Suzuki Classes
Mary Margaret Wilson
Director
Emme Whisner
Administrative Assistant
Suzuki Piano and Guitar
Suzuki is a unique method for teaching young children to play musical instruments. Our Suzuki instructors have all been trained by registered Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) teacher trainers. Suzuki instruction is currently offered in guitar and piano. Children as young as four years old may register for Suzuki instruction.
Nearly 50 years ago, Shinichi Suzuki realized that the principles of how children learned to speak their native language could be applied to learning music. Suzuki called his method the “mother-tongue approach.” He included the ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, and constant repetition as features of the Suzuki approach.
Private lessons and group classes are included in each Suzuki session. Parents are required to attend the lessons as they will be the coaches in home practicing.
Before registering, parents and children are required to attend a lesson or class observation, if possible, to gain a deeper understanding of the method.
Suzuki parents must also attend an educational session held once in early September/late August and once in early January. All Suzuki parents are required to read Shinichi Suzuki's book "Nurtured by Love" to get a firm understanding of the method and how it was developed. Please also visit the Suzuki Association website for more information and please consider attending the one day "Every Child Can" course that is periodically offered by the association.
- Read more about the Suzuki Method.
Please complete this form to be added to our Suzuki piano waitlist.
Instruments
Students must provide their own instrument for lessons (except for piano) and have access to a practice instrument. An acoustic instrument is required for Suzuki Institute students. Digital or electronic instruments are not acceptable nor are electric or acoustic steel string guitars acceptable. UDCMS does not rent or sell instruments. There are several local companies that have instrument purchase and rental programs.
Our Suzuki program includes private lessons and group classes which are both considered essential to each student's development into a musician and a good person. The private lesson portion of the registration will function for the student's primary method in the acquisition of new material and technique on their instrument. In addition to the private lessons, students also join a group class which is considered to be the most essential part of Suzuki as it provides an opportunity for students to hear and see other students perform, perform with other students, perform for other students, and participate in musical games and activities that help to develop not only their musical understanding but also maintains the student's intrinsic motivation and desire to learn.
| Program | Structure | Fall/Spring(12 weeks) | Winter(6 weeks) | Summer(8 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar / Piano | weekly 30 minute private lesson with weekly 45 minute group class | $520 | $270 | $360 |
| Optional: With approval of instructor | weekly 45 minute private lesson with weekly 45 minute group class | $720 | $375 | $500 |
| Optional: With approval of instructor | weekly 60 minute private lesson with weekly 45 minute group class | $918 | $480 | $640 |
In addition to one 30-minute private lesson each week, Suzuki students will participate in either weekly or biweekly 45-minute group lessons per session. Status of group classes as weekly or biweekly has been determined by the instructor and CMS and is not negotiable. Participation in group classes is required. Group classes are essential for the success of students by helping students to gain experience in ensemble playing, learning theory, gaining new technical skills, and gaining a greater joy in their instrument and the process of learning.
We are currently not running Suzuki group classes but hope to return to them soon.
UDCMS offers Suzuki instruction aligning with our semesters:
- Fall Semester: September – mid-December
- Winter Semester: January – early February
- Spring Semester: February - April
- Summer Semester: May - July
Registration for our Suzuki piano and guitar classes is possible by selecting the instructors below for private lessons within our registration system.
- Parents interested in enrolling their children should contact the CMS office to be added to an appropriate waitlist from which openings are filled as they occur.
Instructor: Kevin Cope
- Guitar (email us at communitymusicschool@udel.edu to be added to our waitlist)
Instructor: Lydia Bak
- Piano (email us at communitymusicschool@udel.edu to be added to our waitlist)
Instructors will contact parents/students directly to set up private lesson schedule.
