1993
TSA Preparation
Ms. Lin Shu-Rong’s efforts in establishing the TSA Suzuki Association have received support and official recognition from the International Suzuki Association (ISA), led by President Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and CEO Dr. Evelyn Hermann.
Ms. Lin Shu-jung invites Ms. Lü Shu-fen (piano), Mr. Lin Bo-shan (violin), Ms. Lin Li-cheng (violin), and a cello teacher teaching at an American school to participate in promoting the Suzuki teaching method.
Ms. Lü Shufen and Ms. Lin Lizheng served as directors after the establishment of the TSA corporate association in September 1994. Mr. Lin Boshan did not join the association and later individually organized the Talent Education Promotion Association.
1994
In September 1994, the Taiwan Suzuki Association (TSA) was officially established as a legal entity.
The Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of China (Taiwan) approved the Taiwan Suzuki Association (TSA) as the only official Suzuki organization in Taiwan. The International Suzuki Association (ISA), under the leadership of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, sent four subject representatives to attend the TSA’s founding ceremony.
The ISA provided the TSA with official Suzuki teaching materials for various instruments and appointed two distinguished instructors to conduct Suzuki teacher training in Taiwan:
Ms. Michie Hirata, the only internationally designated Suzuki piano teacher trainer by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and currently the Chair of the TSA Teacher Training Committee.
Mr. Yoshihiko Terada, a senior cello instructor from the Suzuki Talent Education Research Institute (TERI) in Japan, who currently serves as the Secretary-General and Honorary Advisor of the TSA Teacher Training Committee.
1997
Mr. Takahashi from the SA Japan Secretariat informs TSA that Chairperson Lin Shurong of the Suzuki Association has made some personnel restructuring changes.
Person in charge: (Mr. Takahashi from ISA, January 1997 to December 1997) / (Mr. Chen, January 1998 to September 1998).1998
Mr. Takahashi from ISA sent a letter to the relevant parties of Suzuki SAA in the United States on June 8, 1998, and Mr. Chen sent a letter on July 6, 1998.
1999
Organizational Integration
Under the presence of Dr. Evelyn Hermann, CEO of the International Suzuki Association (ISA), TSA Chairman Mr. Ko, teachers, and parent representatives, Mr. Toshifumi Takahashi (the person responsible for the 1997 TSA reorganization) and former TSA Chairman Mrs. Shushrung Lin discussed the significance of the integration.
※ Following the 1997 reorganization, 80% of the members, including Suzuki string and flute teachers, as well as students, integrated into the TSA Suzuki Association. Mr. Toshifumi Takahashi, who was in charge of the reorganization in 1997, joined the TSA Teacher Training Committee in the capacity of a flute specialist.
TSA held an Integration Commemorative Concert at the Central Daily News Auditorium.
(Attendees: Dr. Evelyn Hermann, Michi Hirata, Yoshihiko Terada, Ko Yawen (TSA Chairman), Shushrung Lin (first TSA Chairman), Toshifumi Takahashi, Fumiyo Usui, TSA teachers and members)
TSA established the Suzuki Teacher Training Committee.
Under the guidance of Dr. Evelyn Hermann, CEO of the International Suzuki Association (ISA), TSA Chairman Ko Yawen organized the first Suzuki Teacher Training Conference for the four main subjects. International Suzuki teacher training advisors and Taiwanese teachers jointly established the teacher training systems and student certification systems for Suzuki piano, cello, violin, and flute.
※ Michi Hirata, the piano teacher training committee member, expressed satisfaction with the progress made from the Suzuki Book 2 pieces selected during the 1995 and 1996 teacher training workshops to the elevation to Suzuki Book 8 through the teacher training system. She emphasized that the required skills for teachers should include a responsible attitude towards both parents and students. However, training a Suzuki teacher is not easy, requiring at least 3-5 years of study and practical experience, rather than adopting a membership registration system or quick-training methods to increase the number of participants. Every participant has different motivations for learning the Suzuki method, and it is rare to find individuals who continue their studies for the sake of improving their personal teaching.
In TSA Suzuki Association’s piano department, besides honorary TSA Chairman Shushrung Lin, who contributed to the organization’s establishment, there were approximately 30 past trainees, among which those who met the 1999 TSA Suzuki teacher criteria include Ko Yawen, Wang Shujuan, Zhan Yuting, Qiu Yunchun, Zhang Linming, and Lü Xiuzhi. As for those who left the program, they are always welcome to enhance their skills and prepare to join courses again. For those who have established their own studios or formed other organizations, TSA does not interfere as long as they do not engage in any actions associated with TSA Suzuki Association.
Due to insufficient TSA board members, an additional election was held to fill half of the vacant positions. Teachers integrated into the association were elected as TSA board members.
2000
2001
TSA Four-Subject Advisory Meeting in December 2001
Mr. Toshio Takahashi publicly shared details during the advisory meeting with Teachers Hirata, Terada, and other subject advisors about the following matters: the restructuring of Taiwan Suzuki Membership during 1997-1998, collaboration with Mr. Chen in the Taiwan Suzuki Co., the resignation process of the ISA President, details of the 2000 public hearing, and the recent content regarding the cancellation of ISA’s recommendation of Mr. Chen. He emphasized that the certificates issued by ISA are officially recognized by ISA, apologized for the past disruptions caused to TSA members, and thanked ISA President Yuko Suzuki for confirming this during the TSA concert. He also reported on the current status of the flute department and presented future plans, explaining that the qualifications of the flute assistant teachers recommended in the past TSA teacher training advisory meetings are based on the prerequisite that the teacher holds TSA membership in the Taiwan Suzuki Music Education Association. He inquired about the possibility of Mr. Hiroshi Tanioka taking over as the future flute department training instructor.
Personnel Recommendations
- Violin department teacher, Mr. Ai-Lin Zhang, reported on personnel changes regarding recommendations.
- Cello department teacher, Mr. Terada, was recommended by the various subject advisors to assist TSA in serving as the Chairman of the Activity Committee for the year 2002.
- Various subject advisors recommended Mr. Ai-Lin Zhang for a position in TSA, but Teacher Zhang politely declined several recommendations, including that of the President, stating that he would step back and focus on his teaching career.
Report from ISA President Yuko Suzuki
- In August, regarding the ASA perspectives in Asia, she expressed strong support for the Taiwan TSA Suzuki Association’s insistence on maintaining a non-profit stance.
2002
Statement by Yuko Suzuki, President of ISA, Regarding the Korean ASA Incident, October 2002
Regarding the establishment of the Asia Suzuki Association (ASA)
On April 3, 2002, I visited Taiwan with the hope of establishing the Asia Suzuki Association (ASA) and made the following three statements, which received the support of members of the Taiwan Suzuki Music Education Association (TSA):
a. ASA was to be registered as a non-profit organization (NPO) in Japan.
On April 3, signatures from representatives of the Philippines, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan were collected, and the four country representatives were asked to prepare registration documents to apply to the Japanese government for the establishment of the ASA NPO organization.
b. The ASA advisors were to be Yoshiki Nakamura and Yuko Suzuki.
The Secretary-General of ASA was to be Isao Fujii.
c. The ASA President would be from Korea: Kyung-Ik Hwang, and the Vice President from Taiwan: Ya-Wen Ko.
The International Suzuki Association (ISA), based on the above proposal, passed a resolution to recognize the establishment of ASA at the ISA Board Meeting on April 6, 2002. However, after the ISA Board meeting, the terms agreed upon were violated by some ASA member countries and changed as follows:
a. The registration country was changed to Korea.
President: Kyung-Ik Hwang (Korea)
Vice President: Ya-Wen Ko (Taiwan)
Secretary-General: Jeong Cheol-Hyung (Korea)
b. The advisor: Yoshiki Nakamura
The positions of Yuko Suzuki as ASA advisor and Isao Fujii as Secretary-General were unilaterally removed.
I feel both angry and disappointed with this outcome. I deeply regret that the result caused by this notification was not what I intended. I sincerely thank the TSA members in Taiwan who believed in and supported me from the beginning. I appreciate the trust you have given me.
I sincerely hope that ASA will operate in a democratic and transparent manner moving forward, and develop in a positive direction. I look forward to us Suzuki members uniting and realizing the strong aspirations of Mr. Suzuki, focusing on the happiness of children as the guiding principle of our development.
I will continue to do my best and put forth all my efforts.
October 17, 2002
Yuko Suzuki
Nakamura Atsuki, Advisor of the ASA Preparatory Committee, Visits Taiwan for Briefing
Mr. Nakamura briefed TSA’s various department members and advisors on the temporary ASA meeting held in August 2002 in Korea. The meeting resulted in the removal of Teacher Suzuki Yuko from her position as ASA advisor and the amendment of the temporary motion regarding the establishment of the ASA NPO organization in Japan, which was originally approved by the ISA board on April 6, 2002. The motion was changed to establish ASA in Korea instead. Mr. Nakamura expressed regret about this decision and showed understanding of the concerns held by TSA members in Taiwan regarding ASA in Korea.
Mr. Nakamura emphasized to the entire TSA that he hopes the teachers and parents of TSA in Taiwan will trust him to monitor the development of ASA in a democratic manner from his position as an ASA Preparatory Committee advisor. Each country retains the authority to issue Suzuki certificates, and TSA can continue to follow a system similar to Japan’s TERI, which was jointly developed with international training advisors and approved by ISA CEO Dr. Evelyn Hermann in 1999. In order to be responsible to TSA students and parents, TSA does not need to align with Korea and can maintain the originally planned high-level repertoire for teacher selection instead of lowering it to a lower level. The selection of TSA advisors will remain unchanged, and the ASA president’s term will be two years, with no re-election from the same country. He earnestly requested TSA to join ASA and support the future development of ASA. TSA, trusting Mr. Nakamura’s position, agreed to join ASA.
The ASA organization was established, with the first president, Mr. Hwang Kyung-Ik of Korea, serving a term until July 2004.
2003
“President of ASA Korea, Mr. Hwang Kyung-Ik, and Mr. Jeong Cheol-Hong visit Taiwan. During the dinner, Mr. Hwang Kyung-Ik and Mr. Jeong Cheol-Hong from Korea discussed ASA-related topics in Japan with the parents of TSA’s various departments.
TSA-hosted Exchange Concert (Taipei Main Station Performing Arts Theater)
TSA-hosted Teacher Membership Selection
Board of Directors
Chairman Ke and Vice Chairman Tian reported on attending the ASA meeting.”
2004
TSA-hosted Teacher Membership Selection
President of the Korean ASA, Mr. Hwang Kyung-Ik, and Mr. Jeong Cheol-Hong visited Taiwan in early July 2004.
Mr. Jeong Cheol-Hong of Korea visited again.
Before the 2004 Asia Suzuki Conference (August 12-16, 2004, Taipei), Mr. Jeong Cheol-Hong, Director of the Korean Affairs Bureau, visited Taiwan again to request TSA’s cooperation on various matters, opposing the recommendations of ASA advisor Mr. Nakamura Yasuki for teachers Julia Breen and Terada Yoshihiko, and asked TSA to replace them with Korean teachers. TSA welcomed the suggestion of additional performers and instructors from Korea; however, TSA’s invited consultants are all senior Suzuki teachers from various countries with experience in international Suzuki teacher training. Regarding other specific requests, TSA insists on maintaining ethical standards and treats all nationalities, ethnicities, religions, and organizations outside of ASA equally. TSA declares that all systems follow the guidelines promised by ASA advisor Mr. Nakamura Yasuki in December 2002. TSA agreed to join ASA based on Mr. Nakamura’s assurances. Regarding Korea’s request, TSA’s four departments have decided to maintain the original arrangement.
TSA-hosted 2004 Asia Suzuki Conference (Taipei Zhongshan Hall, New Stage, Japanese School, Taiwan Cement Building Performance Hall) Special guest: Mrs. Tseng Wen-Hui, wife of former President Lee Overseas guests: Mr. Nakajima Mineo (President of International University of Japan) Mr. Kida Hideya (Executive Director of the Japan Talent Education Research Institute, TREI / ISA Director) Mr. Paul Landefeld (SAA Violin Teacher Trainer from the United States / ISA CEO)
Suzuki Public Lectures: TSA held Suzuki public lectures at Taipei City University of Education in October 2004 and National Chiayi University in October 2004.
2005
Suzuki Open Lectures: TSA held Suzuki open lectures at Tainan Women’s College of Technology in March 2005 and at National Taiwan Normal University in April 2005.
Japan 1000-Person Concert (Kobe): TSA hosted the Suzuki Exchange Concert (Taipei Zhongshan Hall).
TSA Teacher Membership Selection: TSA organized the teacher membership selection process.
TSA Support for Participation in Japan 1000-Person Concert (Kobe): TSA supported the participation in the Japan 1000-Person Concert (Kobe).
TSA Board of Directors: Results of TSA’s board and supervisory board election: Mr. Tan Shigang was elected TSA President, and Ms. Ke Yawen was elected TSA Vice President. Vice President Ke reported to the faculty advisors and ASA Advisor Nakamura that Violin Department Teacher Zhang Ailin had respectfully declined to serve as TSA Vice President, and provided updates on the new President, Vice President, and other TSA board members.
TSA Advisory Board: The department advisors and ASA Advisor Nakamura confirmed that the agreement in Korea to change the ASA and the previous promises made by Mr. Nakamura were altered. A motion was raised to amend the ASA constitution, and the proposal to replace candidates recommended by ASA Advisor Nakamura, who were selected to serve as cello and flute training instructors at the 2004 Asia Suzuki Conference (Taipei), was discussed.
Piano Department: TSA Teacher Training Committee Chairperson Hirata Michi advised ASA Advisor Nakamura.
2006
Suzuki Public Lecture: The TSA held the Suzuki Public Lecture at National Chiayi University in November 2006.
TSA flute instructor Mr. Takao Fujioka (back row, left 1), cello instructor Mr. Akira Nakajima (back row, right 1), piano instructor Mr. Hirata (front row, right 1), and cello instructor Mr. Terada (front row, left 1) participated in the event.
TSA Hosted Exchange Concerts (Taipei Zhongshan Hall, National Concert Hall Performance Hall).
TSA Hosted Teacher Membership Selection
14th Suzuki World Conference, Turin, Italy, April 12-17, 2006 Report from the Suzuki World Conference Artistic Implementation Committee, results of the highest honor GALA concert review, and the selection of 4 students from Asia—2 from Taiwan TSA and 2 from Japan TERI—who, after a rigorous review, were chosen to perform as soloists with the Torino Teatro Regio Symphony Orchestra and the RAI National Symphony Orchestra.
TSA Advisory Committee: TSA’s advisory lawyer sent a letter to Mr. Huang Jingyi (President of ASA) inquiring about several matters.
2007
Suzuki Public Lecture
TSA held the Suzuki Public Lecture at National Taichung University of Education on March 20, 2007, and at Taipei City University of Education on April 26, 2007.
TSA Organized Exchange Concerts (Taipei Zhongshan Hall, New Stage)
TSA Organized Teacher Membership Auditions
TSA Teachers and Students Performed at the Suzuki National Convention in Japan
2008
TSA Advisory Committee
The TSA Advisory Committee received a report regarding certain recommended council members and former teachers whose personal actions have affected the association. The advisory committee has revoked its recommendations for their respective positions.
TSA Council 2008 TSA Board of Directors Election
TSA-hosted Exchange Concert (Taipei Zhongshan Hall, New Stage)
TSA-hosted Teacher Membership Selection
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki Memorial Concert, Tokyo, Japan
鈴木裕子前ISA理事長(右) 2008/3/28
鈴木公開講座
TSA於花蓮教育大學2008年4月16日
台中教育大學2008年4月7日
台北市立教育大學2008年5月30日
國立屏東教育大學2008年11月24日
台北市立教育大學2008年12月12日舉行鈴木公開講座
鈴木交流音樂會 台北中山堂
2009
TSA Consultant Lawyer’s Association Update: Since 2006, there has been no response from the ASA Secretariat in Korea, nor from the current ASA President, Mr. Hwang Kyung-ik.
An American band has invited our students to perform as soloists for the Piano Concerto and Violin Concerto. Ms. Hwang Bin, the first prize winner of the Paganini Competition, will perform as the violin concerto soloist.
TSA Teachers and Students Perform at the Suzuki National Convention in Japan
March 28 / Tokyo Budokan
Welcome Reception for the Suzuki National Convention in Japan
Tokyo
Yuko Suzuki, former ISA President (center), and Ya-Wen Ko, TSA President (left)
TSA Suzuki Teachers and Students at the Tokyo Budokan
TSA Organized Exchange Concert (Taipei Zhongshan Hall, New Stage)
TSA Organizes Teacher Membership Auditions
Suzuki Public Lectures
TSA held Suzuki Public Lectures at National Tainan University of the Arts on April 8, 2009,
National Chiayi University on April 29, 2009,
National Sun Yat-sen University on June 3, 2009,
and Soochow University on December 2, 2009.