Daytime classes available for Homeschooling families!
- We offer daytime classes to homeschool families and will often create a daytime class just for families wishing to attend classes during the day.
- In addition to our regular Suzuki instrument curriculum, we offer “general music” classes during the day for families who want children to receive an excellent, non-instrument specific music education.
- General music classes are taught in a “Dalcroze style“, which includes lots of movement, joy, and discovery of musical topics such as form, phrase, theory, score reading and much more.
Why offer classes for homeschool families?
To offer homeschool families a fun way to provide their children with music education. The Suzuki Method emphasizes several techniques and philosophies which often align with the goals of homeschooling parents. Here are a few:
You are the Suzuki Home Teacher
In the Suzuki Method, parents attend lessons with the child and serve as “home teachers” during the week. The role of the Suzuki “home teacher” naturally complements the role of the homeschooling parent because parental involvement is integral to the success of the method. Previous musical knowledge from the parent is not at all required because the teacher ensures that parents understand all unfamiliar technical and musical concepts.
Creating a Learning Space at Home
Homeschooling parents are already familiar with the task of creating a space for learning at home and they have the opportunity to work with their music teacher toward this end as well. Homeschooling families in our program frequently tell us that the insights they gain from their child’s Suzuki lessons are relevant and helpful to their home curriculum.
Developing the Whole Child
The purpose of music instruction is not to create professional musicians, but to develop the whole child through the study of music. 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. Our faculty also think of music as a means of teaching children skills like the ability to focus one’s attention, time management, goal-setting, the satisfaction of hard work (and accompanying success), teamwork, and self-assessment. These are valuable skills for all children, homeschooled or otherwise!
The Importance of Suzuki Group Classes
Group classes are designed to allow children to share their music with others, while we reinforce important skills introduced in the private lesson.The group experience teaches children how to play together and the social benefits are a tremendous aid in the motivation to practice at home. Group class also nurtures a sense of community among families as they get to know each other over the years they are in the program. Group classes also give local performances so children learn the value of doing something for their community and the joy of performing for an audience.