Sharing the Gift of Music

This program was put together by one of our board members, Sharolee Zippro, and focused on the value and importance of music training for both teachers and students. Sharolee explains, “while living in Lithuania, I saw a strong people who had been cut down by occupation after occupation. The Lithuanian culture, like so many others, is suppressed and persecuted. The people need to be bolstered and buoyed up in order to regain their culture. Music, being a universal language, is one of the best ways to influence the next generation [to reclaim their culture and rise above that suppression].”

Our program in Lithuania worked with the local Suzuki chapter. The Suzuki method of teaching music provides a high-quality, structured music program for children and training for teachers. While in Lithuania, we helped host workshops for teacher trainings. These trainings helped teach Suzuki methods and showed the music teachers how the Suzuki method can revitalize their communities. This program helped strengthen the small Suzuki program in Lithuania, which in turn is helping the children there to develop Dr. Suzuki’s vision of a beautiful heart.

“Investment in the training of Lithuanian Suzuki teachers is a direct and sure investment in the future of the Lithuanian children. Beautiful Heart has made a very important and valuable contribution to the development of the Lithuanian Suzuki Teachers. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for what you do for our children!” - Koen Rens, Violinist, Teacher Trainer for the European Suzuki Association, former Chairman of the ESA and President of the Talent Education Suzuki Institute Belgium