Recorder

Suzana Cooper has been teaching children and adults for over 20 years. She holds a Ph.D. in the Humanities from the University of Illinois, and has performed with various early music groups in the DC area. Former section leader and music director of the Washington Recorder Society, she is on the faculty of the Washington Conservatory of Music and is a member of the board of the American Recorder Teachers Association.

• Member of the American Recorder Society
• Former director of the instrumental ensemble, Collegium Musicum, American University
• Has appeared with the Haywood Consort and Sounds and Sweet Ayres
• Performances of Early Music and special performances for children

Few instruments can compare with the recorder for versatility. In use for centuries, it is the natural heir to the wealth of Renaissance and Baroque music. It is a favored instrument in the performance of chamber music. At the same time, the relative ease with which it can be played in the beginning stages makes it ideally suited to the needs of the aspiring student of music.

As a teacher of the recorder, I believe in treating it with the respect due a serious instrument while at the same time preserving the joy of making music. Intonation, articulation, and proper breathing are emphasized, with special attention given to the needs of the individual student. Children are introduced to musical notation and rhythmic activities and are taught sight-reading skills. Both children and adults are encouraged to play in groups as soon as they master the basics and are offered opportunities to take part in informal performances.

• Individual instruction for children and adults, $22 per half hour.
• Group lessons, price varies.
• Lessons are held in Chevy Chase, MD.
• Please call (301)270-9090 or contact the lessons coordinator by email.

• For extensive information on the recorder (articles, books, composers, makers, recordings, and much more), see the Recorder Home Page.
• If you have questions about Early Music, see the Frequently Asked Questions page for Early Music.
• You can participate in on-line discussions of Early Music on the Internet, via the newsgroup rec.music.early or the mailing list EARLYM-L. See the Early Music List page for more information.
• The House of Musical Traditions carries several recorders suitable for the beginning student. See the HMT recorder catalog.