This is referred to as the mother-tongue approach. This is a unique approach to learning a musical instrument and allows for children to begin lessons as early as 2.6 years of age. 

While one of Dr. Suzuki’s goals was to develop professional musicians, it was ultimately the creation of an environment where development occurs, that was most important to him. He is quoted as saying, “Talent is developed by environmental stimulation. We work on the environment, not on the child. The environment is what we can change.”  This is the Suzuki Philosophy. 

The environment that is promoted in the home, and created at Turner’s Music Workshops is one of nurturing, love, respect, and character. This is not just music education. We don’t only instill a love for music. The Suzuki approach puts emphasis on the development of a child’s character, self-esteem, and confidence. Many students have expressed they feel the benefits of playing an instrument via the Suzuki method. That it has helped them learn discipline, goal setting, and time management skills. They enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from working on something worthwhile and doing it well. Truly, the long-term effects of those students and families that have embraced the method have been substantial and profound. I have experienced and witnessed it myself. 

It is my pleasure to be offering music lessons using the Suzuki Method as my primary curriculum. Turner’s Music Workshops is committed to Dr. Suzuki’s goal, “To nurture loving human beings and help develop each child’s character through the study of music.”

-David Thomas Turner