Young Musicians Give “Thanks” to Central Washington University

The sound of 300 children playing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on string instruments recently filled a Seattle concert hall. The performance was a culmination of weeks of learning and practicing their art at the Japan Seattle Suzuki Institute. As the young musicians stood in preparation for their performance, they—along with their parents and teachers—turned to a video camera to share a special message:

“Thank you, Central Washington University!”

Watch the video.

The gratitude expressed was for CWU’s sponsorship of the 2016 Washington-Japan Suzuki Institute. CWU and the Williams O. Douglas Honors College (DHC) served as J1 Visa hosts for the visiting Japanese faculty. The sponsorship also provided connections for the DHC students to experience the Suzuki method of teaching and learning.

Central has a long relationship with Suzuki teachers of music, having hosted the Washington festival for years. Mathematics professor Dominic Klyve has offered classes at the Suzuki Institute, teaching mathematics and music as well as juggling. He’s also been joined by a number of Suzuki-trained CWU music professors who’ve taught music at past institutes.

This synergetic partnership bridges young musicians and Suzuki faculty with CWU’s accomplished programs in music and study abroad & exchange.

CWU is pleased to support this teaching-learning institute and welcomes the Suzuki Association of Washington State to the Ellensburg campus for its Fall Suzuki Festival on October 7 and 8, 2016.

Media contact: Dawn Alford, public affairs coordinator, 509-963-1484, dawn.alford@cwu.edu.

September 30, 2016