The Winston-Salem Suzuki School has been in existence since 1986 offering Suzuki Method instruction in guitar here in Winston-Salem North Carolina. We obtained our 501-C3 status in 2016. Our school is housed in a facility provided by the Knollwood Baptist Church. All of the teachers associated with us are classically trained.
Instruction can start as young as age three and is also available for adults. Our students are trained in classical music, but also enjoy playing popular music. In addition to a weekly private lesson, students in the Suzuki program meet for a weekly group lesson that explores ensemble performing, music theory, and just having fun and getting motivated!
If you are interested in learning more about our Suzuki School, you can contact us via the “Contact” link on this website. The first step in getting involved with the Suzuki Method is to come and observe both group and private instruction. There is no charge for observations, and you may observe as often as you'd like. Check out our Homepage for more information.
The Suzuki Philosophy
The Suzuki Method involves the student, teacher, and parent in a disciplined, yet enjoyable cooperative effort that represents a wonderful investment in a child's future. While Suzuki students learn to play their instruments remarkably well and develop a lifelong appreciation of music, the primary goal of the Suzuki Method is one of developing the whole child. Suzuki students develop concentration skills, artistic sensitivity, poise and self-confidence, discipline, social skills, and a strong sense of self-worth. These experiences of success transfer into many other areas of the child's life. Suzuki parents develop a better understanding of their children and themselves through a commitment to daily spend quality time practicing with their child. The Suzuki Method emphasizes fostering a healthy parent-child relationship.
Right: The Kosslers with Dr.Suzuki in Japan
The Suzuki Methodology
Parents attend an initial required parent class that gives them all the information they need to get started. After the class is completed, the parent attends two lessons per week with the child - a private lesson, and a group lesson. The group lesson is a required part of the program and is not optional. Children who are not yet ready to take private instruction are encouraged to attend just the group class. Both parents are invited to attend the lessons, but one parent takes primary responsibility for attending the lessons and practicing with the child at home - this is not a “shared” responsibility between the parents. Parents can learn how to play the guitar along with their child if they would like.
In addition to practicing with the child at home, the other main responsibility of the parent is to play a listening CD of the music the child is to learn. This approach is referred to as the “mother tongue” method of learning. The essence of the Suzuki methodology is one of modeling the learning environment after the way children naturally learn to speak their own native language.
