Mary Howles

Having completed a degree, diplomas and a PGCE (Secondary Music) in Birmingham, Mary began working for Sandwell MBC in 1988, where she had the opportunity to train as a Suzuki Violin Teacher, alongside her full-time role as an instrumental teacher, becoming fully qualified in 1993. Mary loved the opportunity to work with children and their parents/carers, to direct string orchestras, to work with Suzuki trained colleagues and to take students to London to play in National Suzuki events. She also enjoyed teaching on Suzuki workshops and courses in England, Scotland and Paris.

In 1999, Mary moved authorities and began teaching for Worcestershire, teaching the violin and directing string orchestras, and her role later included the running of an Area Music Centre and supporting other teachers with their development. She also worked on whole class string projects and taught curriculum music at Primary School level.

Missing her Suzuki teaching roots, Mary then left the Music Service in 2019 and set up a private Suzuki teaching practice at her home in Kidderminster, and took a part-time school teaching job at South Bromsgrove High, teaching students in Years 9-13, which she planned to do for one year, but stayed for four because she was learning so much and enjoyed the community of the High School.

Mary is now enjoying combining her private teaching with her Suzuki teaching on the Young Strings Project at the Junior Conservatoire and being part of the Suzuki teaching community in the Birmingham area.