We believe that every child can and deserves to learn music. The Suzuki Method uses the "mother tongue" approach, where your child will learn music how they learned to speak, through listening, gentle positive teaching, and lots of practice. Parents don't need to know any music, you will learn alongside your child.
3 and up
$130 a month (later $165)
30 min, weekly
Any week
Dr. Suzuki created his method from a very powerful idea: every child can learn music the same way every child learns to speak. Children hear a piece many times before they play it, they learn by ear first and read sheet music later, and they repeat small steps until each one feels easy. Each student's lesson plan is designed to progress that unique individual student at his or her own pace, with the ultimate goal being to help build a "more noble person" rather than to play a certain piece or to complete a book. Along the journey to making a more thoughtful and empathetic human, your child will also be learning music at a very high quality. The Suzuki Method involves weekly private lessons, weekly or biweekly group class (coming later as our studio grows), and performing in recitals.
Parent participation is key to success in the Suzuki Method! Please be prepared to spend even more time than your child during the first year, learning how to do it yourself so you can facilitate good practice at home.
Tuition covers the weekly lesson. Group class and recitals are coming as the studio grows, and when they begin tuition becomes $165 a month and covers those as well. Nathan and Katie are both taking new students. Contact us to set up a no-cost interview.
If you are considering Suzuki, please reach out to us with any questions. You will be expected to have your own instrument, and also do daily or near-daily practice.
Nathan runs one of the few Suzuki guitar programs in the country. He is a Suzuki and classically trained guitarist, having gone through all 9 of the Suzuki guitar books himself as a student, and then studying under Jason Vieaux for several years after that. He also has a profound love of teaching children, and has many years of experience working with children at Mountain Stewardship and Outdoor Leadership School.
Katie is focused on the beginnings, creating a strong foundation for students to start their musical journey so that they can then take it in any direction. She specializes in folk music and Old Time Fiddle, and creates a blended program where young Suzuki students will also learn a few fun tunes that they can play in jams. Katie also has a deep love of teaching, and her style is very gentle and paced to meet your child's needs.
Suzuki asks more of parents than most lessons do. You sit in on the lesson with your child, take notes, and guide a short practice at home most days. For the first book you will be doing more of the work than your child is. The families who love this method are the ones who treat it as something they are learning together. If that is more than you want to take on right now, our old-time fiddle and guitar lessons are a lower-commitment way to start, and we are glad to point you there instead.
Please review our full list of Studio Policies here. All students must have a signed copy on file.
Do we need any musical background?
No, neither of you. Most families start with no musical experience at all, and the method is built for exactly that. The parent learns alongside the child.
How young can my child start?
Around three for most children, but it depends far more on the child than the birthday. The first meeting will tell you.
Do we need to buy an instrument first?
No. Come empty-handed. For guitar we will help you size one before you buy; for violin we may be able to loan a fractional-sized instrument.
Do I have to stay for the lesson?
Yes, and that is the point. The parent learns alongside the child so practice at home has someone to guide it.
Do you only start in the fall?
No. There are no semesters, so you can start any week of the year.
Tell us a little about your child and we will set up a time to meet. There is no cost and no obligation to enroll.
You can also email katie@mapleandsprucefolkarts.com or call (304) 314-4506.
