John D. Kendall
Encyclopedia
John D. Kendall was a leader in bringing the Suzuki Method
to the United States. In 1955 he was presented with a grant to travel to Japan to meet Shinichi Suzuki
and translate his ideas and teachings into a philosophy and pedagogy for violin teachers around the U.S.
An internationally acclaimed string pedagogue, Mr. Kendall taught violin at the college level for more than 50 years and was largely responsible for bringing the Suzuki Method to the United States. Mr. Kendall received his undergraduate degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music
in 1939, and earned a master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University
.
In 1959, he spent three months in Japan observing Dr. Suzuki and his students, and returned for further study in 1962. Mr. Kendall planned the first US Suzuki conference in 1963, and organized the first Suzuki tour of the US. Dr. Suzuki and 10 students toured 19 cities in 21 days. This tour captured the attention of audiences everywhere and introduced the Suzuki Method to the US. A 1997 news article quoted Carol Smith, a colleague of John Kendall, as saying "It took someone with incredible energy, charisma, and communication skills to spread the word about the Suzuki method. That someone was John Kendall."
Currently, it is estimated that more than 350,000 children are learning according to Suzuki principles on violin, viola, cello, piano, guitar, flute, recorder, harp and bass. There is a Suzuki preschool, and the body of literature for Suzuki Parent Education continues to grow.
John Kendall directed the SIUE program until his retirement in 1994.
Suzuki method
The Suzuki method is a method of teaching music that emerged in the mid-20th century.-Background:The Suzuki Method was conceived in the mid-20th century by Shin'ichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist who desired to bring beauty to the lives of children in his country after the devastation of World War II...
to the United States. In 1955 he was presented with a grant to travel to Japan to meet Shinichi Suzuki
Shinichi Suzuki
was the inventor of the international Suzuki method of music education. Considered an influential and controversial pedagogue, he often spoke of the ability of all children to learn things well, in the right environment.- Biography :...
and translate his ideas and teachings into a philosophy and pedagogy for violin teachers around the U.S.
An internationally acclaimed string pedagogue, Mr. Kendall taught violin at the college level for more than 50 years and was largely responsible for bringing the Suzuki Method to the United States. Mr. Kendall received his undergraduate degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Oberlin Conservatory of Music
The Oberlin Conservatory of Music, located on the campus of Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, was founded in 1865 and is the oldest continuously operating conservatory in the United States. Students of Oberlin Conservatory enter a very broad network within the music world, as the school's alumni...
in 1939, and earned a master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University is a graduate school of education located in New York City, New York...
.
In 1959, he spent three months in Japan observing Dr. Suzuki and his students, and returned for further study in 1962. Mr. Kendall planned the first US Suzuki conference in 1963, and organized the first Suzuki tour of the US. Dr. Suzuki and 10 students toured 19 cities in 21 days. This tour captured the attention of audiences everywhere and introduced the Suzuki Method to the US. A 1997 news article quoted Carol Smith, a colleague of John Kendall, as saying "It took someone with incredible energy, charisma, and communication skills to spread the word about the Suzuki method. That someone was John Kendall."
Currently, it is estimated that more than 350,000 children are learning according to Suzuki principles on violin, viola, cello, piano, guitar, flute, recorder, harp and bass. There is a Suzuki preschool, and the body of literature for Suzuki Parent Education continues to grow.
John Kendall directed the SIUE program until his retirement in 1994.
External links
See also
- Suzuki methodSuzuki methodThe Suzuki method is a method of teaching music that emerged in the mid-20th century.-Background:The Suzuki Method was conceived in the mid-20th century by Shin'ichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist who desired to bring beauty to the lives of children in his country after the devastation of World War II...