Child—Parent—Teacher: When the Suzuki Triangle Comes Full Circle

October 7, 2021 By Robert Cinnante, President South Shore Conservatory

As I step on stage to speak before the start of a South Shore Conservatory student performance, I remind myself to always thank two groups—the faculty, and the parents. Drawing from personal experience, I know the formative role that family  support plays in a child’s musical development. As an SSC parent turned SSC instructor, Guitar Faculty Member Brian Effinger embodies both groups.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Morningside College, and a certification in Audio Engineering from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences. But it was not until he had children, and his wife encouraged Suzuki instruction for their young daughter, that Brian paid much attention to this teaching method. Suzuki is a music curriculum and teaching philosophy based on the belief that, “Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited.”

After relocating to the Greater Boston area from the West Coast, Brian and his wife were eager for their daughter to continue with the Suzuki method. They tried out several programs, finally finding the right fit at SSC, and eventually enrolled both of their children. Brian said they were attracted to SSC’s warm and welcoming environment, rooted in a family-focused atmosphere, with a high calibre of faculty.

Inspired by his experience as a parent, Brian set out on a journey to becoming a certified Suzuki
instructor, with training that included Hartt Suzuki Institute and Los Angeles Suzuki Institute.

For Brian, it is the requisite parent involvement that sets the Suzuki method apart. According to Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, founder of the method, “The destiny of children lies in the hands of their parents.” This is often referred to as the Suzuki Triangle, and represents the relationship between child, parent, and teacher. Brian has witnessed the effectiveness of this equilibrium first-hand, as both a parent and teacher.

Things have now come full circle for Brian, who joined South Shore Conservatory’s faculty this fall. He enjoys helping students to have fun, while showing them that consistent focused practice with clear goals is the key to success. In addition to his focus on private Suzuki instruction, Brian also offers traditional private and group guitar instruction, as well as rock ensemble classes through SSC’s Jazz Rock Pop (JRP) program.

To learn more about Suzuki instruction, and all that South Shore Conservatory has to offer to students of all ages, visit sscmusic.org.

Sponsored by South Shore Conservatory.