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ISA Suzuki Voice Committee Report 2014

The Suzuki Voice Program since 1986 - Development from Childhood to Adulthood and Beyond

The Suzuki Voice Program is approved by the ISA. ISA Suzuki Voice Committee members are:

ESA

Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki, chair

PPSA

Katrina Pezzimenti

SAA

Mary Lu Hofer

Meetings during October 2013 - October 2014:

5 official e-mail meetings o October 10th, 2013 (Agenda October 3rd, 2013) o January 16th, 2014 (Agenda January 9th, 2014) o March 13th, 2014 (Agenda March 6th, 2014) o May 8th, 2014 (Agenda May 1st, 2014) o September 4th, 2014 (Agenda August 28th, 2014)

Coming Meetings during October 2014 - October 2015:

4 official e-mail meetings o February 5th, 2015 (Agenda January 29th, 2015) o April 23rd, 2015 (Agenda April16th, 2015) o August 27th, 2015 (Agenda August 20th, 2015) o November 5th, 2015 (Agenda November 12th, 2015)

Suzuki Voice Teacher Trainers Suzuki Voice Instructor

Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki Mette Heikkinen Katrina Pezzimenti Mary Hofer Analia Capponi-Savolainen Mervi Sipola-Maliniemi

Since 1991 Since 1993 Since 2006 Since 2009 Since 2012 Since 2014 Finland Finland Australia USA Argentina Finland

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ISA Suzuki Voice Committee Decisions as of 2014

The International Suzuki Voice Committee has decided that until we have publications available

Suzuki Voice Volume materials are available only to accepted Suzuki Voice teachers-in-training

and accredited Suzuki Voice teachers and their students. This was signed by all committee members

from USA, Australia and Europe on September 8th, 2013.

Internationally accepted Volume 1 and 2 need no revision – by unanimous agreement October 16th,

2012 at 3.35 pm during ISA Suzuki Voice Committee meeting. Alfred is able to publish 1-2 books /

year. Violin book 6 and the viola book 9 were scheduled for 2013. Martin Rüttimann (ISA board)

hopes that they can prioritize the voice book 1 and 2 for 2014.

Volume 3 is internationally accepted. Volume 3 was recommended to be published during ISA

Suzuki Voice Committee meeting August 21st, 2013 at 4.24 pm. Minutes of the meeting January

11th, 2013 show unanimous agreement.

Core material for Suzuki Voice Program's Advanced levels (Song selections) was accepted

internationally October 16th, 2012 at 5 pm. All agreed also that Vaccai belongs to advanced levels.

Minutes of the meeting January 11th, 2013 show unanimous agreement.

Song selections by ESA, PPSA Levels and SAA UNITs: Level 4 part 1—3 (ESA), Intermediate

level Stage 2 part 1—3 (PPSA), coming UNITs 4— 6 (SAA). Level 5 part 1—4 (ESA), Advanced

Level part 1—4 (PPSA), coming UNITs 7—10 (SAA). Minutes of the meetings January 16th

,

March 13th

and May 8th, 2014 show discussion and no objections. Level 5 requirements were

accepted in the ESA 11 years ago in 2003.

July 2014 we found out about a serious breach of copyright and trademark. We decided to send a

letter to CEO / ISA board during September 4th

, 2014 meeting. We hope that the ISA board will

discuss this issue and may take some further steps in this. Documents have been sent separately.

Summary of the Suzuki Voice Program is on page 10.

Suzuki Voice Program Highlights during October 2013—October 2014

Suzuki Voice Teachers, students and families have been active.

Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki was awarded on December 6th

2013 an honorary medal of a Knight of the

Order of The White Rose of Finland for her 28 years of work for the benefit of children. The

president of Finland is the Grand Master of the decision committee.

https://twitter.com/SuzukiVoice/status/447033549720285185/photo/1https://twitter.com/SuzukiVoice/status/447033549720285185/photo/1

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December 8th, 2013 Suzuki Families Association celebrated its 25th Anniversary and Suzuki Voice Theatre

and performing group “Crescendo” its 10th anniversary. Gala Recital was held December 8

th, 2013 at Concert

Hall Martinus. Behind is a photo from Japan 1986.

“Music School Virtus”, one Suzuki Voice –school in Finland established by Mervi Sipola-Maliniemi,

celebrated its 10th Anniversary.

“Songs for Sharing Suzuki Voice Workshop” celebrates its 15th Anniversary in 2014. The idea of "Songs for

Sharing" was born in 1999 in Barcelona by Jaume Fargas Fernandez and Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki.

Suzuki Families association 25 years old Musiikkikoulu Virtus 10 years old

Sara Bañeras Carrió performed the role of Frasquita in the OperAir Barcelona Festival's production of

Carmen in August 5, 7 & 9, 2014! Sara started her singing studies when she was little in the Suzuki Voice

program under Jaume Fargas Fernandez. Jana Corominas Segarra, another student of Mr. Fargas Fernandez

has been accepted to the Singing Department at the Music Conservatory of the Opera House in Barcelona.

Jana Corominas Segarra (Catalunya)

Iiris Sydänmäki student of Mervi Sipola-Maliniemi, Finland has been accepted into the Finnish National

Opera House Children’s choir.

Mezzosoprano Pihla Terttunen (Finland, Sweden)

Mezzosoprano Pihla Terttunen, 24 yr, a former student of Dr. Kukkamäki, had Timo Mustakallio Winner’s

recital during Savonlinna opera festival 5.7.2014. She studies opera singing in Sweden.

Tiia Ruikkala, student of Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki, is singing in Finnish National opera Theatre group for young

singers. Sara Bejedi, another student of Dr. Kukkamäki was selected from over 2000 applicants to participate

in the famous TV –competitions’ Finnish version of “The Voice Kids”. Sara was one of the 6 finalists.

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Petra Kukkamäki (Finland, Austria)

Petra Kukkamäki, 24 yr, a former student of Dr. Kukkamäki, performed in Germany this summer.

There she also appeared in a radio program made for her teacher professor Irina Gavrilovici.

Left: Jaana Lehtinen, Outi Pekkarinen, Maria Rivera White and Amelia Seyssel (USA), Dr. Kukkamäki, Mette Heikkinen, Mervi Sipola-Maliniemi

and Analia Capponi-Savolainen Middle: Amelia Seyssel (USA) ESA Level 5. Right: Outi Pekkarinen (Finland), level 1 June 27th, 2014

Suzuki Voice Teacher Training continues 2014 with Suzuki Voice Teacher Trainers Mette

Heikkinen, Finland (ESA), Analia Capponi-Savolainen, Argentina, Finland (ESA), Mary Hofer

(SAA), Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki (ESA, PPSA, SAA) and Katrina Pezzimenti (PPSA, ESA). ESA

Teacher Training panel and European Suzuki Teachers’ Convention was held in Brussels, Belgium

April 2014, Mervi Sipola-Maliniemi and Dr. Kukkamäki attended.

Mervi Sipola Maliniemi (Finland) was appointed ESA Suzuki Voice Instructor March 2014.

Congratulations!

Concert trip to Hungary 2014 (Mervi’s students).

The Suzuki Voice Program Professional Development and Teacher Training Audition deadlines are

every year 30th of January, March, May, August and October in ESA and PPSA.

SAA Short-Term training courses (UNIT) audition deadlines are in May and in August.

After acceptance participation to the Professional Development and Training will start by

application to Suzuki Voice Teacher Trainers. Training period is possible to start any time of the

year by application to Suzuki Voice Teacher Trainers. Teacher Trainers will travel also to other

countries, if participants have been accepted into training.

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The following Suzuki Voice Teachers have completed the Suzuki Voice Program Professional

Development Teacher Training and made ESA Suzuki Voice Teacher’s exam. Congratulations!

Right: Marjaana, Mette, Maura (USA), Elina, Päivi and Marianne Rygner (Denmark) January 2014 in Finland

Middle: National Summer Workshop 2014 after Church recital. Amelia Seyssel sung with the chamber orchestra Bach Left: New Suzuki Voice Instructor Mervi Sipola-Maliniemi

Level 1 / Primary Level Stage One exam (150 hours): Maura Donnelly O’Halloran (USA) and

Elina Risku-Pellinen (Finland) in Finland January 2014. Outi Pekkarinen (Finland) in June 27th

,

2014. Training with Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki and Mette Heikkinen in Finland.

Level 5 / Advanced Level exam (160 hours): Amelia Seyssel (USA) June 27th

, 2014 completed

ESA Suzuki Voice Teacher Training with Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki and Mette Heikkinen in Finland.

Amelia Seyssel is the first fully accredited Suzuki Voice Teacher from USA.

Maura Donnelly O’Halloran (USA), Outi Pekkarinen (Finland), Elina Risku-Pellinen (Finland)

participated in the National Suzuki Winter Workshop in Kouvola, Finland January 2014. Amelia

Seyssel (USA), Elina Risku-Pellinen (Finland) and Outi Pekkarinen (Finland) participated in

practicum during the National Finnish Suzuki Association Summer workshop 2014.

Next ESA exams will be in October 2014. Eriko Shimada (Japan-England) will be the first Level 4 /

Intermediate Level Stage Two (140 hours) Suzuki Voice Teacher from Japan (Teri).

Eriko Shimada (England/Japan), Elina Risku-Pellinen (Finland), Outi Pekkarinen (Finland), Maura Donnelly O’Halloran (USA),

Asha Lunarzewski (Australia) Claudia Lepe (Chile). Right : Julian Molinero (Argentina)

SAA Conference was held in Minneapolis in May 2014. Apologies for no information. Report was

not received on time.

The following Suzuki Voice Teachers have completed SAA Unit 3 Course (38 hours): Therese

Bertrand, Melissa Casey, Jeremy Chessman, Iain Macpherson and Lisa Murray in Wisconsin

August 2014. Training with Mary Hofer (USA). Congratulations! (Apologies for no photos.

Permission slips were not received to post photographs.)

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Suzuki Voice Program - Step by step process

Special vocal exercises from the beginning (Päivi’s student)

Small solo recitals from the beginning. Level 3 recital (5-year-olds) with the chamber music orcestra (Päivi’s students)

The Power of the group (Analia’s students) Aldo Guerreo Moreno (Mexico)

Singing Happy Suzuki Way in Japan (Masayo’s studens)

Finald Suzuki Voice Recitals Mari Level 5, Sini and Tiia (Päivi’s students)

Productions for all student from 0 and up.

Concert tour in Hungary in June 2014, Instructor Mervi Sipola-Maliniemi

Suzuki Voice group of The Music School Virtus received an invitation to visit Iszkaszentgyörgy,

Hungary. Our visit was hosted by Mr. Ari S. Kupsus. Under his guidance we were able to explore

the place, to visit the school and above all we got to live in his magnificent castle. We performed

the opening ceremony of the art exhibition and we had a concert for school children. Our 10th

anniversary concert was held in the castle. The concert was a success! We got an invitation to come

again next year.

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Coming Events

Suzuki Voice Teacher & Student Workshops in

Poughkeepsie, NY, USA!

November 9 through 16, 2014 (approx. 8 days)

Organized by Amelia Seyssel Music Studio!

http://www.ameliaseyssel.com/Music_Studio/newsevents.html

The 12th

international Songs for Sharing

Suzuki Voice Workshop 30.3.—5.4.2015 in Mexico-City

The 12th international "Songs for Sharing" Suzuki Voice Workshop will be held in Mexico, 30th

March- 4th of April 2015! Suzuki Voice Teacher Aldo Guerrero is organizing the event together

with his Association and with Dr. Kukkamäki´s and Analia Capponi-Savolainen’s assistance.

Analia Capponi-Savolainen is helping with the communication and translation/interpretation of

English and Spanish texts for the workshop.

Suzuki Voice Teacher Trainers will be Dr. Kukkamäki, Katrina Pezzimenti and Analia Capponi-

Savolainen. Teachers and students are coming from Finland, Argentina, Australia, USA, Paraguay,

Mexico, Chile and hopefully many other countries will participate.

http://www.ameliaseyssel.com/Music_Studio/newsevents.html

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European Suzuki Convention DAVOS, SWITZERLAND,

2015 JULY 14—19

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Päivi’s Suzuki Voice Students in Matsumoto 1989 and 1999. Suzuki Voice students and teachers from Australia, England, Finland, Japan and USA in

Matsumoto, Japan March 2013

September 4th

, 2014

On Behalf of Suzuki Voice Teacher Trainers, Suzuki Voice Teachers,

Suzuki Voice Students and Suzuki Voice Families

Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki, ISA committee, chair

Founder of the Suzuki Voice Program

ISA Suzuki Voice committee members 2014

Katrina Pezzimenti Mary Hofer Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki, chairperson ESA, PPSA SAA ESA, PPSA, SAA

Teacher Trainer Teacher Trainer Teacher Trainer

The Founder of the Program

AUSTRALIA USA EUROPE

accentmusic(a)aapt.net.au mhofer(a)uws.edu suzukivoice(a)kolumbus.fi

mailto:accentmusic(a)aapt.net.aumailto:mhofer(a)uws.edumailto:suzukivoice@kolumbus.fi

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SUMMARY (Revision September 2014)

The Suzuki Voice Program is approved by the ISA. The Suzuki Voice Program has been specially

designed to learn vocal technique and style in a progressive manner. It is a Classical Voice

Program.

The Suzuki Voice Program is 28 years old (founded by Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki 1986, contract was

made 1994). The first Expectant mothers’ Suzuki Voice Group started 27 years ago in Finland.

Total 41 Conferences or workshops and 21 Concert trips with Suzuki Voice Students to 16 different

countries since 1986.

The Suzuki Voice Program has been in use and adapted by teachers around the world. Official

Suzuki Voice teacher's exams in Europe have been conducted since 1998, in Australia since 2001

and the first official SAA UNIT 1 course in America since 2005.

This also needs to be clarified that Suzuki Singing is the same thing as Suzuki Voice. Early years it

was also called Singing in the Suzuki Style. These are all copyright titles – early version titles of

Suzuki Voice.

Suzuki Voice Teachers have been trained from 21 countries.

There are currently five Suzuki Voice Teacher Trainers (photo page 1) and one Instructor (as of

2014).

ESA and PPSA Level 1—5 Suzuki Voice Teachers: Professional development and training in each

level is 120—160 hours + exams. SAA UNIT 1, 2, 3 (2013) Short-Term training is 35—65 hours

depending on the UNIT.

The Suzuki Voice Web site is in English, Spanish, Finnish and Japanese, during 2015—2016 it will

be in German. Suzuki Voice Teacher’s ESA, PPSA, SAA training results and Suzuki Voice

Teacher’s exam results will be updated yearly. The first Suzuki Voice Teachers have been trained in

ESA from TERI (Level 1, 2, 3 and October 10th 2014 Eriko Shimada will make Level 4).

All regions have different names for LEVELS or UNITS. ESA and PPSA hours are from the

Professional Development Teacher Training Curriculum, SAA hours are from the current SAA

Short Term courses. Practicums are not a requirement in SAA, but they are required when we

compare regions to each other.

All regions have an audition at the beginning. SAA has a second audition before UNIT 4. ESA and

PPSA do not have a second audition as they have an examination after every level which includes

teaching, conversation, playing skills and an examination recital.

The idea of "Songs for Sharing" Workshop was born in 1999 in Barcelona by Jaume Fargas

Fernandez and Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki. Suzuki Voice Teachers and Suzuki Voice Families together

organize the events. Workshop means promoting international peace and cultural understanding

through singing together, in ensemble, in solo and in multiple languages, using the Suzuki Voice

repertoire: Volume 1—3 songs, Vaccai Vocalises, specific required Italian Antique Arias, Art

Songs and Lieder, songs from Musical Theater, songs / part songs from each Suzuki Voice Country,

and arias / ensembles from Opera & Oratorio. All ages of students, infants through adults, are

encouraged to participate.