Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy is based on the mother tongue approach to learning. How can young children learn to speak so fluently without the help of reading or formal training? Through observations made while in Germany, Suzuki concluded that children have a great deal of innate ability. By listening and imitating the language spoken in the home, children develop their oral skills through aural repetition. And this is accomplished in the home by parents faithfully working with their babies, teaching them to speak.

UNDERSTANDING - Become acquainted with the method and philosophy of Dr. Suzuki. Read excerpts together from Nurtured by Love, by Dr. Suzuki . Many other books of the method are available including Ability Development by Dr. Suzuki, To Learn With Love, written by William Starr (who has contributed tremendously by making the method accessible to all in this country). Many wonderful teachers have since followed with many publications. We have a wonderful bibliography which we would be happy to share with you upon request.

LISTENING is essential to learning music in the "mother tongue" approach. Playing the CD’s or recordings is a daily event taking place informally and also scheduled regularly by the parent. It can be part of a routine or informally done by the child as long as the parent makes sure listening of the CD takes place.

MASTERY comes through many repetitions. Children begin this method at an early age and enjoy the repetitions. Let your child set the pace. The musical training will be child-led and parent supervised.

PARENTS PARTICIPATE in the life of the child by encouraging the child to develop what is known as talent. Hence, you have a talent training program in your home. The commitment of the parent to developing the skills on a step-by-step basis is crucial. Child input is not necessary but helpful in teaching responsibility .

GETTING STARTED - How does a parent gets started with a successful Suzuki learning experience? You will be asked to set an appointment for an orientation which both parents will attend without the children. We will discuss many things at the orientation including responsibility of student and parents, purchasing or renting instruments, what additional equipment will be necessary (stands, benches, etc.) and you will also be able to purchase the books and CD's at that time. Bring a notebook in case you'd like to take some notes.

1. Set up practice time in a particular place in the home. It should be not in competition with electronic entertainment but very accessible to the child. A CD-player should be located nearby with music and instrument.
   
   
2. The main task of the parent is to establish a listening routine in the home. It could be anywhere, everywhere. Daily listening is necessary for the success of the student. This can be made enjoyable or playful or consider it a night time ritual while resting. Singing, humming, or moving to the music all help with the aural training. Keep it in the car and listen to it to-and-from.
   
   
3. No one is able to become ‘talented’ without effort and dedication. The Talent Education program of creates the ability within their child through commitment and out of love. This parallels the way language is acquired through many repetitions, imitations observations. But the most important keynote is this: Daily listening and repetition stimulates growth, resulting in the internalization of a skill. Hence ability grows into what we call talent.
   
   
4. A quality instrument is essential for the child to respond to the sound. The chosen instrument, violin, viola or piano must have a good tone and pleasing tone. If the child is learning a stringed instrument, he /she needs to have ownership of the instrument. String players need the proportionally correct size as well. Keyboards are not acceptable. What contributes a good practice is lighting and placement of the instrument in an accessible location. The child must be at the correct level at the piano keyboard and must be fitted for a foot stool.
   
   
5. And lastly the parent must attend the lesson with the student each week.

It does not end with practice - it is a process of enriching the home environment. Many concert opportunities exist outside of the home. Using orchestra concerts and community folk festivals can make your child aware of the richness of music in their lives.

Group Lessons are vital to the method -without the opportunity to be heard by others, much is lost. They are called special events that occur during the semester, culminating in the recital at the end of the school year. Pre-twinklers have small groups on a bi-monthly basis.

• September: games nights
• October: Make a Difference Day "play-in"at Meadowood Retirement Community
• November: Open Mike Night
• December: Holiday Party
• January: Irish Fiddling
• February: Special Valentine Event
• March: Group Review
• April: Play-in at the Franklin Institute
• May-June: Get ready for the Recital
• Auguest: Music Mayhem

The recital at the end of the year brings closure to the school year. Its purpose is to evaluate yourself and demonstrate your progress to other students. There is an opportunity for anyone to prepare a solo and at six weeks of lessons is focused on polishing your piece. We recommend that your child play a piece that they've been working on all year. The teacher and student decide together which piece will be played at the recital.

Groups of students will play together. This includes trios, the viola choir and duos among the students. Dress rehearsals are scheduled. Proper etiquette is reviewed.

Dress for the concert is black and white and is held at the Schwenkfelder Church in Worcester. A small pot-luck reception follows the recital.

Area-wide concerts take place twice a year. The teacher choose which students will attend.

Graduation programs are sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association and take place in March with a performance. The student’s performance needs to meet the criteria of the listening points for the graduation piece. A "Listening Committee" makes the decision by review a taping of the student’s piece.

Church worship services are all opportunities for performance.

Summer Suzuki Institutes take place weekly across the country. Ask for information regarding times locations, costs, scholarships, etc. A family should plan to go to an institute at least one year.

Lessons are arranged by semesters that follow the school year. Each semester is ten weeks in length.with nine lessons scheduled. The tenth week can be used for a make-up lesson or it can be used for make-up lesson for a future event where you know in advance that your child will miss a lesson.

Length of the lesson is due to many factors is discussed at enrollment time.

Sickness: Children who are ill need to be at home resting and can make up the lesson on the 10th week.

Snow or Icy Conditions: Come to a lesson only if you feel safe driving your child to the lesson. I would, however, appreciate a phone call as soon as you have determined that you won't be able to make the trip.

Any missed lesson can be made up during the tenth week but it cannot be carried to the next semester.

The summer semester is split into two parts: the May-June and July- August. Please sign up in May for the number of lessons you will be taking in the summer months.

An invoice will be sent via e-mail or regular mail each semester at your preference. Payments are due the first week of each semester.

Registration includes a processing fee of $20 dollars.

Early enrollment discounts: If you sign up by June 30 you will received a 10% discount on your tuition for the fall semester. The registration fee holds your lesson place.

Two recitals are scheduled during the year. The Holiday Party is my fall recital. Everyone is invited to come and bring a treat and a song to sing. The last day of school Recital is at the Schwenkfelder Church in Worsester and is mandatory. There is a $10 fee per family for the use of the facility and a $5 fee per student for the accompianist.

Groups / Ensembles will be scheduled throughout the year. Guest teachers may also be at the workshops. Opportunities like these enrich your child’s life.

"Only practice the days that you are eating" - a paraphrase of Dr. Suzuki

Consistency and commitment to daily routine of listening and playing will result in a successful musical experience Parent and teacher work together to support a child’s learning environment. The parent needs to attend the lesson and also the practice. Parents are responsible for the listening to the CD. Her are some guidelines for lesson preparation.

Parents are required to be present and making observations in the notebook.

Younger siblings are welcome but they must sit quietly during the lesson. Although we do have some books and blocks in the studio, the sibling might be happier with some of his or her own busy work.

The studio entrance is in the back of the house. Once you come in the door you will see coat hooks for your coats & jackets. Please also remove your shoes before entering the studio. There are slippers at the entrance for you to borrow or feel welcome to bring your own slippers for your own comfort.

Students may wash their hands before coming into the studio. The bathroom is accessible through the kitchen.

Everyone is welcome to observe others taking lessons. This is part of the Suzuki experience.

Students should take out their violin from the case upon arrival. Place case in the entrance way or on the bench in the studio. Parents of piano students should set up the correct height of the bench and stool for the lesson.

Your lesson begins and ends with a bow.

An assignment sheet is made up each week and should be followed consistently.

E-mail me or call me with any questions or to discuss any problems as they arise. If your child feels overwhelmed, we can work at making adjustments until the child finds his or her comfort zone. Good communication is important - do not hesitate to ask about anything.