What is Suzuki?

The Suzuki method of teaching was introduced by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki,  Pedagogue, Violinist and Educator from Matsamoto, Japan in the mid  twentieth century. Dr. Suzuki believed “Every Child Can”. As a skilled  violinist but a beginner at the German language who struggled to learn  it, Suzuki noticed that children pick up their native language quickly,  whereas adults consider even dialects “difficult” to learn which are  spoken with ease by children at age five or six. He reasoned that if  children have the skill to acquire their native language, they have the  necessary ability to become proficient on a musical instrument.  (Wikipedia)

Suzuki students learn aurally or “by ear” meaning that they learn the  music by listening to the recordings of each piece. They do not start  learning how to read music until later in their tutelage. Children can  start as early as 4-5 years old based on this concept. Fractional  violins are available to accommodate even the smallest child. We encourage parents to rent the violins and enroll in a rent to own  program with the fractional violins until they reach the age and size of  owning a full size. This is typically by 8th grade.

Teachers have to pass a critiqued, paneled based, Audition requirement to even enter into the Suzuki of the Associations Suzuki  level certification program. Once that has been passed, teachers are  permitted to begin their educational journey by learning each Suzuki  Book one by one in a classroom atmosphere with attendance of 7-10 days, 8  hours a day study, and observation requirements for each book  instructed by certified Suzuki Teacher Trainers. Teachers become members  of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and are now included in  societies nationally as well as internationally. It is important to work  with a teacher that has done the work of studying and passing each book  so that you know your student is receiving the best possible  instruction of the Suzuki repertoire.

Students attend weekly private lessons and group lessons. They are  expected to “play by ear” their pieces and not read music while in the  lesson. Music Reading is instructed once the student reaches mid Book  One with the I Can Read, book by Joanne Martin, written specifically for  Suzuki Students. Parents are expected to attend, listen, and take notes  each week at the private and group lessons. The parent becomes the  “home teacher” with the student and also helps with overseeing practice  time and assisting at home. Students need to have a Bluetooth speaker  along with the recordings on their devices. An alternative is to listen  to the CD’s on a cd player. Once the student turns 12 years old, the  parent no longer needs to attend the sessions unless requested. The  student is now responsible for each lesson learning and homework.

Each student is encouraged to participate in annual recitals to  showcase each semester’s hard work. We have a December recital, Winter  workshop/recital with Master Suzuki teacher, Charles Krigbaum, and  Spring Recital in June.

Parents are required to commit to two in person observations of my  program before enrollment. One private and one group lesson observation  are encouraged. A parent and student need to attend, and this allows  time to ask questions at the lesson and see what a typical week looks  like in the program.

Group classes are scheduled on Thursday afternoons in the Riot Act  space on the 3rd floor of the Center for the Arts. Students are placed  in a group based upon their level of playing. Groups consist of 3-8  students/class.

Zoom lessons are offered upon request. In person participation is  preferred as long as allowed by Teton County and the State of Wyoming.  Zoom is offered when a student is ill, stays home from school, or has  flu or cold symptoms.