Your Questions, Answered.

Children can start as young as 3 years old! Age is less important than your child’s individual readiness. Contact us at lakewoodsuzukistrings@gmail.com to schedule a free phone consultation and find out if your child is ready.

Enroll at any time! Lessons begin based on availability. Reach out to us at lakewoodsuzukistrings@gmail.com to get started.

Not at all! No prior experience is required—just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

We operate in Lakewood Ohio, conveniently on the west side of Cleveland.  While our main hub is the Lakewood High School Performing Arts Wing, we offer viola, cello, and violin lessons at several locations in Lakewood.

Yes! Homeschool families love the Suzuki Method for its emphasis on parent involvement and the social benefits of weekly group classes. Learn more about homeschool options.

Developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, this teaching philosophy nurtures musical ability in an environment similar to language learning. It emphasizes listening, repetition, and parent involvement. Read more here.

Key differences include:

• Musical ability is nurtured in all children.
• Lessons often start as early as 3 years old.
• Parents are active participants in the learning process.
• Children learn through listening before reading music.
• Frequent performances foster confidence and growth.

Dr. Suzuki was a violinist, educator, and humanitarian. He believed every child has unlimited potential and that music education should nurture character as well as skill.

Yes! Homeschool families love the Suzuki Method for its emphasis on parent involvement and the social benefits of weekly group classes. Learn more about homeschool options here.

Lakewood Suzuki Strings tuition consists of a Monthly Lesson Fee plus a Monthly Group Program Fee. The Monthly Lesson Fee is based on 45 weeks of private lessons during the calendar year; the total amount of lesson fees for the entire year is divided into equal monthly payments, so you always know what to expect on your bill. The Monthly Group Program Fee of $54/month includes Wednesday night group activities, recitals, parent classes, pianist fees, and a variety of other performance opportunities. The Group Program Fee is waived for the summer months of June, July, and August.

New students may begin with private lessons at any time! There may be a prorated tuition fee depending upon when you decide to join.

New students at LSS begin with private lessons only, and join group class by the next group enrollment period - either September or February.

Due to the constraints on our time in our lesson space as well as the strain placed on the teachers’ schedule, our policy is as follows: there are no make-ups or tuition credits for lessons missed by the student. All private lessons missed by a teacher will be made up, either in person or online. In some cases a substitute teacher may be used for lessons missed by a teacher. There are no tuition credits or make-ups for missed or cancelled group classes. We strongly encourage regular attendance for all students, as consistency is the number one most important key to each student’s success.

The group class component of Lakewood Suzuki Strings is a cornerstone of the Suzuki Method, and is one of the reasons that our program is different from traditional music lessons or a non-Suzuki studio. All students of LSS participate in group activities appropriate to their level. The group program fee is $54 per month, and is billed in addition to the private lesson fee for the months of September through May. Payment of the group fee is required for all students regardless of participation or attendance at group activities. (An exception is made for students who begin lessons between group enrollment periods; those students will join a group appropriate to their level at the next group enrollment cycle in either September or February.) The Group Program Fee is waived for the summer months of June through August.

Lakewood Suzuki Strings tuition is all-inclusive for regular program activities - there are no hidden fees for solo recital participation, piano rehearsals, parent classes, or other group performances. The only extra fee you may anticipate from LSS is if your child needs a beginner’s kit, which includes a foam violin, dowel bow, shoulder sponge, and foot chart. Beginner’s kits are for children under the age of 7 who are starting violin or viola.

Please note that tuition fees are subject to change, and do not include the cost of instrument rental or materials purchases.