At the Aber Suzuki Center (ASC) and American Suzuki Institute (ASI) housed at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, music is a language, and the tradition of a nurturing environment to learn that language is maintained due to years of dedication from longtime Suzuki educator Anne Marie Novak
The Suzuki method is a style of music pedagogy developed in early 20th century Japan by Shinichi Suzuki and is based on the idea that everyone is capable of musical talent with the right direction and an emphasis on ear training. Novak, director of Suzuki programs at UW-Stevens Point, has dedicated her career to teaching music and Suzuki’s philosophy.
What started as embracing challenges led to a passion for fostering young talent. While attending Oberlin College to study piano performance and psychology, she was introduced to the Suzuki methodology and the poise and maturity shown by young pianists. Novak then attended the University of Massachusetts to further her studies in music, taking a position as a Suzuki teaching assistant before starting her own program as an administrator. Wanting to get back to teaching, she found an open position as a piano instructor at the Aber Suzuki Center at UWSP.
“Stevens Point is known around the world for their Suzuki center, I knew I had to go,” Novak said.
The Suzuki programs at UWSP were founded by Margery Aber in 1967. The ASC offers a year-round program that teaches music through private instruction, group classes, chamber coaching and more to hundreds of students from across Central Wisconsin. Beyond musical instruction, the Suzuki method is a philosophy rooted in creating well-rounded individuals with a holistic approach to teaching.
Ann Marie Novak, director of Suzuki programs.
Novak has been with the center for almost 33 years, and in that time has touched the lives of hundreds of students. What makes working with developing musicians special to her is helping them work through musical hurdles and challenges.
“It’s being there for the a-ha moments,” she said. “When you see a look on a kid’s face when they finally overcome something challenging or nail down a new skill, there’s nothing quite like being part of that.”
Amanda Porrey spent years overcoming musical challenges under Novak’s guidance. At 5 years old, she started taking piano lessons at the center and continued until she was 18. Now based in Portland, Ore., Porrey works for a psychiatric emergency hospital and still plays piano in her free time, crediting Novak as her mentor and echoing her love for musical problem solving.
“There was a clear moment when I went from casually learning piano to really wanting to be good at my craft when I was around 12 or 13 years old,” Porrey said. “Ann Marie fostered my enthusiasm while helping me expand my technical skills to learn more difficult piano pieces I didn’t think I could take on. She taught me different ways to approach my practicing at home, and when I got stuck and frustrated, she was there to work me through the problems.”
Porrey is still connected with Novak and the friends she made as an ASC student. For some, including her peers, participation in Suzuki programs at UWSP is a generational affair.
“To this day many of us keep in touch and meet up with her as a testament to the impact she continues to have on our lives well into adulthood,” Porrey said. “She was there guiding us through all our childhood and teenage milestones in addition to helping us grow as musicians and people. Now as an adult, I am honored to watch my friend’s young child grow with his own lessons from her.”
Every summer Suzuki students and educators from around the world gather in the Noel Fine Arts Center for high quality instruction and immersive experiences at ASI, the longest running Suzuki institute outside of Japan. Participants from across the U.S., France, Brazil, Hong Kong and more have come to Stevens Point for instruction, overcoming barriers and proving that music is a universal language.
“I’ve been in rehearsals and had lessons with people who didn’t speak English, and I knew exactly what we were doing because music is universal,” Novak said. “That goes right back to what Suzuki said, we teach it as a language.”
Now less than one month away, Novak is excited to welcome new and returning guests to ASI, including two alumni as featured guest artists. Months of work go in to make the two-week institute a success, and being immersed in the rich cultural experience the institute provides brings her pride and excitement.
“I spend 11 months of the year with my face in the computer. It’s seeing everybody set foot on campus, people of all different ages and backgrounds participating that I look forward to each year,” she said.
The benefits of Suzuki’s philosophy reach beyond a child’s talent as a musician. As a practitioner for several decades, Novak has seen the holistic benefits of a Suzuki education, from socialization to etiquette, and even improved focus in academic settings.
“Students learn how to build a project and continue polishing their work,” Novak said. “In Suzuki you start with a musical phrase, then continue by learning all the notes, phrasing, expression and dynamics of a piece. It allows you to learn focus and concentration, which can help kids in their classroom learning as well.”
Porrey reaped these benefits firsthand and attests to the lasting impacts that having a Suzuki background left her with.
“Music is central to my life and I believe that learning music at a young age is a huge part of that,” Porrey said. “Suzuki gave me a strong foundation in musical skills, active listening, discipline, confidence and gave me a community to grow with. I am grateful to have been part of the Suzuki family, and I would recommend this experience to any parent with a child.”
The ability to provide high quality instrumental education in Central Wisconsin, with access to UW-Stevens Point renowned facilities, has allowed Suzuki programs to stand the test of time. Novak has seen people relocate to Stevens Point knowing that this quality extracurricular space would be available to their children.
“It really is the best kept secret in Stevens Point,” she said. “When people interview at the university, we know it’s one of the things they look at, and I know of several people who have taken jobs in the area because this is here for their kids. This program is valuable to our community.”
The American Suzuki Institute will return for two week-long sessions, July 20-25 and July 27- August 1. Registration is still open for residential and non-residential programs. For more information on ASI at UW-Stevens Point visit uwsp.edu/american-suzuki-institute/general-information/.
The Aber Suzuki Center offers lessons and group classes for children and adults in the areas of Suzuki Early Childhood Education, violin, viola, cello, bass, voice, piano, guitar, harp, chamber music and orchestra. The ASC is the oldest Suzuki program in the state, and one of the few in the nation affiliated with a university. For more information on year-round Suzuki programs visit uwsp.edu/suzuki/aber-suzuki-center/.
