When a group of young musicians steps onto a stage halfway across the world, the music starts long before the first bow hits the string.
This past July, 48 members of Austin’s own Songbird Rising Suzuki School (including 13 student performers from Songbird Strings, five staff members, parents, grandparents, and community supporters) traveled to Japan for an extraordinary international tour. Performing in the birthplace of the Suzuki method is a milestone for any string player, but for the Songbird Rising community, the journey was as much about connection and shared experience as it was about music.
We spoke with founder and director Laura to talk about their summer abroad, how Austin parents can navigate the daily practice routine at home, and what’s on the horizon as their school continues to grow.
From Mt. Fuji to Taiko Drums
International tours demand months of preparation, teamwork, and local support. To help make the trip a reality, the school hosted an instructor concert and auction at ACG’s The Rosette, backed by donations from local families, students, and community partners (including a few items from our team here at Blackerby!).
Once in Japan, the group’s itinerary was filled with rich cultural and musical exchanges:
Diverse Collaborations: The students performed alongside a community theater group, a local piano school, a traditional Japanese ensemble, an orchestra created to support mothers and their children, and even gave a concert near Mt. Fuji.
Cultural Immersion: Between shows, the group explored historic temples, dove into hands-on Taiko drumming workshops, and took a sushi-making class together.
"An international tour begins not when our plane lands, but in the planning stages," Laura shared. "By facing the challenge together, students and their families rely on mutual support and forge deeper trust. Ultimately, the tour becomes a lasting source of friendship, motivation, and purpose."
Four Practice Tips for Suzuki Families
The Suzuki philosophy relies heavily on the "triangle" between student, parent, and teacher. Because daily home practice can sometimes feel like a hurdle, Laura shared four practical strategies every parent can use to build a healthy, motivating environment at home:
Develop a Routine: Anchor practice time to daily habits (like right after an afternoon snack) so it becomes a natural, expected part of the day.
Prioritize Consistency: Life gets busy, but keeping practice constant—even in small doses—helps momentum stick through schedule changes.
Follow the Structure: Stick to the practice sequence laid out by your teacher. A typical session might start with warm-ups, move to review work or technical studies, tackle new material, and wrap up with the current working piece. “ Provide just enough practical and psychological support to foster both guided learning and growing independence,” Laura highlighted.
Fuel the Motivation: Practice feels purposeful when kids see where it leads. Take your child to live concerts, encourage busking, attend open mics, and make sure they are playing alongside their peers in group classes.
Looking Ahead: New Spaces & Growing the Team
It’s a big season of growth for Songbird Rising. The school is currently settling into a new home at St. John’s Methodist and gearing up for local collaborations, including an upcoming project with their friends at School of Rock (keep an eye on their Instagram for announcements!).
We're Helping Spread the Word: Songbird Rising is Hiring!
With new growth comes the need for great mentors. Songbird Rising is actively searching for an experienced Suzuki teacher who is kind, community-minded, collaborative, and a strong communicator to join their faculty.
If you or someone you know would be a great fit for their team, explore their school culture on Instagram or reach out directly at songbirdrising.com.
