Dr.Suzuki's encouragement of children as young as four to learn to play by listening and imitation, with the active participation of the parent, has revolutionised traditional music teaching over the last forty years. Strictly speaking, children learning this way do not start to read music until they can play whole concerts and other very advanced music. The principle is that they cannot afford to take their eyes away from what they are doing physically with the instrument and the bow and therefore learn to play by ear in the same way that babies learn to speak before they can read words. However, in our society children like to be able to read music at a fairly early stage in order to play with their school friends and have some fun which is, after all, what music is all about. Therefore, while still being aware of the technique of holding the instrument and the bow correctly and producing a good sound, all of the members of Jordan Junior Strings learn to read and play in conjunction with the Suzuki Method and usually join the String Orchestras when they are suitably proficient at sight reading. Cellists of the same sort of age and ability are invited to join the orchestra too. The standard is about Grade 5 and the children are all aged under 13.

Children can start learning with Elaine from the age of five or perhaps a little earlier if the child is able to focus and can stand still and concentrate for an individual lesson. Parents often claim that their child desperately wants to play the violin and is very "musical". Elaine's answer is that "musicality" can be learned by every child and that small children cannot fully grasp the concept and implications of being able to play such a beautiful instrument in later life. What really matters is that the parent is motivated enough to work with the child and give him or her this opportunity. Lessons always involve the parent who is working with the child. Elaine shows the parent how to practise with their child at home.

Elaine's pupils study scales and studies in addition to the Suzuki course and usually take Associated Board Examinations at Grades 3, 5, 6 and 7. Many individuals have won music scholarships at public schools including Wycombe Abbey, Marlborough College, Headington, Oundel and St. Anne's. Others have gone on to study music at college or university and one applied and was accepted at the Menuhin School. We always have several current students in the National Children's Orchestra. In addition, there have been television and film appearances and European tours to Italy, Spain, Austria and Hungary. Jordan Junior Strings have given many concerts on the South Bank and at St. John's, Smith Square in London and have also performed to royalty, ambassadors and members of the government including several performances for Prime Minister Tony Blair and his family at Christmas. All children attend Group Lessons. These are an essential part of Suzuki Method and are important for motivating the children and allowing them to enjoy the sound of massed violins.