The Program
At Lakewood Suzuki Strings, you and your child are guided every step of the way to ensure your child is set up for success. Here are the components of the program!
Weekly Private Lessons
Students and parents attend a weekly private lesson with a Suzuki-trained teacher. Your teacher will tailor lessons according to your child's specific needs, and guide you on how to practice with your child in a positive environment at home. Detailed assignments and practice charts are given by your teacher so practicing sessions are fun and effective. Beginner level private lessons are 30 minutes. The teacher, student, and parent commit to a specific weekly lesson time for the full semester.
Weekly Group Class
Weekly 45-minute group classes offer an engaging learning environment where students play their instrument among peers, build confidence in a motivating environment, and learn important teamwork and communication skills. Group class fosters relationships between students and builds community amongst Lakewood Suzuki Strings families, making the learning experience social and fun! Group Classes occur weekly on Wednesday evenings.
Monthly Parent Class
Parent Class is an opportunity for Lakewood Suzuki Strings parents to dive deeper into the Suzuki Method of learning and discuss how to support your child’s musical growth with other parents and teachers. Each class centers around a resource - an article, book, or journal - for parents to discuss. Attending parent class helps build relationships among program families, and offers a supportive environment for parents to share practice strategies amongst each other.Parent Classes occur once monthly during your child's’ regular group class time.
Performances
Performance is an important element of any musical education. Sharing with an audience helps cultivate self-assurance, grit, and focus in each student. Throughout the year, LSS hosts performing opportunities in the form of studio solo recitals, group class concerts, outreach performances in the community, and solo book graduation recitals.
Daily Practice & Listening
Home practice and daily listening are integral to your child's musical development; this is how they improve, building their discipline and confidence! Home practice begins at 15 to 30 minutes per day and should be treated as part of your child’s routine so it becomes a habit.
Besides practicing, students also listen to their music to develop a sense of tone and artistry. Suzuki recordings are available for purchase on platforms such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, or as a CD.
Tuition
Lakewood Suzuki Strings tuition is divided up into two fees: the Monthly Lesson Fee and the Suzuki Program Fee. The Lesson Fee is paid monthly throughout the year and the Suzuki Program Fee is paid bi-annually in the fall and spring.
There is no Suzuki Program Fee over the summer months of June-August.
Monthly Lesson Fee
The monthly lesson fee begins at $150 for beginner students, and includes weekly 30-minute lessons.
Suzuki Program Fee
The Suzuki program fee of $370 is paid in bi-annually through the Lakewood Recreation Department. The Suzuki Program Fee covers fall and spring group activities outside of private lessons such as weekly group classes, monthly parent classes, and performances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Suzuki Method? More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach.
Where are you Located? Lakewood Suzuki Strings is located in Lakewood, Ohio. We are conveniently on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio where your child can receive viola or violin lessons outside Cleveland.
What is the difference between Suzuki and traditional music lessons? Some basic differences that the Suzuki Method apart from other music lessons are the following: Suzuki teachers believe that musical ability can be developed in all children. Students begin at young ages. Parents play an active role in the learning process. Children become comfortable with the instrument before learning to read music. Technique is taught in the context of pieces rather than through dry technical exercises. Pieces are refined through constant review. Students perform frequently, individually and in groups.
When should I put my child in Music? Lakewood Suzuki Strings offers their music program to toddlers and preschool children as young as 4 years old. Every child is different and some are ready to start earlier and some it’s best to wait when they are a few years older. Readiness is based on your child’s skill rather than age. Factors to see if your child is ready for music lessons: Ability to make eye contact Ability to answer basic yes/no questions Interest/excitement to play an instrument Ability to follow directions from an adult other than the parent Both the Child and the Parent have to be ready to enroll in music. Your child will have to have you as their support and daily practice partner which can be 10 minutes a day when you start out. This commitment to showing up daily helps your child through many stages of life and practices discipline. The most important factor for young children’s success is the parent’s dedication.
How do I go about renting or purchasing an instrument? Don’t buy or rent an instrument right away! When your child first starts, they will begin on a box violin provided by Lakewood Suzuki Strings. This allows your child to focus on building good habits and techniques without getting overwhelmed. Once your child has graduated from the box violin, they are ready for their first real instrument! You will need a full "outfit" which includes the following: violin or viola, bow, case, and rosin and the instrument MUST be approved by LSS faculty before purchasing to check for correct size and quality. There are many “violin shaped” objects or “violin toys” that can be found on the internet and in music shops, but they don’t work properly and will only frustrate your child. When your child is ready and has been sized by their teacher, renting and buying are good options and it all depends on what works best for you. We recommend the following reputable businesses to rent or purchase an instrument: Cleveland Violins (216) 791-2440 carlinviolins.com 2026 Murray Hill Rd Cleveland, OH 44106 Terri Carlins(216) 791-2440 carlinviolins.com 2026 Murray Hill Rd Cleveland, OH 44106 Shar Music sharmusic.com Online shop with all size instruments. Recommended brand is Franz Hoffman Amadeus.
It’s mid semester and past enrollment period, but I still want to enroll my child in Lakewood Suzuki Strings? What should I do? Registration is always open and is based on The monthly lesson and the Suzuki program. The Suzuki Program enrollement is biannual and occurs in February and September. The Monthly Lessons registration is always open and once the Suzuki Program enrollment is open, your child can enroll!
What Materials should I purchase? Beginner Student Materials Suzuki Violin School, Volume 1 – International Edition (preferred) with recording. The book should include a book and CD. If you don’t have access to a CD player, you can also purchase recordings by violinist Hilary Hahn on Apple Music, Amazon, or Alfred Music. Music stand for home practice Microfiber cleaning cloth A notebook specifically for violin lessons to take lesson notes Metronome / Tuner – recommended brand is Korg Parent Class Materials Nurtured by Love - by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki Beyond the Music Lesson: Habits of Successful Suzuki Families -by Christine Goodner
Is it okay that as a parent I’m not a musician? Absolutely. It is not needed or important that parents have previous musical experience in order to guide your child in practice. The most important traits that you need is commitment to nurture daily practice habits, taking notes during lessons, and a willingness to learn new things about your child!
Why are there two classes per week, and what is the difference between the individual lesson and group class? The Suzuki students in the LSS program have both an individual lesson and a group class each week. This combination is an essential feature of the Suzuki Program, and sets it apart between other general music classes. In the individual lesson, students receive one-on-one attention to work in detail on their playing. In group class, it is a fun, low-pressure environment where they can try out skills with other children their own age, while being super motivating. Playing an instrument can be changeling and hard work, but seeing friends helps develop the resilience to make it through the hard work.
What is Lakewood Suzuki Strings? Lakewood Suzuki Strings is a Suzuki Method Program offering instruction in violin and viola to children 4-11 years. We are dedicated to nurturing confidence, discipline, and grit through the Suzuki Method. We offer Violin lessons and Viola lessons within a social setting in Lakewood, Ohio.
What Age Can You Start Suzuki? The early years are crucial for developing mental processes and muscle coordination. Listening to music should begin at birth; formal training may begin at age three or four, but it is never too late to begin.
Who is Suzuki? Shinichi Suzuki was a violinist, educator, philosopher and humanitarian. Born in 1898, he studied violin in Japan for some years before going to Germany in the 1920s for further study. After the end of World War II, Dr. Suzuki devoted his life to the development of the method he calls Talent Education. Suzuki based his approach on the belief that “Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited.” Dr. Suzuki’s goal was not simply to develop professional musicians, but to nurture loving human beings and help develop each child’s character through the study of music.
What is the best age to put my child in music? Your child is never too old and never too young to start music lessons. Lakewood Suzuki Strings offers Viola lessons and violin lessons for children as young as 4 years old. But the most important factor in starting your child in music is the parent’s commitment and the child’s responsiveness to basic questions and following directions.
How do I enroll my child in Lakewood Suzuki Strings? Enrollment is open in January, May and August every year through the Lakewood Recreation Department. Here are the steps to Enroll: 1) Book a phone call with our Admin Staff to discuss your child’s readiness for the program and go over program details. (Email lakewoodsuzukistrings@gmail.com to book this phone call.) 2) Register for the program and pay tuition through the Lakewood Recreation Department website (registration link sent to you via email after Step 1). 3) Read through and sign the LSS contract (also sent to you via email after Step 1). 4) Congrats! You are fully enrolled in the LSS program. LSS Admin staff will email your semester schedule.
My child has lessons somewhere else but we want to start Suzuki. How can we transfer into Lakewood Suzuki Strings? All students are welcome into the Lakewood Suzuki Strings Program even if they are new to the Suzuki Method! To ensure your child will keep up with the other students in their group class, we offer the Transfer Package which helps bring them up to speed in time for the next enrollment period! The Transfer Package is required for students who have not had private lessons or don’t have experience in the Suzuki Method. The Transfer Package includes up to a full semester of 45-minute lessons only, with the expectation that the family will register for the full program by the next enrollment period.
How much is Tuition? The Lakewood Suzuki Strings Program offers Private lessons, group classes, parent classes, solo recitals, and community outreaches to set up your child for success in music and in every area of life. For more information on rates and tuition, please contact our admin office at lakewoodsuzukistrings@gmail.com
What is required of me as a Suzuki Parent? All you need as a Suzuki Parent is a commitment to be present, both physically and mentally, during all private lessons, group classes, and monthly parent classes! Taking notes during lessons and daily practice of 10 minutes a day with your child is a requirement to instill good practice habits and help your child succeed.
Is my child too old to start in the Suzuki Program? Lakewood Suzuki Strings on the westside of Cleveland, Ohio, delivers high-quality violin lessons for students of all ages and skill levels. That means that all children are welcome to start in the Suzuki Program at Lakewood Suzuki Strings! While Dr. Suzuki’s vision was to start children before they started Kindergarten, students of all ages join the Suzuki Program, including occasionally adults. Older children don't require the same hands-on from a parent, but we still encourage a parent to attend all lessons, group classes, and practices to support their child's growth. While older children may learn differently than a child that is much younger, they still need the support from a parent and will benefit from the involvement.
Have more questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Why should I choose Lakewood Suzuki Strings?At Lakewood Suzuki Strings, your child will receive a comprehensive music education that includes both private lessons and social settings, all while cultivating important skills such as develop discipline, confidence, and self-esteem — skills that they will use throughout their lifetime. LSS faculty are professional musicians who devote their lives to high quality music education of children and have advanced performance degrees from prestigious conservatories such as the Cleveland Institute of Music and Oberlin Conservatory, have been trained by the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and have over 20 years of collective teaching experience. Our trained faculty helps guide and support each parent exactly how to practice with their child and develop their child's love for music.
-
How old does my child have to be to join?Children may start as young as 3 years old! Starting an instrument has less to do with age and more to see if your child is ready. To find out if your child is ready to take on an instrument, contact us today to set up a free phone consultation at lakewoodsuzukistrings@gmail.com.
-
When can I start?Enroll at any time - our doors are always open! Depending on lesson availability, we are happy to get you and and your child started whenever you're ready! Contact us at lakewoodsuzukistrings@gmail.com for more information.
-
What is the difference between a Suzuki program and traditional music lessons?Suzuki programs are more comprehensive and involved than traditional music lessons. Suzuki involves weekly one-on-one instruction, parent participation in private lessons, group classes with other students, and parent involvement in daily home practice.
-
Does my child need previous musical experience?Not at all! No musical experience is necessary to begin in the LSS program. All you need is excitement and willingness to learn!
-
Where are you located?Lakewood Suzuki Strings is located in Lakewood, Ohio. We are conveniently on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio where your child can receive viola or violin lessons outside Cleveland.
