Registration for Spring 2026 Mondays & Thursdays is open now!
Age Range: 0-3K
Tuition: $814 for 15 weeks
Spring 2026 Schedule (15 Weeks):
- Mondays: 2/2/26 – 6/1/26: Taught by Ruth Klukoff and Aaron Van Heyningen
- Section 1: 9:30-10:30 AM
- Section 2: 10:45-11:45 AM
- Thursdays: 2/12/26 – 6/11/26: Taught by Ruth Klukoff and Shayna Dulberger
- Section 1: 9:30-10:30 AM
- Section 2: 10:45-11:45 AM
What is SECE?
In our Suzuki Early Childhood Education program, teachers lead families through a curriculum of songs, rhymes and activities designed to keep children engaged in a calm, focused environment. Taking turns and collaborating on familiar activities, students develop social skills and connection! Teachers make use of various instruments such as the triangle, xylophone, woodblock and drums to enhance and nurture the foundational development of pitch and rhythm necessary to begin private instrumental study when they are older. The occasional guest may even demonstrate an instrument from our Suzuki Instrumental Program!
Our Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes are offered in the spring and fall semesters, with rolling admissions. Tuition will be prorated for families joining mid-semester. Families may register one semester at a time.
Registration & Financial Aid
Registration for Spring 2026 SECE classes is now open! To register, complete the following steps:
- Click here to create a Registration account (for new families).
- Fill out BKCM’s Student & Family Survey.
- Click here to complete your registration online.
If you have any questions, please call the registration desk at 718-622-3300. If you cannot take the class this semester, but would like updates in the future, join the SECE Interest List for periodic updates.
Financial Aid is available. Please submit your application here or contact BKCM’s financial aid officer, Kris Mandapat: kris.mandapat@bkcm.org for more information.
Withdrawal Policy
Students may withdraw from this class up to 24 hours before the 3rd scheduled class of the semester for a refund/credit, minus the classes that have occurred and fees.
SECE Teachers
Ruth Klukoff • Mondays & Thursdays
Ruth Klukoff teaches violin and Suzuki Early Childhood Education at BKCM, and is also a member of the Strings Department at BKCM’s Community Music School. Born and raised in the South, Ruth performed for 10 years in the pit with OperaTampa, under the direction of Anton Coppola. She also freelanced in the area, playing for Broadway musicals, plays, weddings, and charity events. Prior to joining BKCM’s Suzuki program, Ruth taught at Gulfwinds Montessori School, Perkins Elementary School for Arts and International Studies, Eckerd College and the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School.
Shayna Dulberger • Thursdays
Shayna Dulberger has been teaching music in New York City since 2006. She completed her training in 2021 with Suzuki Teacher Trainer Virginia Dixon and is a registered Suzuki Teacher for all of the published Bass Books, 1 through 5. Shayna also completed her level 1 Suzuki Early Childhood training with Lynn McCall, the first teacher trainer for SECE in the U.S. Shayna has put together her own pre-Twinkle book for very young beginners.
Aaron Van Heyningen • Mondays
Aaron Van Heyningen has been on the Suzuki faculty at BKCM since 2013, teaching violin students and leading Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes. He is inspired by Dr. Suzuki, who lived through turbulent times and still managed to work tirelessly to create a more beautiful world through education, compassion, and music. Aaron holds a B.M. from New York University and a M.M. from the University of Akron.
Suzuki Bridges
Is your little one in Pre-K or Kindergarten? We encourage you to explore our Suzuki Bridges program, which is meant as a bridge for slightly older children into our world-class Suzuki Instrumental Program!