The Suzuki Violin & Viola School offers a worldwide respected curriculum based on the teaching method created by the Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki who believes, “If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart.”

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The NCAC Suzuki Program includes:

• Private lessons starting at 4 years old

• Correct posture and holding position

• Ear training and listening

• Tonalization

• Learning music by heart

• Memorization of solo repertoire

• Monthly group lessons to supplement individual lessons

• Regular public performances and recitals

• Retaining and reviewing repertoire​

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Further details about the Suzuki program:

Every Child Can Learn

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Learning with Other Children

In addition to private lessons, children participate in regular group lessons and performance at which they learn from and are motivated by each other.

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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.

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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.​

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Individual violin lessons are available Monday - Friday, 5 PM - 8 PM.

 

Get to know our faculty on our Music Faculty Page.​​

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Registration:

Please complete the following forms  and return to the Neighborhood Creative Arts Academy or email completed documents to msgeorgia@neighborhoodcreativeartsacademy.org:

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Pre-K Students:

Pre-K Violin 2024-2025 Registration

Pre-K Violin 2024-2025 Financial Agreement

Pre-K Violin 2024-2025 Attendance Agreement

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Tuition: ​

• 30-minute lessons for 33 weeks of instruction*/ 10 low monthly payments of $100 per month.

• Tuition will be prorated for those who join us later in the term.

• Materials Fee: $120 per year, includes all music, additional fees, and other learning aids.

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Individual Students above Pre-K:

Child Individual Lesson 2024-2025 Registration

Child Individual Financial 2024-2025 Agreement

Child Individual Attendance 2024-2025 Agreement

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Tuition: ​

• 30-minute lessons for 33 weeks of instruction*/ 10 low monthly payments of $115 per month.

• 45-minute lessons for 33 weeks of instruction* / 10 low monthly payments of $150 per month.

• Tuition will be prorated for those who join us later in the term.

• Materials Fee: $140 per year, includes all music, additional fees, and other learning aids.

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Violin Rentals: Brobst Violin Shop

We highly recommend Brobst Violin Shop in Alexandria, Virginia. Their violins are of the highest quality, which is crucial. A high-quality instrument holds its tuning well and gives your child a better quality of sound. Beginning violinists rely on their teacher to tune their instrument, so it is important, as they develop their listening skills, to hear the correct pitch for the notes they are playing all week long. Also, it is difficult to manage the bow and hold the violin, however, a higher quality violin will reward them with a lovely full sound despite their lack of experience. This is very rewarding for the student and all who are listening!

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More Information:

We offer a 25% discount for those who take individual lessons for two separate instruments at NCAC! We also offer a 15% discount for those who pursue art classes in addition to individual music lessons.**

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​*Instruction includes Monthly Music Fest, which includes a group ensemble experience,  (1 hour and 40-minute lesson) every fourth week in place of the individual lesson for that week.

**25% discount applies to second set of individual lessons of equal or lesser value.