History
Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong (SMAHK) is the creation of passionate educators dedicated to bringing the very best in early childhood and instrumental music education to Hong Kong. Founded in 2006 as KinderU Suzuki Music Academy, Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong (SMAHK) was the first internationally certified Suzuki centre in the region.
Over its long history, our Suzuki community has grown from 15 students to 150, becoming one of the premier music schools in Hong Kong. Students from SMAHK’s inaugural group of beginning students are looking toward the end of their secondary studies. Our students attend a wide range of local and international schools, where the joy of learning that they have developed allows them to participate successfully in music, sports and academic programmes. Students also participate in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and various Music Festivals throughout Hong Kong and worldwide.
What is the difference between Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong and others of the myriad of music schools around Hong Kong?
The difference is that our focus is on building the character of our children through the study of music, rather than pushing them to examination and certificates. We believe that music should be learned for the sake of music and developing the joy of learning, and those that are able should share their gifts and talents as a service to the community. SMAHK students perform frequently, in both formal and informal settings throughout Hong Kong. Students have twice been invited to perform with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
Community Service
SMAHK has a strong belief in, and an ongoing commitment to, service to others. This is illustrated throughout our programming: refugee families of Branches of Hope are included in our early childhood Music Play program; in our instrumental program, students participate in “practiceathons” which raise monies used to help children whose lives are impacted by natural disasters throughout the world; we routinely provide opportunities for children to share their music with others by performing at elderly homes, as well as annual participation in larger events such as the Oxfam Musical Marathon.
MusiCares is our Secondary student outreach team. Student-led, this ongoing program participates in both performance and volunteer efforts in support of initiatives they feel are important. Some of their activities have included: typhoon clean-up, book drives to help NURTURE build libraries in the Philippines, making kindness mats and participating in a Kindness Walk with ImpactHK, Ma Wan Easter Egg Hunt to benefit Branches of Hope, performances benefitting Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation, and performances at the Home of Loving Faithfulness. In 2018, MusiCares was asked to present at the Suzuki Association of the Americas Bi-Annual conference to educate teachers from throughout North and South America about student-led community service.
Stronger Families
In addition to building character through music, Suzuki aims to build stronger families. Parents come to all lessons with the children and learn how to play the instrument alongside them. Parents are also the “home teacher”, and guide the daily home practice sessions. This helps strengthen relationships through the mutual pursuit of learning, loving and creating beautiful music. As one parent says: “Everyone is talking about how to spend quality time with your children in your busy schedule. I found Suzuki violin has provided us with the best quality time ever. My son cherishes the special moments he spends with me while we are practicing violin together.”
Academy Schedule
Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong offers Fall and Spring terms which generally follow the ESF calendar, and a flexible summer term. We offer instrumental instruction in cello, piano, viola, and violin, as well as an Early Childhood Music Education program based on Gordon Music Learning Theory.
All of SMAHK faculty are active members of the International Suzuki Association (ISA), Asia Region Suzuki Association (ARSA), Suzuki Talent Education Society of Hong Kong (STESHK) and Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA). Those who are eligible are also members of Talent Education Research Institute (TERI). These memberships have allowed SMAHK families to have the opportunity to participate in conferences and institutes throughout the world, including Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand United Kingdom, United States as well as joining with other STESHK families for events in Hong Kong.