THE CORE PROGRAM

80% of our students enroll in SSN’s core curriculum, which consists of one weekly individual lesson, a group class, and a musicianship class. The average age of students entering the core program is five years old.

Individual Lessons involve student, parent, and teacher. There are 16 lessons per semester and lessons can be thirty, forty-five, or sixty minutes long. The length of the lesson is determined by the teacher and takes into account the child's age and skill level. Parents are present for the private lesson and take notes to use while supervising daily practice. Some lessons may involve the parent only to introduce specific instructional techniques and practice strategies, or for a parent/teacher conference about progress made during the year or in preparation for summer practice.

Group Class involves students at the same skill level - not necessarily of the same age – and a teacher. There are 15 group classes per semester, including Play-Ins and Group Recitals. The class provides an opportunity to experience the social aspects of music, learn from peers, polish pieces for performance, and review the repertoire.

Musicianship is a one-of-a-kind program of study designed to span the development of total musical ability from singing and movement games for our youngest students to composition and complex theoretical and harmonic analysis for our most advanced students.

Throughout the year, parents meet with faculty to discuss elements of the Suzuki philosophy and issues concerning your child’s development. Furthermore, the director is available for discussing any aspect of your child’s education at SSN.

To enroll in our core program, please click here.

Chamber Music is available to students who have completed Book 3. SSN encourages students of all levels to play in mixed instrument groups. Chamber ensembles are assigned based on availability of participants.

THE ADVANCED PROGRAM

The Advanced Program consists of a 30, 45 or 60-minute individual lesson and a 45-minute chamber ensemble coaching each week. Students in the advanced program perform on special recitals and ensemble concerts throughout the year and have opportunities for chamber music master classes and workshops with local and nationally recognized professional musicians and teachers.

Beginners programS

Early Beginners classes are designed for children ages 4 to 5 who demonstrate instrument readiness skills. Children are admitted to these classes by interview with the individual instrument teacher. Class size is limited to three students. There are 16 small group lessons that provide basic understanding of the chosen instrument as well as solfege training. In order to assess each student’s progress, the class is divided periodically so that each student receives a private 15-20 minute lesson that focuses on the instrument. The following year, most children enter the core curriculum. The program offers fifteen 45 minute lessons for classes of three students and fifteen 30 minute lessons for classes of two students. Click here for the schedule.  Click here for the registration form.

Suzuki Prep classes are designed for children ages 2 to 4 and an adult caregiver. Students sing, move to music, perform pre-instrumental Suzuki activities, and hear live instrument demonstrations from the SSN faculty. The class introduces the student and parent to the Suzuki Method and prepares the child for Suzuki instrumental study.