New violin students who would like to enroll in the studio should be between 3½ and 5 years old. All potential students must be toilet-trained. Children and parents are not required to have had any prior musical training. Admission is entirely dependent on the family’s readiness to learn as determined by the teacher.
The first step towards enrollment is for parents and children to come observe a group class. This observation requirement allows families to see what is expected in terms of activities and behavior. Please contact Jen for specific information on where and when to observe.
Scholarships are available for families from historically marginalized groups. Please inquire for more details.
Suzuki by the Sound accepts transfer students based on how well the child and parent would fit into the studio. Please first observe a group class and then schedule a trial lesson if you are interested in joining the program. For trial lessons, students should come prepared to play a polished piece that represents their ability on the instrument.
Prior to starting lessons, parents should be as informed as possible about the Suzuki Approach.
Recommended readings are:
Dr. Suzuki’s autobiography, Nurtured by Love
Constance and William Starr’s To Learn with Love
Louise Behrend’s The Suzuki Approach.
These materials become parents’ guides during the first few years of study.
WHO IS A GOOD FIT?
Is your child excited about playing the violin?
Are you willing to commit to practicing a minimum of 30 minutes every day? (This can be divided into two or three short practice sessions.)
Is your child able to function cooperatively in a group setting?
Will you create a fertile musical environment by playing the Suzuki Violin School CDs and other classical music every day?
Most importantly – Are you willing to grow yourself, try on new ideas, and stretch beyond your comfort zone in order for your child to succeed?
If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, then your family will feel right at home with Suzuki by the Sound!
