What is the Suzuki Method?
The Suzuki method is based on the philosophy of Japanese violin teacher Shin’ichi Suzuki, who believed that “every child can learn at a high level if given the right environment”. He suggested that if children are able to learn their home language and dialect perfectly, then correspondingly, all children will also be able to learn to play music, and based the method on the way we learn language: through exposure, imitation, encouragement, repetition, addition, and refinement. Parents are involved at every step of the way, working with the teachers to create a successful learning environment.
Our Suzuki Program
Our Suzuki Program at BKCM offers programs in violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, piano and flute. All Suzuki students participate in a three-part curriculum that provides the essentials needed for instrumental music education: private lessons, group/theory classes and yearly group & solo recitals.
PRIVATE LESSONS
In private lessons, the student, teacher, and parent make a “Suzuki Triangle.” The parent’s job is especially important. They attend their child’s lessons and take notes so no instruction is lost. Parents are the child’s practice partners, helping them tackle assignments with humor and support. This allows the child to observe their own progress and experience how hard work makes playing an instrument easy and fun. Patience and trust lead to celebration! Our skilled faculty guides families through each stage of musical development – often for over a decade – forging a profound musical bond that can last for life.
GROUP & THEORY CLASSES
Alongside private lessons, Group and Theory classes are critical components of our Suzuki Program. Suzuki parents also attend group and theory classes and fold weekly assignments into their daily practice. Over the course of their time in the program, students become role models and leaders in their group classes. When they’re ready, they face the challenge of being less experienced and looking to others as role models. Both positions build motivation and valuable confidence and leadership skills that can help them in all areas of their lives.
PERFORMANCES
Students in the Suzuki Program perform at least four times per year in solo recitals and group showcases. Performing takes practice, so we provide students with performance classes throughout the semester, preparing them to step onstage completely at ease with the music they have chosen. These opportunities nurture self-assurance, resilience, and confidence. Attending these performances deepens listening skills and focus and instills a lifelong love of music, allowing us to celebrate each child’s progress and strengthen our community.
Orientation & Enrollment
Parent Orientations
Suzuki is an annual program. The first step in this extraordinary journey is signing up for a required Parent Orientation in the winter of the year before your family plans to enroll.
There are no more orientations for families starting in Fall 2025, and we will announce new orientation dates for Fall 2026 this fall.
During the orientation, the Suzuki Director will discuss the Suzuki philosophy, educational approach, and the important role parents play in the child’s progress. Attendees will also be informed of scheduling requirements and what to expect during the first semester.
After attending an orientation, families will schedule an intake interview and observation days where they get to see Suzuki lessons and group classes in action.
How to Apply
Registration for the 2024-25 Suzuki Instrumental Program is now closed. If you are interested in joining the Suzuki Program in Fall 2025, please join our BKCM Suzuki Instrumental Program Interest List to stay in the loop.
Registration for SECE & Suzuki Bridges is Open!
For parents with very little ones, we highly recommend exploring our Fall 2024 Suzuki Early Childhood Education program (for ages 0-3K) and Suzuki Bridges class (for Pre-K and Kindergarten students)! Registration is open on a rolling basis.
“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you get by becoming your goals.” – Henry David Thoreau
Tuition Breakdown
FULL SUZUKI PACKAGE
Includes private lessons, group instrumental class and theory class, two recitals and two festival concerts. Prices for the 2024-2025 school year, for 30 weeks:
- 30 minute lesson package – $4,365
- 45 minute lesson package – $4,905
- 60 minute lesson package – $5,445
- 75 minute lesson package – $6,105
- 90 minute lesson package – $6,825
Financial Aid is available! If you’d like to apply now, please submit your application here.
If you have any questions regarding Financial Aid, email Kris.Mandapat@bkcm.org.
ADDITIONAL FEES
$260 Materials Fee for 2024-2025: Includes Puppy Pack, Suzuki Book 1, Helping Parents Practice, Nurtured by Love, and parent information materials.
$45 Registration Fee for 2024-2025: The registration fee is charged upon registration and is non-refundable. This fee is paid once per family per school year.
$45 Payment Plan Fee for 2024-2025: If you choose to enroll in one of our payment plan options, you will be charged the payment plan fee which is paid once per family per year.
$45 Late/Missed Payment Fee for 2024-2025
SUPPLEMENTARY LESSONS
Additional private lessons outside of the package. Prices per lesson for 2024-2025 school year:
- 30 minutes – $99
- 45 minutes – $128
- 60 minutes- $152
- 75 minutes – $173
- 90 minutes – $190
The Suzuki Parent
Our faculty has immense respect for the dedication of parents and caregivers. We know that parents work extremely hard, and Suzuki parents are some of the hardest-working parents there are!
The Suzuki Parents/Caregiver attends parent classes, accompanies the child to lessons, communicates with the teacher, and works with the child at home. They are the container of information.
We have an incredible Suzuki community here at the Brooklyn Conservatory for which we are all very grateful. That’s because we work together to build a life-long musical journey for children. As Suzuki said, “Music polishes the heart.”
Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) & Bridges
Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE)
Ages 0-3K • Saturdays & Mondays
SECE creates a nurturing and supportive environment for young students to develop their musical abilities as well as social skills and connection. During each class, teachers will lead families through a curriculum of songs, rhymes and activities designed to keep children engaged in a calm, focused environment.
Suzuki Bridges
Pre-K and Kindergarteners • Wednesdays
Suzuki Bridges provides the perfect bridge between the movement and singing of Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes and our immersive, world-class Suzuki Instrumental Program.
Suzuki String Orchestras
Praeludium & Sinfonia Strings
Ages 7-18 • Sundays • 1:20-2:10 pm
BKCM offers two string orchestras for both Suzuki and CMS students: Praeludium Strings, for students with beginning or intermediate reading skills (middle of I Can Read Music Volume I or equivalent), and Sinfonia Strings, for students with more advanced reading skills and at least 5-6 years on their instrument.
These orchestras are open to all violin, viola, cello and bass students by audition. Students perform a variety of repertoire from standard string orchestral pieces to classical, pop and improvisation. Students expand their sight-reading skills, while developing the ability to follow a conductor and play together. Students are encouraged to practice ensemble repertoire with their private lesson teacher.
Suzuki Program Faculty
The Suzuki Program’s faculty is made up of dedicated, caring music educators who bring musical skill, nurturing spirit and training grounded in Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy and method to every relationship with students and their parents.
Get to know our faculty at the link below!