As Above, So Below

The Rose Quartet: The BFI Suzuki Program

February 19th, 2021

By Storyteller Malaika Butoyi

A series of stories about love, music, and world harmony.

Aime teaches other students how to excel at playing classical music with The Suzuki Method. BFI Executive Director, Julie Marner provides chopsticks for dexterity.

Musical Director of Suzuki Heritage Center, Susanna Han remarks on how naturally brilliant and resourceful a student leader is Aime.

Executive Director, Julie Marner hand-delivers a cello to Burundi.

Follow Burundi Friends International’s Executive Director, Julie Marner and Program Musical Director, Susanna Han from San Diego to Burundi — where they begin a musical partnership with young Aime Ndayirukiye.

Since then, playing the violin has become his life — and he loves it.

Over the years, Aime grew into the role of teacher, mentoring such stars as Junior, who is learning Minor Third and augmented second on violin — and learned a Vivaldi concerto by ear. Junior plays violin, cello, and flute with, “expressive intonation.” — Han

The BFI Suzuki Program serves as a beautiful reminder of how we can uplift one another by providing opportunity for growth and expansion.

I got to speak with Aime in Burundi last week (Aime means loved in French). He was all smiles, his eyes lit with the fire of passion. He says he sees how the music program benefits Burundians by providing peace and beauty in a war-torn country healing itself.

From 2010 to 2015, Aime expanded the music school in Burundi, until Civil War broke out. Students dispersed, continuing the cycle of diaspora in the region since colonial times.

Aime was restless as a political refugee in Rwanda, knowing it was his duty to continue what he started. Says Aime, the program gives focus, love, hope and confidence to Burundians. Once he was able to return to Burundi, he focused seriously on his violin studies, spending many hours to upload practice videos via spotty wifi signal to send to Susanna in San Diego for review.

You can imagine everyone’s relief to enjoy their first Skype session on April 23rd of 2016. In real time, Susanna was able to correct students’ posture. Aime has since progressed to Book Six of the Suzuki Method. Under his tutelage, eight students have also passed Suzuki Method tests. He sets an example for the other children.

Says Aime, kids did not normally do what adults do in Burundi. They were meant to stay at home. The BFI Suzuki Program shows them they can do anything. Aime wears all white to performing locally at wedding ceremonies and for holidays, the color of an idealist. I asked him what he wants for the future. He told me, adventure and strength.

Aime is somewhat of a philosopher. Orphaned at eight years old, he maintains a commitment to optimism and ingenuity. The BFI Suzuki program revealed to him the power of universal love — which crosses all identity boundaries, to unite humanity as a whole.

He told me, classical music brings peace and beauty to Burundi. After many years of bloodshed and divide along ethnic lines, the music program provide a sense of relief, a chance to begin again. With a beginner mindset, the children come together to attain not only a new skill, but also peace of mind and emotional harmony through music.

“The program showed me so much love, I forgot I was an orphan!” Aime exclaims.

On a day to celebrate the Rover landing on Mars, remember the rule: as above, so below. Know that adventures unfold right here on our home planet as well!

For more information, visit: bufri.org.

#philanthropyfriday #music #teacher #learning #opportunity