Teacher Spotlight: Erin Cano, violin

Teacher Spotlight:  Erin Cano, violin

Interviewed by Zachary Preucil, cello

Erin joined MIC as a Suzuki violin/viola instructor in 2002.

What led you to become a Suzuki teacher?

Enid Cleary, my Suzuki teacher at the Music Institute of Chicago (then the Music Center of the North Shore),  gave me some informal training when I was in high school and college so that I could coach her students while she was away during the summers. When I came back to Chicago after graduate school, Enid offered to give me formal Suzuki training. It felt natural to do so since I’d already begun on that path, and I enjoyed teaching. Shortly thereafter, I began to work at MIC. We were on staff together at the school for a year or two before she left. I fondly remember the first time I led a piece at the Festival Concert. Enid was at the back of the stage playing with the kids, and she had a huge smile on her face.

Who have been some of your influential teachers, and how have they inspired your own teaching?

I’ve had three teachers who have greatly influenced me. Enid, of course, was the first. Many of her words still ring in my head, not just from my teacher training but also from my childhood. I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today without her.

My second influence was my viola teacher during my undergraduate years at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Mark Jackobs. He’s a member of the Cleveland Orchestra, and he has that ensemble’s famous string sound. I loved hearing him play in my lessons. I attribute my concept of tone to him. I also admired his ability to appreciate the unique personalities of his students and to tailor his approach for each of them. That’s something to which I aspire in my teaching.

My third influence was Jeffrey Irvine, my viola teacher in graduate school at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He refined my ability to bring out emotion and dynamics in my playing. Any of my students will tell you that this is something I constantly encourage them to do. He is also one of the kindest, most generous human beings I’ve ever met.

One of your many achievements at MIC has been starting and maintaining this newsletter, the Sentinel. What inspired you to start it, and how do you feel it has enriched the Suzuki program?

I was inspired to start the Suzuki Sentinel because the parents in my studio expressed that they wished there was an easy way for them to keep up with the events in the Suzuki program.  I asked Gilda Barston, who was Dean at the time, about starting a newsletter, and she was all for it. I hope that the newsletter has enriched the program by keeping the families informed about all the exciting things going on at our MIC Suzuki Program.

My favorite part of the newsletter has been doing the Teacher Spotlight interviews. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to get to know more about my colleagues at MIC. They are fascinating, wise, artistic, and inspirational.

A key part of the Suzuki philosophy is the “Suzuki Triangle”, describing the relationship between the teacher, student, and parent. What have been some of your most meaningful “triangle” experiences?

I love the “Suzuki Triangle” because the teamwork between the teacher, student, and parent is what leads the family to success. My favorite experiences have been when I give the parent and child an assignment in a lesson, and they discover their own innovative way to make it work for them. For example, I was working with a student on keeping her shoulders from twisting. The family found a place in their kitchen where the child could stand so that her right shoulder would touch the wall if she twisted, but she still had plenty of room to play without her bow bumping into anything. She enjoyed practicing in that spot because she could monitor her own body position, and her mom liked it because she didn’t have to nag her child. Plus, the student was able to maintain her correct position when she was away from the corner. It led to a sense of empowerment for the mom and the child!

What are your non-musical interests?

I’m a giant bookworm. Two of my favorite recent reads were “Kindred” by Octavia Butler and “The Golem and the Jinni” by Helene Wecker. I’m also an extremely amateur orchid enthusiast. I’ve kept three of them alive and blooming for several years. So I must be doing something right.