Jonathan Reaoch, director of the Twin Cities String Academy, moved to Minneapolis in 2008 with the intention of developing a string music program in the Twin Cities. Through many years of study and research, he became convinced that a person’s talent in music is the result, not mainly of genetics, but of education. And, by synthesizing the most successful educational methods, gathered from the gre
atest teachers, he formed an approach to teaching violin, which he believes can inspire musical talent in any student.The Twin Cities String Academy is now a growing and energetic community of families dedicated to giving their children the gift of talent and fine character through excellent music education. Guided by a parent for the first several years, TCSA students practice violin daily at home. Daily practice is a valuable time for the parent and child to connect, overcome obstacles together, and share in the joy of learning. In the beginning stages, the daily practice assignment may only take 30 minutes to complete. As the student progresses and develops a larger attention span, the practice time increases. CURRICULUM
Our curriculum is based on the Suzuki Method, traditional methods, and Alexander Technique.
- Suzuki observed that children learn to speak their native language with amazing success – perfectly reproducing the authentic accent. He demonstrated that, by applying the “mother-tongue method” (immersion, listening, imitation, and close parental guidance) to violin playing, the same level of success is possible.
- Traditional music education develops music literacy and technique through scales, etudes, sight-singing, rhythm games, and a broad range of musical styles.
- The Alexander Technique develops healthy physical coordination, enabling students to play the violin with ease and preventing students from incurring misuse injuries, so common among musicians. IMMERSION
As is the case with spoken language, music is learned most effectively through immersion. Families in the TCSA create an environment of musical immersion by:
1. Listening to assigned recordings several times a day (in the background during household activities, while driving in the car, etc.)
2. Listening to other fine violin recordings in the family’s music collection
3. Attending concerts (The Twin Cities is fortunate to have two world-class orchestras – The Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. These are environmental sources of talent. By creating musical immersion, families are giving their children the gift of talent. TCSA students receive weekly individual lessons in which new skills are introduced and old skills are refined. Beginning students receive 30-minute lessons, and as they progress, the lesson time increases accordingly. INDIVIDUAL LESSONS
During individual lessons, the parent learns how to guide the student in daily practice at home. The parent does not need to have any prior musical knowledge, as all the necessary information will be covered in the lesson. One of the main goals of the TCSA curriculum is for students to learn how to learn. Over time, as students develop reliable technique and problem-solving skills, their growing independence is encouraged and less direct parental guidance is needed. OBSERVATION
Each week, TCSA students observe the individual lesson of at least one other student. This is a valuable time for students to see the learning process from a different perspective, gain motivation, and discover new insights to make practice more effective. GROUP REHEARSALS
On Saturday mornings, the entire String Academy community comes together for group rehearsals. As we prepare for group performances, students develop the skills of playing violin in an ensemble, leading a group, and following a leader. Group rehearsals also reinforce skills learned in individual lessons, such as musicality, tone production, music reading and music theory. Saturday mornings are an opportunity for students and families to build a community based on trust in which they encourage, advise, motivate, and support each other in their common endeavors. PERFORMANCES
Performing is an essential part of musical development and is a powerful gift to society. TCSA students perform in frequent solo recitals, group concerts, and special events such as Family Day at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and pop-up concerts at the Midtown Global Market. Every year students have the opportunity to graduate from one or more levels of the Suzuki Method and perform with their peers from across Minnesota. Students are also encouraged to create their own performance opportunities - performing in schools, faith communities, nursing homes, or giving concerts for friends and family.
