(From The Dallas Morning News’ Local Edition)
When you hear a four-year-old child play the violin beautifully with extraordinary ease, you may wonder how her special gifts were discovered. But rather than digging into a child’s inborn talents, Love Nurtured Music‘s youngest students work on their musical and violin skills along with their parents on a daily basis, as one might do to memorize multiplication tables or the periodic table.
“We assume that every child can develop abilities to play the violin,” says Rigo Murillo, Love Nurtured Music’s founder and violin teacher. Murillo believes that musical talent is not born, but it is developed through listening, imitation, repetition, and the natural motivation that results when children play music together in their violin group classes.
According to a Scientific American article, neuroscientists examined the benefits of learning and practicing music. They found a direct correlation of music learning to the enhancement of general learning ability, another confirmation of the premise that music makes people smarter.
The researchers found that “assiduous instrument training from an early age can help the brain to process sounds better, making it easier to stay focused when absorbing other subjects, from literature to tensor calculus.” They also discovered that music lessons improves memory and concentration throughout one’s life and boosts the ability to multitask, work in disruptive environments and learning other languages.
This information comes handy at a time when many schools and education administrators are deciding to cut music and arts programs as a first resource. A report mentioned in the article found that, for example, the number of students enrolled in music programs in California dropped 50% from 1999 to 2004.
Recent research studies in brain development have pointed out the massive role that serious music study plays in young children’s abilities and psychological growth. Murillo’s goal is “to help children develop their musical abilities beyond what most parents think is possible.”
But the idea that musical talents can be affected by training is not new. The concept of ability development applied to music learning started when Shinichi Suzuki, a Japanese violin teacher began to teach violin to infants in Matsumoto in 1946.
“There is no physically-healthy child who won’t develop the ability needed to play the violin,” Murillo says.
Nolan, the parent of one of the young violinists says, “under Rigo’s guidance I’ve watched my daughter progress tremendously, and we look forward to a continued partnership with Rigo in the future.”
As a requisite for children to be admitted in the program, Murillo asks student parents to direct a daily practice regimen and play a prearranged music recording playlist at home. Murillo’s students take weekly one-on-one violin lessons, participate in group music classes, and perform for the community on a regular basis. Parents are always present during the program’s activities, so they can conduct effective home practice sessions.
The Richardson-based music establishment has lately flooded with young student’s parents wanting to try the all-inclusive musical approach. Students are admitted as young as three years old. Parents are required to observe a number of studio lessons before they commit to enroll their children in the music program.
To find out more about Love Nurtured Music’s young children’s music program, call 214-269-8545 or visit www.LoveNurturedMusic.org.
A warm salute to all who serve in the armed forces.
Thanks for defending our home, sweet home!
Enjoy this song:
Download this song here:
Back in the days when I was younger, a budding violinist, touring across Mexico playing concerts and recitals, here is a picture that my parents have in what used to be my home. I had forgotten about it. This time in my trip to visit my family, I “snatched” it and… here it is:
Young violinist, Rigo Murillo
My mother used to put this picture on an easel at the front of the venue where I was performing, when concert attendees were walking into the concert hall. Not much of a smiling picture, but I certainly was happy playing my violin!
Now, I am trying to give my students the best experience so that they, too can enjoy playing the violin and succeed. No, I’m not saying that I want ALL my students to be professional musicians. Whether they decide to be musicians, my goal for them is that they can rip the benefits and enjoyment of playing music, as well as a great work ethic and perseverance toward a task that many consider difficult. Every child can play!, as Shinichi Suzuki said.
Until next time!
Rigo
Q. Describe the most common types of students you have.A. I take young violin students, starting at three years old. My violin studio population student ages range from 3 to 18 years. I also have some adult students.
A. I take student families who are really serious about taking violin lessons as a long-term, life-enriching activity for their children. I offer a lot of fun while teaching young children the proper violin technique for excellence in their music studies. Some students decide to pursue music as a career, but most will enjoy playing music for a lifetime, just for fun.
A. I am a classically-trained professional violinist who dedicates most of my time to teaching young violin students. I rarely reschedule or cancel lessons, miss appointments, or such. You can expect professionalism of the highest caliber. I can refer you to any of my student families to corroborate this.
I am 100% dedicated to my students’ progress and their parents. I also play professionally, make recordings and coach music the rest of the time.
You can be confident that I try to do my best to help each and every one of my students and their parents to achieve the highest levels of music learning and accomplishment. Excellence is my standard.
A. OBSERVE a lesson with a prospect violin teacher before you sign up. Do not let their hourly rate be the first screening factor. Effective, quality-oriented music teachers with adequate training and experience are not cheap, but are well worth your money, translating in a great experience and proper technique, musicality and music theory learning.
A. I am a Suzuki trained violin teacher and have taken courses every year several times. I am certified to teach Suzuki books levels 1-10 and constantly research better ways to help parents practice with their children. I have written many articles in music education journals and have collaborated with other teachers in educational endeavors.
A. Quality of instruction cannot be overemphasized. Many parents of children looking for violin or viola lessons ask how much lessons cost before they ask anything else. Cost is meaningless if we don’t consider quality, experience and reputation of the teacher first. Money can be easily wasted on teachers who do not have proper training and experience. I don’t care if they charge $1 per lesson. If the student doesn’t learn anything or she learns incorrect instrument technique from the start, then, it is wasted money. The early stages of learning are very important and parents should look for quality in a teacher first.
A. Do NOT purchase a violin before getting a violin teacher. That’s the #1 advise I can give to anyone looking for violin instruction. Your teacher will have a good sense of the size and quality of the required instrument, and maybe some suppliers that consistently provide quality instruments.
The worst thing for a beginning violin student that to play with an inadequate instrument. Having a quality violin will save you tons of aggravation and money (think how long it will take you to make progress when it’s difficult to play a bad instrument).
Quality instruments do cost more… and are well worth the extra money. I have a page about violins on Love Nurtured Music’s website.
A. I can be contacted via email through our Suzuki program’s website, www.LoveNurturedMusic.org. There is an email form in the contact link. They can also contact me by phone at 214-269-8545 during morning hours. I usually teach during the afternoons after kids are out of school and I devote my time to them. Email is the best way, but I will be glad to talk with anyone on the phone when I am not teaching or practicing violin for a performance.
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Dr. Shinichi Suzuki realized two main facts about the natural development of language, which he realized could also be applied to musical education. This influenced his creation and implementation of the Suzuki Method:
For young children, The Suzuki approach is the most natural and simplest method to learn music.
It extends from ear training, and goes beyond the basics to the most intricate aspects of musical expression.
Regardless of your child’s performance level, the principles of the Suzuki Method can bring excitement and progress toward musical excellence.
The Love Nurtured Music Program holds a great commitment to the Suzuki Method philosophy, quality of instruction, and the highest standards of professionalism, with more than 25 years of experience and proven success in music performance and teaching young children.
