Nora Friedman joined BKCM in 2011 as a junior Suzuki instructor, and though she was just getting started, she knew right away that she was home. “As soon as I walked in, it was the place for me,” she recalls. She is now the Suzuki Program Director, taking over after long-time director Julianne Carney-Chung moved on in 2023. In addition to her continued teaching responsibilities, her work now includes stewarding our Suzuki Program and advocating for Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s vision, which centers equity, community, and mutual support. “The vision that I think Suzuki teachers carry with them to this day is that they are, first and foremost, bringing up wonderful citizens of the world,” and Nora explains that the musical instruction itself becomes the instrument of transformation.

The program will celebrate Dr. Suzuki’s birthday later this month as they do every October, and Friedman has focused this year on listening to the needs of those families at BKCM. “This celebration is focused on building community and centering its needs. Dr. Suzuki emphasized service as a core value, and I’m hoping for student and adult volunteers for the event—a great way to connect with the mission and the Suzuki community.” In addition to performances and activities, families can expect to participate in a concert clothing and material donation swap to help offset participation costs for those just getting started. “While the method upholds a vision of equity, it’s also challenging to adhere to the method without the right resources. That continues to be the work that the Suzuki community is actively thinking about all the time—how can we make this more accessible to more children?”