On May 27, nine students from WW-P Community Education’s Suzuki program traveled to New York City to play at Carnegie Hall. Their teacher, Barbara Greenberg, is a graduate of the School for Strings in New York City, and received her teaching training in the Suzuki approach. Her students were invited to play at Carnegie as School for Strings celebrated its 40th anniversary. They will perform again, closer to home, on Monday, June 13, at Community Middle School.
Students who participated include Vivian Chen, 7, Shreya Joshi, 7, and Rhea Kak, 8, all students at Dutch Neck School; Jai Narayanan, 7, and Rishima Kasi, 8, both of Town Center School; Eric Yao, 9, and Shruti Joshi, 11, both of Village School; Drew Nelson, 12, Community Middle School; and Snigdha Kasi, 14, Grover Middle School.
The students prepared pieces chosen from the published Suzuki repertoire and practiced for many weeks. “Students took the challenge to reach a higher level of playing by choosing a more advanced entry level piece,” says Greenberg. “By repeating these pieces and working hard, they all have reached their goals and a higher level of skill and musicianship. I am so proud of them and so appreciative of their parents for encouraging them to take part in this exciting opportunity.”
“The entire concert was of a very high musical level,” says Greenberg. “All of the students have told me that it was a spectacular experience.”
Each musician received a commemorative T-shirt and a shikishi, a plaque from Matsumoto, Japan, that read, “Man is a son of his environment.” The Suzuki approach is built on the parents and teacher together creating a loving environment in which to learn music.
“My friends were amazed that I got to play at Carnegie Hall — on the same stage as so many famous musicians,” said Nelson.
— Lynn Miller
Concert, WW-P Community Education, Community Middle School, Plainsboro. Monday, June 13, 7:30 p.m. Students of Suzuki who recently played at Carnegie Hall in concert. Free. 609-716-5000.
