This week on the Time to Practice podcast, violinist, music educator,and parent Sharon Funk is joining us to talk about music practice at home with her 3-year-old daughter, who is learning Suzuki Guitar. She shares practical advice and real-life examples of how they are making music lessons and practice work for their family at this young age - it was inspiring to hear all of her ideas!

Links in this Episode:

Sharon Funk's Bio: https://upbeatnewhampshire.org/about/our-teachers/sharon-funk/

About the Suzuki Method: https://internationalsuzuki.org/method

Upcoming SAA Enrichment Course: Setting Families Up for Success: From Onboarding to Ongoing Support

Links to Find Positive Practice: 5 Steps to Helping Your Child Develop a Love of Music: SuzukiTriangle.com/books |

For BULK book orders click HERE

Want to be a part of a future Audio Practice Journal and share your experience? Submit HERE

Resources at SuzukiTriangle.com

SIgn up for the Monthly Newsletter: SuzukiTriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

Transcript

This week we're kicking off our new season of episodes with a fantastic conversation with violinist, speaker, founder and artistic director of the nonprofit Street Symphony, and now author of a fantastic new memoir called Restrung: Vijay Gupta. We talk about his new book, his article in the Suzuki journal, his journey as a musician and what he's learned along the way. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Links in this Episode:

Upcoming SAA Enrichment Course: Setting Families Up for Success: From Onboarding to Ongoing Support

Vijay Gupta's website: https://www.vijaygupta.com/

Restrung: A Memoir of Music and Transformation by Vijay Gupta Bookshop.org | Amazon

Find Vijay Gupta on Instagram: instagram.com/guptaviolin/

Resources at SuzukiTriangle.com

SIgn up for the Monthly Newsletter: SuzukiTriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

Transcript

Parents & families of music students - this short and sweet episode is for you!

Time to Practice season 4 starts next week and I can't wait for you to hear it.

Links in this Episode:

Setting Families Up for Success Enrichment Course for Teachers (October 2026)

Sign up for the monthly newsletter

Resources at SuzukiTriangle.com

You can email: Christine at SuzukiTriangle.com or connect with her on Instagram

Request a Parent Talk, Presentation, or Book Club Discussion with Christine

TRANSCRIPT

This week we're wrapping up our Summer of Music practice tips. Today we're speaking with cellist Dr. Michael King about his favorite game for music practice and music lessons, and it may be a great one for you to incorporate into music practice or lessons this week!

Links in this episode:

Upcoming SAA Enrichment Course: Setting Families Up for Success: From Onboarding to Ongoing Support

Michael King's Website

Suzuki Institute of Seattle

Seattle Cello Choirs

Resources at SuzukiTriangle.com

Sign up for the Monthly Newsletter: SuzukiTriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

TRANSCRIPT

This week we're speaking with Laura Sinclair about three ways she suggests her students stay motivated and engaged in music practice over the summer. She shares great tips with us that work whenever your child's practice needs a boost of inspiration!

Links in this episode:

Upcoming SAA Enrichment Course: Setting Families Up for Success: From Onboarding to Ongoing Support

Laura Sinclair's website: https://lauraksinclair.com/

Laura Sinclair's Instagram

Practice Shoppe Bingo Cards

Listen to Laura's full-length interview on the podcast in Episode 6 HERE

Resources at SuzukiTriangle.com

Sign up for the Monthly Newsletter: SuzukiTriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

TRANSCRIPT

By listener request this week's episode has something for everyone whether you're a teacher, parent, or both.

Edmund Sprunger is a Registered Violin Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Author of Helping Parents Practice and Building Violin Skills (two books I personally love and recommend all the time).

He is a frequent guest speaker and clinician at workshops and events supporting Suzuki teachers and Families. Edmund Sprunger is also a psychotherapist in private practice giving him a unique perspective of having studied with Suzuki in Japan, decades of teaching experience, deep care about supporting parents who are supporting their children in practice and his perspective in the field of mental health.

Links in this Episode:

• Edmund Sprunger's Website: https://www.sprungerstudio.com/
• Helping Parents Practice by Edmund Sprunger
• Music Practice Makeover: at Bookshop.org or Amazon.com
• You can email Christine here: Christine at SuzukiTriangle.com
• Or connect with her on Instagram
• Request a Parent Talk, Presentation, or Book Club Discussion with Christine
• Google Form to submit your practice tip for a future podcast
• TRANSCRIPT

This week Laura Nerenberg, performing musician, music educator, and parent, is sharing a practice tip with us and I can't wait for you to hear it! Laura first came on the podcast on episode 127 (link below) if you enjoyed this tip, you'll want to check out our conversation from earlier this year all about practice and improvisation. Meanwhile, I hope this practice tip inspires you this week! Thanks for sharing your tip with us Laura!

Links in this episode:

Laura Nerenberg's website

Laura Nerenberg's full length interview from earlier this season

Parent Talk with Barbie Wong: August 15th at 9am Pacific

Studio Rate: Parent Talk with Barbie Wong (or link to purchase the recording if you're seeing this afer the event)

Resources at SuzukiTriangle.com

SIgn up for the Monthly Newsletter: SuzukiTriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

TRANSCRIPT

This week our practice tip is coming parent Anton Van Oosbree, who shares three practice tips he's learned after four years of lessons with his child. These are especially great tips for parents and caregivers who practice with their children!

Links in this episode:

Parent Talk with Barbie Wong: August 15th at 9am Pacific

Studio Rate: Parent Talk with Barbie Wong

Resources at SuzukiTriangle.com

Sign up for the Monthly Newsletter: SuzukiTriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

Transcript