For the very first time in Cuba, the “SUZUKI” method is being taught. The “SUZUKI” method is a music education concept, named after its founder and violin teacher Shinichi Suzuki, that enables young children, age three and up, to participate in music lessons. The most striking difference between the “SUZUKI” method and other teaching methods is its” mother tongue method”. The “mother tongue method” encourages the children to memorizing through listening, observing, and imitating music. For the time being, the children do not have to learn to read musical notes. The “SUZUKI” method attaches special importance to the intensive involvement of a parent who guides the child’s practice at home, the systematic development of a fixed musical repertoire developed by Suzuki, and the special form of lessons that equally weigh individual participation and supplementary group play.

The initiative was launched in spring 2017 under the leadership of the “SUZUKI” teacher coach, Agathe Jerie, as well as through other internationally renowned Suzuki teacher coaches, who hosted volunteer seminars.  Ever since, committed Cuban music teachers have continued to implement the “SUZUKI” method.

Through this project, 25 children per week can participate in the individual lessons at the music conservatory “Esteban Salas” in Santiago de Cuba. 6 trained Cuban music teachers or “SUZUKI” teacher coaches supervise the project. The lessons are free of charge for the children. During the first two years, the teachers apply the “SUZUKI” method for violin and choir singing. In due course, the teachers consider an extension to other instruments.

The Cuban Department of Culture of Santiago de Cuba provides both the teaching facilities at the music conservatory and the music teachers. Camaquito covers costs of materials, training, and education for the transition of traditional Cuban music teachers to “SUZUKI” teacher coaches.