This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Whiz Biz: Suwardi Music Studio

From the clarinet to the violin to the flute, Cheryl Suwardi offers a variety of music lessons for beginners to advanced students at her local studio.

Whiz Biz: Suwardi Music Studios

Location: Rancho Santa Margarita

Phone: 949-589-1855

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Website: www.suwardimusic.com

What Makes It So Awesome: Cheryl Suwardi offers a lifetime of knowledge and passion for music, providing stringed instrument lessons to students of all ages in her studio.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What’s the Scoop: Cheryl Suwardi’s love for music began in the fourth grade, when she picked up a clarinet and began to play. Her passion for music flourished in high school when her band director taught her how to play flute, baritone and piano. From there, she started learning every instrument she could find. When her band director gave her an opportunity to teach younger students, she had a hunch she had stumbled onto the perfect career.

Suwardi attended VanderCook College of Music in Chicago for her undergraduate and graduate degrees; it is the only institution of higher learning focused exclusively on music education. There, she learned how to play all of the band and orchestra instruments, including piano and guitar. Her major instrument was clarinet, and she performed in junior and senior solo recitals as an undergraduate. She also explored violin lessons, sang in the choir and spent over 100 hours in music classrooms observing and assisting elementary, middle school and high school music teachers.

“For me, going to VanderCook was the best decision for my career,” said Suwardi. “My teachers prepared me to be a music teacher, and I had a full immersion into the world of music. I gained abundant knowledge, performance opportunities and life skills. I will forever appreciate the education I received.”

After graduation, Suwardi took a job as an orchestra director at Hyde Park Academy High School in Chicago, where she taught for three years. During that time, she began her Masters degree in music education with a strings emphasis at VanderCook. She continued to take violin lessons, play in the graduate string ensemble and perform music research.

In 2005, Suwardi moved to Rancho Santa Margarita, obtained a California clear teaching credential in music and began her music teaching business in the community. She continued teaching in the schools through June, 2010 and now focuses exclusively on her music studio. She resides here with her husband, Alfred, who assists with many of the production details at her studio.

“I love living in Rancho Santa Margarita,” said Suwardi. “My favorite things are the lake and mountain views. I also enjoy having so many restaurants and shops nearby.” She added that her favorites are and . When she isn’t focusing on music, Suwardi enjoys swimming, tennis, reading and her two cats, Twinkle and Raphi.

What’s Unique: While many music teachers focus on just one instrument, Suwardi’s vast knowledge of many stringed instruments allows her to expand her offerings. She currently teaches violin, clarinet, flute, viola, cello, trumpet, baritone and alto saxophone and also offers double bass private lessons, orchestra classes and wind ensemble classes. Her 47 students range in age from 4 years old to senior citizen age.

Suwardi emphasizes student-focused instruction and sees every student as an individual. “I want to get to know each student, his or her interests, goals needs and current ability,” she said. “Then, I customize the lessons to fit the individual.” Students study a well-balanced music curriculum that includes performance, music theory, composition, improvisation, music history and world music.  Students even have an opportunity to write their own music during their lessons.

A typical day for Suwardi begins at 8 a.m., when she begins preparing lesson plans, practicing music for upcoming performances and corresponding with parents. Her students arrive around 1:30 p.m., and lessons run into the evening.

In addition to private lessons, Suwardi teaches orchestra and wind ensemble classes. The junior orchestra is for students kindergarten through third grade, the advanced orchestra is offered for students in grades 4-8, and the wind ensemble includes woodwind and brass students in grades 3-8.

Suwardi Studios offers several concerts throughout the year, including the unique Halloween Concert, during which students are allowed to wear their costumes while performing Halloween music. During the Music History Concerts, students learn a piece by a famous composer, create a power-point slide presentation and teach the audience about the composer and music. And during Composition Concerts, students give their world-premieres of the new pieces they have written in their lessons. Students are also invited to participate in a variety of family field trips to professional concerts, workshops and clinics throughout the year.

Suwardi emphasizes the many benefits of musical education and lessons, including leadership skills, self-expression, creativity, communication, critical thinking, self-motivation, self-esteem, commitment and individual respect. She also notes several intriguing benefits many people may not be aware of, which includes creating brain-wave connections that enable the student to do better in other school subjects, as well as significantly higher SAT scores.

When asked what advice she’d give to a child wanting to pursue a lifetime career in music, Suwardi said, “Learn as much as you can, practice every day, and always love what you do. Don’t give up no matter how hard it may get. You can find the solution! And finally, always let your passion drive you to further learning and performing.”

It is her own passion for music and for her students that makes Cheryl Suwardi a beloved teacher in the Rancho Santa Margarita community, and it is her professional, innovative spirit that makes her studio this week's Whiz Biz.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?