Teacher Spotlight on Cecilia Ham, cello
August 11th, 2016
Cecilia Ham joined MIC in 2011.
What led you to become a Suzuki teacher?
During my years at Northwestern University, I took a Suzuki Pedagogy class. It was amazing to hear young students performing with a beautiful sound. The following year, I started to take teacher training courses with Nell Novak and Gilda Barston. I love the Suzuki triangle where the parents, teacher and student work together to achieve their musical and personal growth.
Which of your teachers inspired you the most? What aspects of their teaching have you integrated into your own style?
All of my teachers have influenced me. They taught me to be firm and direct while showing my students how much I care for them. I feel that the most integral part of teaching is building a trusting relationship with students and their families.
What is your favorite piece to teach?
My favorite piece to teach is the Breval Sonata in Book 4. In this piece, we get to apply all of the techniques we have learned from previous books while learning many new skills. I love seeing my students work out the trills, chords and musical expression.
Now that you are a teacher, if you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself when you were a student?
I would like to emphasize practicing slowly and in small sections. I realized how important it is to listen to yourself as you play. Open your ears to listen!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I like to work on my vegetable garden. This year we have lettuce, arugula, kale, tomatoes, zucchini, chives, basil, strawberries, and blueberries. During hot days, I like to spend time at the pool with my family. I also like to find new places to visit and meet up with my friends.
Do you play any other instruments besides the cello? If not, what other instrument would you like to play?
I play a little bit of piano. I wish I had continued with my piano lessons so that I would be able to accompany my students when they perform. I would love to go back one day and take piano lesson like many adult students do at the Music Institute of Chicago.
