Letter from President Nicole Macias

Welcome to the Suzuki Association of Utah

I began playing the violin as a Suzuki student of the late Hiroko Primrose, and started teaching when I was 14. I’m a work from home mom, homeschool mom, custodial step-mom, wife, daughter, friend, and sister. I understand what it’s like to try and coerce your child to practice when they are too tired to think. I understand what it’s like to try and convince your husband that listening to Suzuki recordings in the car is preferable to Def Leppard. I understand how hard it is to make sure your work gets done around all the craziness of busy teenagers. I know what it’s like when your children are asked to learn a song to play in church at the last minute. I also know what it’s like to be the violin student and dislike practicing SOOOO much you will do just about anything to get out of it.

Long story short, I feel like I can relate to most of you. I know how hard it is to be a Suzuki parent, and sometimes, how hard it is to be a Suzuki teacher. I know that the world our children are growing up in is sometimes a scary place, and it’s not the same as it once was.

With all of that in my life, why on earth would I agree to take on the Presidency of the Suzuki Association of Utah? As hard as it is sometimes, I feel that there is a real value in teaching our kids to work hard for something that is inherently difficult. A lot of life skills are learned through music lessons, and while I teach music for the sake of the music, I won’t deny that a lot of why our students learn music is for the life skills and brain development that it offers. I feel that the Suzuki Association as an organization is valuable, and that we need to take care of the things we value.

I also believe that sometimes we over-complicate things without meaning to, and most of us don’t have time for things that are over-complicated. I would like to help try and simplify, yet also enhance everyone’s experience with the Suzuki Association of Utah. I’m hoping to streamline some of the procedures for the teachers. I’m hoping, with the help of the Board, to offer parents a wealth of information about how to make practicing easier and more enjoyable, and therefore a more enjoyable experience overall. I also hope to help pave the way for the next generation of Suzuki teachers and students, and help them get to know the work of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.

I am open to suggestions and would love your thoughts and feedback. Feel free to email me anytime at president@suzukimusicutah.org. I look forward to serving this organization and working with you!