ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
Suzuki School of the Arts is a private, non-profit, 501c(3) organization offering a quality music program that provides instruction in violin, viola, cello, guitar and piano. Please feel free to take advantage of our open door policy, and observe lessons and classes at any time. SSA does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, creed, national or ethnic origin, disability, or socioeconomic status.
PURPOSE • The purpose of Suzuki School of the Arts, Inc. is to provide quality music instruction in a positive and nurturing manner, utilizing the family oriented Suzuki method and philosophy.
MISSION STATEMENT • The goal of the Suzuki School of the Arts, Inc. is to ensure that quality instruction is available not only to its own students, but that it becomes available to a wider segment of the community, including the handicapped and the economically disadvantaged, through programming and scholarship development.
PHILOSOPHY • The philosophy of the Suzuki School of the Arts, Inc. is based on the philosophy and principles of the Suzuki method of teaching, developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. Dr. Suzuki believed that everyone is born with an ability to learn and that this ability can be developed through proper nurturing. Based on the belief that all individuals can learn and love to learn if teaching is exciting, interesting, and challenging, the Suzuki philosophy leads each student to discover his or her own unique gifts and talents. Confidence acquired through the mastering of skills enables all students to achieve the highest standards while enjoying the process in an environment of mutual respect. The blending of excellence in instruction with sensitivity to each student's needs enables the students to achieve their full potential. Embracing the family in all aspects of the Suzuki methodology generates a closesness for student and family; involving the community promotes a sense of interdependence; and inspiring a belief in the value of all persons creates an interconnectedness with the world.
THE ROLE OF THE PARENT
The Suzuki Parent–Teacher–Student triangle is the core of Suzuki education. All SSA teachers have extensive training on how to maintain a strong relationship between the teacher and parent, teacher and student, and student and parent. Responsibilities for each person in the triangle are carefully determined by the teacher to meet the needs of each family. Parents often find that a Suzuki education is a great bonding experience between them and their children. The teacher will be a parent's greatest resource for questions about practice time, motivation, lessons, and performing.
HOME TEACHER • For the young Suzuki student, parents are encouraged to guide the home practice sessions, and listen to the Suzuki CDs with the student. Parents are welcome to take video and sound recordings during lessons to further help home practice. The teacher will give easy instructions on how to make home practice time productive and fun. No previous music experience is required of the parent.
LESSON RECORDER • As the Suzuki student develops more independence musically and physically, parents will still participate in the lesson as a note taker. Parents are still encouraged to guide the home practice sessions and listen to the Suzuki CDs, however the student will have more personal responsibilities during his/her home practice time.
CHEERLEADER • At all Suzuki student levels, the parent is encouraged to be a cheerleader, a positive motivator. Once the Suzuki student reaches the teenage years and early adulthood, more responsibility is placed on the student for home practice time and listening of the CD. Parents are no longer required to participate in the lessons, but are still welcome to observe. The responsibility of the parent at this stage is to provide gentle encouragement and good listening ears as the student develops independent practice and performance skills.
OUR PROGRAMS
Each of these classes are included with your Academic Year Tuition.
We offer music instruction in Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano, & Guitar
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PRIVATE LESSONS
Offered once a week.
A lesson with one student, their parent or guardian, and the teacher. Private lessons are generally 30 minutes in length, but may be lengthened as the student becomes more advanced. Private lessons are offered weekly during the academic term, except during "Group Week," when the student is expected to attend his/her group class. Fiddle playing is a popular supplemental component to regular lessons and occasionally group lessons.
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GROUP LESSONS
Once a month in lieu of private lesson.
Group lessons are offered once a month and are an opportunity for students to learn to play with others who are at a similar playing level. Each group lesson is approximately one hour in length and is attended by students, their parents or guardians, and one or more teachers. All students are expected to attend their group class each month.
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ENSEMBLES
Ensembles are offered during group weeks as enrollment allows.
Adult Orchestra A monthly group class uniquely designed for all the school's adult students who are at different playing levels and who play different instruments.
Beginning Guitar Ensemble Students are matched according to performing levels by their teachers in a once a month class offered in lieu of a group lesson.
Advanced Guitar Ensemble Advanced guitar students are matched according to their performance level by their teacher in a once a month class offered in lieu of a group lesson.
New this year
Chamber Music
This year we are beginning a Chamber Music class in which students will be able to play in small ensembles. This opening is for violin, viola and cello students who are fluent music readers. Classes will meet on group weeks and one additional week per month for a total of 18 weeks. There is an extra charge for this program.
SUZUKI AROUND THE WORLD
Suzuki Philosophy is a worldwide phenomenon.
DR. SUZUKI
Shinichi Suzuki was born on October 17, 1898, in Nagoya, Japan. Though he lived to be 99 years old, he remained full of energy, cheerful and loving to everyone he met. Suzuki and his 11 brothers and sisters played near the violin factory their father owned and saw instruments being made, but the children never realized what beautiful sounds could come from a violin. When he was 17, Suzuki heard a recording of Schubert's "Ave Maria." He was amazed that the violin could make such a beautiful tone. He had thought it was just a toy, but soon learned to play, at first by teaching himself. When he was 22 years old, he went to Germany and studied with the famous teacher, Karl Klinger. Suzuki eventually moved back to Japan, where he began to teach and play string quartet concerts with his brothers.
Dr. Suzuki always loved children and became very interested in teaching them. He thought that children could learn music just as they learned to speak, starting when they were very young. He believed that all children from a young age have the talent to learn if they are taught well by loving parents and teachers.
Teachers from throughout the world came to Japan to learn about Dr. Suzuki's method of teaching. As he and his students performed in many other countries over the years, more and more teachers and parents became fascinated by his ideas. Now thousands of children around the world have learned to play through the Suzuki Method. Dr. Suzuki showed teachers and parents everywhere what children could do. He believed hearing and playing great music helped children become great people with beautiful, peaceful hearts.
SUZUKI ASSOCIATION OF THE AMERICAS
The Suzuki Association of the Americas (SSA) is a coalition of teachers, parents, educators, and others who are interested in making music education available to all children. The SSA provides programs and services to members throughout North and South America.