It’s Camp, but not as we know it

by Ann Packer

It’s not about how many notes you can play, nor about passing exams, says Suzuki music teacher Jenni Champion. “It’s all about finding the fun.”

The Days Bay teacher, who teaches in her home studio, is a member of the New Zealand Suzuki Institute, a group of teachers and families who come together for their annual Summer Camp at Rathkeale College.

The camp is open to pupils from as young as 3 years old (“pre-twinklers”) to Year 13 learning violin, piano, cello and guitar by the Suzuki Method. It is a six-day joyful celebration of music.

The event has managed to go ahead even through Covid, although this year was the first in three years that overseas tutors could come.

“The children and their parents work hard all year – this is a celebration for kids and what they’ve achieved. It’s a huge amount of fun.”

Belgian violinist Köen Rens, and violinist Helene Pohl and cellist Rolf Gjelsten from the NZ String Quartet were among the tutors, which also included a mother and child from Perth and other Australians.

All up, there were about 140 kids who study violin, cello, piano and guitar – with parents and siblings, a total of 440 happy campers.

The camp is run by the Wellington branch of the NZ Suzuki Institute whose founder Dr Suzuki said: “Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens, noble human beings.”

An important part of the philosophy is the involvement and support of parents to ensure