126. Elementary Orchestra Done Right with Susan Ott Rodberg

In Episode 126 of the Orchestra Teacher Podcast, Dr. Charles Laux sits down with master elementary string educator Susan Ott Rodberg for an inspiring and deeply practical conversation about building strong string programs from the very beginning.Susan is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early/Middle Childhood Music and Orchestra, a Suzuki-trained violinist, and a passionate advocate for access to high-quality string education. With nearly three decades at U.B. Kinsey Palmview Elementary School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida, she has shaped generations of young musicians—some of whom return years later with children of their own!In this episode, Susan shares her journey from Suzuki violin training (including meeting Dr. Shinichi Suzuki) to discovering her true calling in elementary orchestra education. She discusses teaching students as young as kindergarten, designing developmentally appropriate systems that emphasize posture, setup, and musical independence, and helping students earn the right to play a real instrument through intentional preparation.Listeners will hear Susan’s philosophy on: • Teaching K–5 orchestra in a Title I, arts-focused magnet school • Blending Suzuki principles with traditional classroom instruction • Building left-hand setup, posture, shifting, and even vibrato at the elementary level • Classroom management strategies that are simple, positive, and effective • Why modeling, consistency, and community relationships matter more than any single method book • Repertoire she returns to year after year that truly works for young string playersSusan also offers invaluable advice for new teachers, emphasizes the importance of mentorship and professional organizations, and reflects on what has never changed in her 30-year career: putting students first and building a solid technical foundation from day one.This episode is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and actionable ideas for any orchestra teacher, especially those working with beginners and elementary programs.🎻 Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach with young string players, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.— SPONSORS AND AFFILIATE LINKS —Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. ⁠https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/⁠Want to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new? Check out Keiser Productions! https://www.keiserproductions.comLooking for things on Amazon?  Use my affiliate link:⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠Do you keep a monthly budget?  If not, try You Need a Budget!  It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track.⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠Do you have cable?  Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV!  It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more!⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠