Toby Walker started learning the violin aged five and Charlotte Clemson at three. Both are proud ‘Suzuki kids’ – they followed the teaching philosophy of Dr Shinichi Suzuki – and they have now opened a Suzuki school at the Rocks Lane Multi-Sports Centre in Chiswick. Dr Suzuki developed a unique method that enables children to play to their best ability while absorbing key life skills at the same time. ‘Children start young (three-plus) when skills are easily mastered and they learn in a natural way by listening and repeating,’ explains Toby. ‘Lessons are on a one-to-one and group basis; making music is about communicating, so playing socially from the beginning is vital.’