ABOUT THE TWINKLE FOUNDATION

The Twinkle Foundation is a collective of Suzuki Music teachers in Aotearoa, New Zealand who teach an educational music programme for 0-5 year olds and their whānau.

The Twinkle Foundation follows the philosophy of Dr Suzuki and the concepts of DEIAB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging). Our programme creates an environment for young children and their parents free from pressure in which they can gain skills in music, movement, English, and te reo Māori, while developing other skills, like listening, patience, sharing and empathy throughout class.

Our teaching is responsive to DEIAB which can be defined as:

Diversity encompasses differences among people. These include , but are not limited to, characteristics such as national origin, language, race, colour, disability, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status.
Equity is the consistent and systemic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals.
Inclusion is cultivating a culture which promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness within the community.
Accessibility is providing equitable access to all individuals.
Belonging is creating an environment for all individuals to experience the feeling of being accepted, respected and valued.

Suzuki Early Childhood Education a worldwide music programme for young children which runs in many countries. In New Zealand, the Suzuki Early Childhood Education curriculum uses waiata (songs) and pao (rhymes) in English and te reo Māori, while exploring some New Zealand Sign Language.

“All children are born with immense potential. Quality early learning helps our children begin to realise that potential and build a strong foundation for later learning and for life. Unique in its bicultural framing, Te Whāriki expresses our vision that all children grow up in New Zealand as competent and confident learners, strong in their identity, language and culture. It emphasises our bicultural foundation, our multicultural present and the shared future we are creating. It encourages all children to learn in their own ways, supported by adults who know them well and have their best interests at heart.” (Te Whāriki, 2017). This quote, from Te Whāriki (the Early Childhood Curriculum in Aotearoa, New Zealand), emphasises the importance of our multicultural present and shared future within early childhood contexts. Our programme reflects this through the Suzuki philosophy, use of inclusive rhymes and waiata, the importance placed on continued consultation with relevant peoples and professional development of our teachers.

The foundation is a charitable trust and offers membership to families regularly coming to classes. Families do not have to become members to participate in classes. Membership provides additional support for its whānau and teacher members alike. The foundation offers events for participating children such as wānanga and atatū concerts, classes across the country, continued professional development for its teachers, readily available resources, and parent support. We aim to support our members through subsidies to events to further musical learning in the early years.

Classes and Locations

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Teacher Collective

Suzuki Violin and Suzuki ECE Teacher | Wellington

Ahna Jensen

BMus, BA (First Class Honors), MA (Education)

Registered Suzuki Violin Teacher, Accredited Suzuki ECE Teacher

Orff Level 1

Ahna Jensen works as a Suzuki Violin and Suzuki Early Childhood Educator in Wellington. Being involved in music since she was small, Ahna has a passion for fostering a joy for music in others.

On the completion of her undergraduate, Ahna undertook further study in music education receiving her Masters in 2021.

She currently runs a successful Suzuki violin and ECE studio in Upper Hutt and Wellington City.

Suzuki Cello and Suzuki ECE Teacher | Wellington

Emma Goodbehere

BMus, Postgraduate Certificate (Advanced Studies in Baroque Cello)

Registered Suzuki Teacher, Accredited Suzuki ECE Teacher

Emma Goodbehere is a Suzuki Cello and Suzuki Early Childhood Educator, working with children from birth to university level for over 20 years. Emma attended Victoria University and completed a Bachelor of Music with first class honours majoring in performance on modern Cello and baroque Cello as a second instrument.

In 2009, Emma began her Suzuki Early Childhood Education training with Emma O'Keefe (Perth, Australia). Her Let's Twinkle Early Childhood programme began in June 2009 and has been running in Upper Hutt ever since.

Suzuki Violin and Suzuki ECE Teacher | Hamilton

Catherine Polglase

BA, Diploma of Teaching (Secondary)

Level 4 Playcentre Early Childhood Diploma, Space for you and your Baby trainer and trained facilitator

Registered Suzuki Violin Teacher, Accredited Suzuki ECE Teacher

Catherine Polglase (Te Rawara, Ngati Maru) works as a Suzuki Violin and ECE Teacher and also Orchestras Planning Manager for Orchestras Central Trust. Catherine is passionate about babies and young children and the rich environment we can provide to enhance their learning. She founded the support programme Space for you and your Baby in the Waikato.

Suzuki Violin and Suzuki ECE Teacher | Wellington

Lynette Carson

Registered Suzuki Violin Teacher, Accredited Suzuki ECE Teacher

Lynette Carson is a Suzuki Music Educator based in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. She has been teaching since 1997, and currently teaches Suzuki Violin, Musical Tots Suzuki Baby & Toddler Music, Pre-Twinkle Tots pre-school music & Music Theory from her studio in Belmont, Lower Hutt.

Lynette has recently completed Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) Stage Three Training, and loves the ideals and philosophy behind nurturing the whole child from before birth.

Suzuki Violin and Suzuki ECE Teacher | Auckland

Emma Dann

BMus (First Class Honors), MMus

Registered Suzuki Cello Teacher, Accredited Suzuki ECE Teacher

Emma has played with orchestras all over the world including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony. From 2002 Emma was an active member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra National Youth Orchestra, where she was principal viola in the 2010 season, and she was a member of the 2010 Australian Youth Orchestra international tour.

Emma relocated back to Auckland in October 2012 to become a freelance musician, and Violin/Viola teacher. Emma is currently on contract with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and teaches Suzuki violin, viola and ECE classes. She is in the process of completing her Suzuki Violin Teacher training to gain level 3.

Suzuki Guitar and Suzuki ECE Teacher | Christchurch

Emma Schacherer

BMus (First Class Honors), Graduate Diploma (Early Childhood Education)

Registered Suzuki Guitar Teacher, Accredited Suzuki ECE Teacher

Emma Schacherer is a Suzuki Guitar and Suzuki Early Childhood Educator based in Christchurch. Emma studied classical guitar performance at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, graduating with first class honours. During her time at university, she began I then took a break to travel with my now husband before returning to NZ in 2020 to complete my graduate diploma in ECE and begin a career as a preschool teacher. I am now an ECE teacher and teach private guitar lessons. I am excited to launch a Suzuki ECE class for babies and toddlers in Lincoln.