Basic ideas of the Suzuki philosophy
- Children begin lessons at an early age and learn to play by ear
- At least one parent is involved by attending each lesson and practicing daily with the child at home
- Parents play the Suzuki recordings at home each day. Listening develops the ear and helps the child progress more easily
- Working in small steps with lots of repetition builds the child’s concentration as well as their ability
- Taking group classes in addition to private lessons, as well as attending concerts, help motivate the child
What is Suzuki method?
Every Child Can Learn
More then 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 principle 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.
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.
The NY String Academy strongly believes in the Suzuki approach to music education. As such, the entire curriculum centers around this approach with active parental involvement.
Parent Involvement
As when a child learns to talk, parents are involved in the musical learning of their child. They attend lessons with the child and serve as “home teachers” during the week. One parent often learns to play before the child, so that s/he understands what the child is expected to do. Parents work with the teacher to create an enjoyable learning environment.
Early Beginning
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.
Listening
Children learn words after hearing them spoken hundreds of times by others. Listening to music every day is important, especially listening to pieces in the Suzuki repertoire so the child knows them immediately.
Repetition
Constant repetition is essential in learning to play an instrument. Children do not learn a word or piece of music and then discard it. They add it to their vocabulary or repertoire, gradually using it in new and more sophisticated ways.
Encouragement
As with language, the child’s effort to learn an instrument should be met with sincere praise and encouragement. Each child learns at his/her own rate, building on small steps so that each one can be mastered. Children are also encouraged to support each other’s efforts, fostering an attitude of
generosity and cooperation.
Learning with Other Children
In addition to private lessons, children participate in regular group lessons and performance at which they learn from an are motivated by each other.
Graded Repertoire
Children do not practice exercises to learn to talk, but use language for its natural purpose of communication and self-expression. Pieces in the Suzuki repertoire are designed to present technical problems to be learned in the context of the music rather than through dry technical exercises.
Delayed Reading
Children learn to read after their ability to talk has been well established. in the same way, children should develop basic technical competence on their instruments before being taught to read music.
(Much of this description of the “Suzuki Method” was taken directly from the Suzuki Association of the Americas’ website as the authorized source for all Suzuki material.)
Suzuki Parents’ Guide
Virtual Suzuki Violin Group Lesson
Suzuki Book Graduation Recital
1. Suzuki Book I Graduation Recital
2. Suzuki Book II Graduation Recital
Competition Winners
Great Composers Competition
The purpose of this competition is to use students’ imagination to create a story based on the research. Then become the composer, presenting and performing as the composer.
In the presentation, we saw how the students researched, how creatively the story was made, what costume they wore to express the composer well, and what accents and gestures they used to act more realistically.
In the performances, we looked at posture, tone quality, interpretation, character and completeness of the piece, and memorization.
Through this competition, rather than simply learning, memorizing, and playing pieces, we hope that our students can interact with the music more interestingly by understanding the background of the composer and the piece.
Teachers
NJ Suzuki School’s teachers are registered SAA (Suzuki Association of the Americas) and specially trained Suzuki method.
Reun Chung ( Violin / Founder & Director )
Cassandra Moore Lyons ( Violin )
Christine Mann ( Cello )
School Policy
Cancellation Policy
- All cancellation must be made at least 24 hours in advance. No make-ups for no show or same-day cancellation.
- Make-up Lessons may be given by different teachers in the school.
- All make-up lessons must be completed within the current term. No credits can be extended into the next term.
- Semester enrollment : Two excused student absence will be made up during the semester or make-up days at the end of the semester.
- Monthly enrollment : One excused student absence will be made up and must finish it on the same month.
- Each student is allowed to have two absence due to medical emergencies per semester. (If it’s necessary, a note from doctor must be submitted)
- There are no make-ups for group classes and ensembles missed by the student.
NJSSM School Policies
New Students
NJSSM is pleased to add new students whenever space is available. Don’t hesitate to contact us or stop by for enrollment and availability information.
Tuition
You may register for NJSSM by website, or in person. Please go to our website www.njsuzukischool.com and complete the online registration process. Then, please send the non-refundable registration fee of $50 per student and applicable tuition payment to:
NY String Academy
1224 Anderson ave 2F #1 Fort Lee, NJ 07024
All lessons, classes and workshops enrollment received without the appropriate tuition payment will not be processed until payment has been received.
Returned Checks
There is a $50 fee for all returned checks.
Late Payment
NJSSM reserves the right to suspend or terminate instruction for students who do not meet their financial obligations by the deadlines.
Withdrawals and refunds
All requests for withdrawal and tuition refund must be submitted, in writing, to General Manager. Verbal requests of intention to withdraw do not fulfill this requirement. Informing the teacher of intent to withdraw also is not considered notice of withdrawal. The effective date of withdrawal is the date that the written notice is received, not the last date of lesson or class. Please allow two to three weeks for the processing of refunds.
A $50 withdrawal fee will apply to all requests for tuition refund.
New students are allowed for full tuition refund without the withdrawal fee if the withdrawal request is submitted within 24 hours following the first session.
Withdrawal from 19 weeks Semester enrollment
Refunds will be made as follows:
Withdrawal made less than 14 days before the first session will receive a full tuition refund.
A pro-rated tuition refund will be given to students withdrawing after the first three sessions.
A 50% tuition refund will be given to students withdrawing after the fourth session.
There will be no refund for students withdrawing after the fifth session.
Withdrawal from any non-semester-based programs
Refunds will be made as follows:
Withdrawal made less than 14 days before the first session will receive a full tuition refund.
A 50% tuition refund will be given to students withdrawing after the first session.
No refund will be granted to students withdrawing after the second session.
Withdrawal from summer programs
Refunds will be made as follows:
Withdrawal made less than 14 days before the first session will receive a full tuition refund.
A 50% tuition refund will be given to students withdrawing after the first week.
No refund will be granted to students withdrawing after the second week.
Class Changes and Cancellations
NJSSM reserves the right to change instructors or formats, or cancel classes due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances. In the event a class is cancelled, you will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another class. If you do not enroll in another class, you will receive a full refund.
Student Absence and Make-up Policies
NJSSM has one make-up week at the end of each semester during which teachers will make up any lessons they may have missed during the semester. If a lesson is cancelled by the instructor or by the school, on a snow day for example, a make-up will be scheduled during the last week of the semester or at a mutually convenient time. If the student cannot attend the make-up week or at a mutually convenient time, the school will not be held responsible for making up the missed lesson.
1) Private Lessons
Semester private lessons :
Two excused student absence for private lessons per semester will be made up during the semester or make-up days at the end of the semester. A student absence must be reported to NJSSM office 24 hours in advance to be considered an excused absence.
Monthly private lessons :
One excused student absence for private lessons per month will be made up and must finish it on the same month. A student absence must be reported to NJSSM office 24 hours in advance to be considered an excused absence.
2) Group classes and ensembles
There are no make-ups for group classes and ensembles missed by the student. All lessons, classes and workshops missed because of teacher absence and school closing will be made up. Make-up lessons may be given during or between semesters.
To be qualified for a make-up session, please follow the cancellation procedure below:
All cancellation must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
- Call the office at 201.787.9911 as soon as you find out that you have to cancel an upcoming lesson. Please leave a detailed message regarding your cancellation if no one answers the phone.
- Notify the office as soon as possible if you need to schedule a make-up session.
Please note that calling the instructor at home to cancel a lesson will not be considered a sufficient notice.
Substitute Instructors
Although our teachers try their best to avoid possible conflicts, the school does not guarantee that teachers will not miss any lesson. A qualified substitute teacher will be provided if an instructor is ill or otherwise unable to attend a lesson/class. If a substitute teacher cannot be arranged, a make-up session will be scheduled during the last week of the semester or at a mutually convenient time.
Tardiness
Students are expected to attend and be punctual to all lessons, classes, and rehearsals. Students who are routinely late, unprepared, or demonstrate inappropriate behavior may have their registration cancelled. Students who are late for a lesson cannot be guaranteed their lesson time. Instructor will wait for a student for one-third of the scheduled lesson duration; students are asked to do the same.
Photography and Recording Release
By registering for lessons and/or classes, or by attending any NJSSM event, parents and students, and other adults accompanying the students, grant permission for photographs and recordings of him/herself – or of his or her child – to be used by NJSSM for publicity purposes. These photographs will not be distributed, sold, or used beyond NJSSM’s promotional or in-school curriculum and professional development activities.
Safety
To ensure your child’s safety, please pick him/her up promptly at the classroom. NJSSM does not assume responsibility of students’ security and safety when parents choose to leave them unattended at the school. Students under the age of 10 must be supervised by parents or guardians while they are waiting for classes and/or lessons to begin.
Injuries
Parents, legal guardians of minor students and adult students waive the right to any legal action for any injury sustained on school property resulting from normal lesson activity or any other activity conducted by the students before, during or after lesson time.
Snow Days
NJSSM is closed for snow when the local public schools close or have early closings. Please call 201.787.9911 or check our website for the most up-to-date information regarding closings. The School will arrange make-up days for unscheduled closings.
Tuition & Fee
We offer 18 weeks program for spring semester and Fall/winter semester and 7 weeks program for summer with parent.
Currently, We offer Violin, Viola and Cello.
(We recommend students learn violin for several years before starting viola.)
———- 30 min 45 min 60 min
Monthly (4 weeks) $228.00 $316.00 $396.00
Semester (18 weeks) $923.40 $1,279.80 $1,603.80
Additional Weekly Group Class enrollment : $392.00 for 16 Weeks.
( * Non Suzuki students 16 weeks : $504.00 discount applied )
*Two installment plan is available for semester enrollment.
*There is $50 of one time non-refundable registration fee each student.
*Tuition will be prorated for late enrolled students
- There are no group lessons during student’s first one year ( for early attendance, students need teacher’s approval )
- Group lesson schedule : TBA
- Additional 5% off for sibling enrollment ( Applied from 2nd child ) or 2nd instrument.
About NJSSM
NJ Suzuki School’s teachers are registered SAA (Suzuki Association of the Americas) and specially trained Suzuki method. Teachers are committed to creating an environment that fosters your child’s development of talent, skill, discipline, expressiveness, and joy. Suzuki instruction includes a weekly lesson, and in addition, group lessons are offered to give students the opportunity to play music together with fun. Lessons are open to all interested students, ages 3 to adult.