Tuition and Calendar
Calendar
Fall Term: September 6-January 14
Spring Term: January 24-May 20

We strive to provide a dramatic, fulfilling, and exciting educational environment for our students. While we stress the importance of individual instruction, we recognize the immeasurable value of hearing concerts, master classes, composition, theory and music appreciation all under one roof. In this fertile soil our students flourish and become all they can be.

Program

Private lessons

Private instruction is offered to students of all ages in violin, viola and cello.

Group classes

The group class is a vital component of the Suzuki program. It gives the children invaluable ensemble experience, increasing their musical, expressive abilities, and building friendship with other young musicians. Because group and private lessons are equally important, parents are encouraged to observe and participate.

There are various levels of Suzuki violin classes that meet once a week. These classes are designed to reinforce the methods and materials used in private instruction

Music theory classes

Theory Classes are designed to enhance the music student's performance and overall musicianship by promoting an understanding of the structure of music. Students gain tools with which they can increase their understanding of the music and develop greater sight-reading ability. Ear-training is another important focus of the program.

Age Range: The Music Theory Programs are designed for and encourage all students age, including adults, to take theory. First-semester beginner students are advised, however, to wait until they have completed one semester of lessons.

Chamber music

Chamber music is open to all violin, viola and cello students. Students will be grouped in duo, trio and string quartet. Many Baroque, Classical and other fun music will be performed in the class. Students will learn the ensemble playing and enhance their sight-reading ability greatly.

Suzuki Program

Founded by the legendary Japanese teacher Shinichi Suzuki, the Suzuki method of teaching is one that seeks to realize the fullest musical and personal potential of each child through the medium of violin. At the heart of the Suzuki philosophy is the belief that children learn music in exactly the same manner that they absorb language - through constant immersion and repetition. Just as all children can learn to speak their native tongue, so too can all children become proficient in music. Daily listening to recordings, daily practice, regular concert attendance, and encouragement are required of parent and student.

Every child can learn

More than forty years ago, Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach.

Parent Involvement
As when a child learns to talk, parents are involved in the musical learning of their child. They attend lessons with the child and serve as "home teachers" during the week. One parent often learns to play before the child, so that s/he understands what the child is expected to do. Parents work with the teacher to create an enjoyable learning environment.

Early Beginning
The early years are crucial for developing mental processes and muscle coordination. Listening to music should begin at birth; formal training may begin at age three or four, but it is never too late to begin.

Listening
Children learn words after hearing those spoken hundreds of times by others. Listening to music every day is important, especially listening to pieces in the Suzuki repertoire so the child knows them immediately.

Repetition
Constant repetition is essential in learning to play an instrument. Children do not learn a word or piece of music and then discard it. They add it to their vocabulary or repertoire, gradually using it in new and more sophisticated ways.

Encouragement
As with language, the child's effort to learn an instrument should be met with sincere praise and encouragement. Each child learns at his/her own rate, building on small steps so that each one can be mastered. Children are also encouraged to support each other's efforts, fostering an attitude of generosity and cooperation.

Learning with Other Children
In addition to private lessons, children participate in regular group lessons and performance at which they learn from an are motivated by each other.

Suzuki Violin Group Classes

Violin Group Class A
This group class is designed for students who are in the first half of Suzuki volume 1. Emphasis is on posture, focus, bow hold and elementary tone production. Parent participation is a large part of this course and parent attendance is highly encouraged .

Time: Location:
Length: 45 minutes
Fee:

Violin Group Class B
This class is for students in book who are in the second half of Suzuki volume 1. Continued work on posture and bow hold, tone production and review. Beginning theory and ear training are part of this course.

Time:
Location:
Length: 45 minutes
Fee:

Violin Group Class C
This class is for students who have completed the book 1 Minuets through Hunters Chorus in volume 2. Emphases are on review all technical skills and improve ensemble playing and musicality.

Time:
Location:
Length: 45 minutes
Fee:

Violin Group Class D
This class is for students who are working on mostly the second half of Volume 2. Emphases are on tone production, musicality and review.

Time:
Location:
Length: 45 minutes
Fee:

Viola Group Classes

Viola Group Class
This course is for viola students in early volume 1 through early volume 2. Emphases are on posture, bow hold and tone production. Games and beginning theory are part of this course.

Time:
Location:
Length: 45 minutes
Fee:

Cello Group Classes

Cello Group Class
This course is for cello students in early volume 1 through early volume 2. Emphases are on posture, bow hold and tone production. Games and beginning theory are part of this course.

Time:
Location: 
Length: 45 minutes
Fee:

Withdrawal Policy
Students wishing to withdraw from the program must give written notice to the director.

If notification is received before the student's first week of class attendance, the student will not be responsible for the semester's tuition.

After beginning of classes/lessons, and upon receipt of written notice, tuition refunds will be made according to the following schedule:

Notification received after the first week of class attendance -- 90% of semester's tuition refunded

Notification received after the second week of class attendance -- 80% of semester's tuition refunded.

Notification received after the fourth week of class attendance¡ª50% of semester's tuition refunded.

There will be no tuition refund after the fifth week of class attendance.

? Cancellations
  please make every effort to cancel lessons 24 hours in advance by calling the private teacher directly.
  It is the student's/parents' responsibility to inform the private teacher of all changes.

? Make-up lesson
  one make-up lesson/class will be given for students' excused absence.