“Musical ability is not an inborn talent
but an ability that can be developed”
Shinichi Suzuki
About the studio
The Rotterdam Suzuki Piano Studio is dedicated to people of all musical levels that wish to learn piano and music. The lessons are conducted in English, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese and are open to people of all ages.
The studio is specialized in the Suzuki method but also offers traditional style lessons and Skype lessons. You can find more information in the dedicated sections.
The teacher
Dario Virgillito / About
Dario has got more than 15 years’ experience teaching piano to people of all level and ages. He holds a summa cum laude Piano performance MA from Italy and has followed extensive training in early childhood education in London, Rome and Bruxelles. He is prize winner in more than 20 piano competitions and has performed in Europe and South America. He is specialized in teaching with the Suzuki method but also integrates his lessons with other creative approaches like Orff-Schulwerk and Dalcroze. He is piano teacher at the Nord Anglia International School of Rotterdam.
Beside the classical music and pedagogy path he is now broadening his musical knowledge studying Latin Jazz at Rotterdam Conservatory, CODARTS.
Education
- Master of Music (MA) in Classical Piano /
IMVB – Istituto Superiore di Studi Musicali, Catania - Diploma in Classical Piano Performance (BA) /
IMVB – Istituto Superiore di Studi Musicali, Catania - Suzuki Piano Teacher Diploma – Level 3 /
BSI – British Suzuki Institute, London - Orff-Schulwerk Teacher Certificate /
CDM – CDM and Università “Tor Vergata”, Rome - Dalcroze Education Certificate /
Institute de Rythmique Jaques-Dalcroze de Belgique - Piano Technique Master Certificate /
UNISOB – Università “Suor Orsola Benincasa”, Napoli
Video
Performing:
R. Schumann – Abegg Variation op. 1
Teaching:
If you are interested in seeing Suzuki group lessons videos feel free to contact us and we’ll send you a private youtube link.
Suzuki method
The Suzuki method is based on the educational philosophy developed in Japan by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. With this method children learn a musical instrument in the same way they learn their mother tongue: through the creation of an enabling environment.
Suzuki based his approach on the belief that “Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited” (S. Suzuki).
In Suzuki method is ideal an early start, 3 or 4 years old, but is never too late to begin. In the same way children learn first to speak and then to read their own language, very young pupils learn by listening and from demonstration first; the printed music will be later introduced when they can already play fluently, with a beautiful sound and good technique.
The involvement of the parents is essential in the Suzuki process. Parents don’t need to be musician but are expected to attend the lessons. They will be carefully guided to create the right musical environment at home and to supervise their children in the daily practice.
In addition to the individual lessons, children will take part in group lessons where they learn from and are motivated by each other. Here they’ll also get used to perform in front of others. Other performing opportunities will be given by the teacher at the end of term concerts or at events organized by the Suzuki Association of the Netherlands (Suzuki Vereniging Nederland SVN) and other European Suzuki Associations.
Traditional lessons
Traditional style lessons are offered to adults and teens but also to children whose parents cannot take the commitment to be present during the class and follow the Suzuki method.
We advice a minimum of 60 minutes lesson per week for adults and children above 8 years old, and 30 or 45 minutes for children below that age. During the classes will be used a blend of the most innovative teaching practices and the traditional teaching techniques of great masters.
The lessons will be tailored considering each student musical needs and aspirations. They also include sight reading, improvisation techniques and western music theory.
Skype lessons
Skype piano lessons are a good solution for people with busy schedules or people that can’t find the right teacher in their area.
The lessons are conducted using softwares like Skype or FaceTime and have both advantages and disadvantages if compared with traditional teaching where the teacher and the student are in the same room. To name just some of them:
- Pros: take lessons with a teacher you trust even if is not in your area, save lot of travel time; practice immediately after the lessons when ideas are still fresh and attention is high; easily record the lesson or part of it; play on your own instrument; warm up before the lesson.
- Cons: not being able to play together with the teacher; need to have good speakers for a better sound quality; teacher can’t touch student’s fingers; need to have a reliable internet connection.
Our studio has already got many successful Skype students around the world and has a wide experience in managing and solving most of the disadvantages that arise from not being physically in the same room during the lesson.
Thanks to the new technologies online lessons and music making are always more common and are a research topic at top universities in the world.
What people say
Dario introduced our family to the Suzuki method where parents are closely involved with the learning of the children. We immediately loved the friendly attitude of Dario as a teacher. I was pleasantly surprised how well attuned Dario was to small children and their style of learning. The lessons were extremely lovely and fun and my son was always looking forward to them. Dario showed his creativity in organizing those sessions bringing out the best in each child but at the same time keeping those sessions light and humorous
Dario is an extremely gifted piano teacher. My seven-year old daughter had no previous knowledge of the instrument when Dario started to teach her the piano. He gave her many opportunities to perform in group lessons as well as in Suzuki concerts and events. She played at many different venues including The Royal Academy of Music and Regent Hall. This increased her confidence and motivation to practise more and more.
Contact
For more information about the Suzuki method, traditional and Skype lessons, availability or to meet the teacher feel free to write to:
Email
virgillitodario@gmail.com
Rotterdam Suzuki Piano Studio 