By Christy Hodder, Expert Music Educator www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You know how sometimes you watch a child at the piano and they're doing this awkward thing where they refuse to let their left hand cross over to the right side of the keyboard? Or maybe you've noticed your violin student gets all tangled up when they try to bow across different strings? Well, there's actually a really fascinating reason behind this, and once you understand it, so many things about children and wha

By Christy Hodder, Expert Music Educator www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You asked for it, and here it is again! Last summer's punch card system was such a hit with families that we're bringing it back for another round. Your children loved the excitement of punching their cards, and you loved seeing their confidence bloom as they prepared for our annual Suzuki play-in to kick off the new school year at Scotia Suzuki School - and I'll share it with you too! Easy, convenient and ready to

By Christy Hodder, Expert Music Educator www.ScotiaSuzuki.org Summer is here and halfway gone, and I know many of you are enjoying your well-deserved relaxation and fun. However, keeping up with your musical practice is also important. Even though regular lessons might pause for a few months, keeping routine and practicing habits can make a huge difference when you return to lessons in the fall. Here’s how to keep the momentum going and make practice enjoyable during the rest

Make music practice fun this holiday with this creative Santa's beard activity! A hands-on way to help your child work through their practice list with the festivities.

Halloween is almost here! Check out spooky music practice activity and upcoming events at Scotia Suzuki School in Halifax. Get ready for musical fun!

Make music practice time fun with these creative games and flash card activities! Engaging ideas to motivate your child and transform daily practice into playtime.

Stay motivated through music practice challenge! Sign up and download the free chart and keep your young musician practicing.

Keep guilt-free music practice going during the holidays! Simple strategies to maintain momentum during busy seasons without adding stress to your family.

School opened on Monday with a Lesson / Practice activity to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II Reflecting on the life of Queen Elizabeth II this past week. I have created a blog with a few of my thoughts on five of her strengths that have inspired me. I’ll also deliver these thoughts on a Facebook live on Monday morning at 11 am AST. I have also created a free PDF practicing activity for you tomorrow at your home practice and I have prepared one for each Monday student to use at

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE “Gratefulness is a learned behaviour.” -Rick Bisio Rick Bisio happens to be one of the most respected franchise consultants in the United States, so listen up! “Gratefulness is a learned behaviour.” -Rick Bisio One of Dr. Suzuki’s fundamental philosophies is, “Ability can be learned.” This goes for showing gratitude and appreciation for the things given and done for us. Being a g

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE On Sept 8th, 2022, the world’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, died aged 96. She was a symbol of steadfast courage and hope. I grew up with a Queen I know as “Queen Elizabeth.” We can learn many things from Queen Elizabeth II and her life. When I decided to do a Blog and activity in honour of her at our school, I started by taking out a piece of paper and writing down

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE We all know that eating well is healthy. Exercising and getting fresh air in nature is also good for you. Listening to good music and making music is also an incredible thing for our minds and our spirits and even has physical benefits. Nature and fresh air also help your health in so many ways. Let's have some fun today and play the first words that pop into your head when I say

I want to share with you a brand new practicing activity this Summer - paper planes! Children love paper planes and it’s something you can do whether it’s sunny outside or not.

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org Read the Blog HERE and get your FREE "Get to Know You" Easter practice activity. You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE where I share some family Easter traditions I had with my own children growing up. Who doesn't like to look through a basket of colorful Easter eggs and choose one to open to see what's inside? This is one of my favorite practice activities. It can be done at anytime throughout the year, but I like to s

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org Read the Blog HERE and get your FREE African Safari Practicing (5 of 6) Adventures. You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE where I share part 5 of how I happened to find myself suddenly teaching music one day in a remote Kipsigis village in Kenya 6 years ago! This time I am sharing what I taught the children in the village. It's time to release level FIVE of the "African Safari Practicing Adventure", and with it - some m

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org Read the Blog HERE and get your FREE African Safari Practicing Adventure (4 of 6). It's time to release level FOUR of the "African Safari Practicing Adventure". To get the awards and activities for all of the previous levels, and not miss the last two, you can join here and I'll email them all to you. JOIN HERE If you have finished level THREE and are ready for your award and to proceed on to the next adventure - level FOUR: Hu

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You can watch / listen to the Live HERE about today's topic. Read the Blog HERE and get access to the FREE African Safari Practicing (1 of 6) Adventures. I also share stories about teaching music in Kenya in each of the lives. For today: It’s a natural feeling to want to be a perfect parent. You love your children so much and you want to give them the very best in their life, including, perhaps most importantly, the best vers

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org Read the Blog HERE and get your FREE first African Safari Practicing (1 of 6) Adventures. You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE where I share HOW I happened to find myself teaching music in a remote Kipsigis village quite suddenly one day 6 years ago! Hello practicing parents and teachers, It's time to release level TWO of the "African Safari Practicing Adventure"! You have finished level ONE and are ready for your a

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org Read the Blog HERE and get your FREE first African Safari Practicing (1 of 6) Adventures. You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE where I share HOW I happened to find myself teaching music in a remote Kipsigis village quite suddenly one day 6 years ago! Link to join the email list so that you don't miss any of the 6 adventures. Did you know that I have traveled to Africa twice to teach music in a little school in Nairobi