Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong

"Music Exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart" ~Shinichi Suzuki

Reflections from the Performers: Angie and Emily

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Emily and Angie performed their Book 4 cello recital, assisted by Ms. Shoko on piano. They did some of the rehearsal preparation independently, and some with Ms. Sandra and Ms. Shoko. Here are their thoughts about the experience:

~from Angie

I am glad to have book 4 recital last Saturday. Thank you for coming. 

I’m very very nervous throughout the whole performance, my heart beat was more than 100 per minute (usually I am 80 something).

In my first piece Sonata in E minor by Marcello, I thought I was playing well with dynamics, however I was so nervous, I forgot to play with all vibrato.

For the second piece, Minuets in G major by J S Bach, the phrase was not clear enough and my dynamics should be more clear. Overall I think this one was average. I should be more confident while playing this piece.

While I am playing with Emily, I thought we did a good job. Most of the notes were clear and with dynamics. 

Finally I thought I did a great job in this recital. Next time I will do it better.

Thank you very much. 

~from Emily

I enjoyed playing in the  recital with Angie and I felt very good after doing it because it felt like a good goal to have completed . I think that Angie and Ms Shoko did very well and I’m very glad that I wasn’t playing all the pieces myself, partly because it ( as Ms Sandra said) was like running a marathon while playing Breval. Altogether I think that the recital went very well. 

Reflections from the Performers: Anais, Ayden and Lauren

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Lauren, Anais and Ayden joined together to give their Book 1 violin recital. Here are their thoughts about the experience:

from Lauren

First I was nervous but once I played it more smoothly I got more confident and I played it better.

I can improve more on following Aidan the leader and making Gavotte more staccato.

I enjoyed playing the songs I learned with my partners. What’s special about the recital is I can show my hard work and now I moved on to book two.

from Anais

First of all, I would like to say that the experience is unforgettable because the rehearsals were fun but involve a lot of hard work. The rehearsal and recital were also a great opportunity to learn how to follow and cooperate with others through the music. This recital was about Ayden, Lauren and I so when I was late a few times, I learnt that you have to make sacrifices because you are not the only person involved.

All the practices for the Book 1 recital also taught me that you do not just pass and interest others by only enjoying but by dedicating hard work into this.

The recital had begin with an extremely nervous feeling. My hands and legs were shaking uncontrollably which almost made my bow fall from my legs between my pieces. Slowly, as the recital almost reached the end, the relief had taken over and I was no longer sweating like crazy. When we finally last played Gavotte, I felt extremely comfortable with following Ayden because I finally realised that there would be nothing to worry about.

In conclusion, I would like to say that this Book 1 Recital experience has taught me many things. I really enjoyed this and found interesting. The main essentials to this experience are cooperation, teamwork…and fun.

I would also like to thank Ms Diane for helping and devoting her time and Ms Yuko because she fortunately replaced Ms Shoko when sick and accompanied our recital with the piano.

from Ayden

I thought my book 1 recital was only need to play a few songs on my own and a few songs with my partners at all. However, I knew I need to do more than I thought during the first rehearsal. I actually have a few roles to accomplish during my book 1 recital. I need to perform as a follower, solo performer and also a leader! Wow!


As a follower, I managed to follow my leader, Lauren all the time while we were playing twinkle variations together. 


As I played my solo, I started with a little nervous. I didn’t play as good as I normally did at first. However, I paid more attention from my third solo with using my thumb and elbow energy as well as dynamics that Ms Diane always reminds me. I then felt more confident and enjoy to perform more.
As a leader, I was leading Anais and Lauren to play Gossec Gavotte to end the recital. I felt a bit nervous since I need to remember all big cues to lead my partners so that we are able to play well altogether.  After the recital, my mom told me that she was proud of my accomplishment as a leader even though I knew I played a few mistakes. 


I have been practicing book 1 song everyday, so I felt so delighted to play successfully in my first violin book recital. Now, I have more confident to my future violin journey. 

Reflections from the Performer: Hanson and Yuzuna

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On 30 March, Hanson and Yuzuna gave their Book 1 Piano Recital. Here are their thoughts about the experience.

from Hanson

I was completed book 1 a year ago. During the year, I have been practicing almost every book 1 song everyday. Therefore, I felt so confident and excited to perform on my recital day.

On the recital day,  I  was performed happily with my partner Yuzuna. We have got many clapping hands from our audience.

I enjoy listening to my partner’s solo and I also enjoy to play my solo songs too. Even though we both made mistakes while we were playing, we still support each other. After the recital, I cheered her up by giving her chocolate as treat. 

I can’t wait to have my book 2 recital someday!

from Yuzuna

I was happy because clapping.
I was happy because the sound was good.
I was happy because I was fun.
I was happy because I enjoyed.
I was happy because I missed “Long Long ago” and “allegretto1” but I played  whole songs.


Bach in the Subway

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This year’s Bach in the Subway performance was a huge success!

On Saturday, 23 March, over 80 students from KSMA, along with friends from HKSMI and 11 teachers (!) joined together at the Stanley Amphitheatre to celebrate the 334th anniversary of the birth of JS Bach. There were more than 130 students and teachers performing together!

Most of the repertoire performed was pieces composed by JS Bach. The only exception was Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The Twinkle Variations served as the music for our entrance and exit parades; even then, Bach was present because he led the parade! We also played Happy Birthday to Bach, just before the ending parade.

Students have been very excited to comment about the experience.

“I really loved the parade”

“I thought the dance was the most fun”

“It was really disappointing that we didn’t get to play the Bach Double”

While we were sad that the Amphitheatre’s busy schedule made it so that our performance had to be cut short, we were thrilled with the huge audience, and relieved that we were able to end the parade back inside of Murray House without rain damage to any of the instruments.

*If any parents have great video from a parade, please share it with Ms. Lan. The international Bach in the Subways organisation would love to have it!

We’re already planning for next year’s Bach in the Subway celebration! #BachforthePeople



Reflection from the Performer: Emma To ~ Pre-Mozart Recital

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by Emma To

I feel that I did well on my Pre-Mozart recital, but I could have been better. On Romanian Folk Dances, I could have done a better job with the tone and technique in the sixth movement and the first movement. Also, in Sovenir de Sarasate, I could have done a better job at memorizing the piece. I made mistakes in the part before the left hand plucking, and I forgot and panicked, then I made a mistake. Most of the mistakes I made were because I panicked and made a mistake in the fingering, or bowing. Next time, I should memorize my part well and try to also memorise my fingerings.

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