"What makes WSS unique is the partnership of parents, students, and teachers. This environment develops great musicians with "noble hearts."

Curriculum

Parent Involvement

Dr. Shinichi Suzuki recognized that parent involvement and supportive encouragement readily nurture a child's enthusiasm and ability. Dr. Suzuki hoped that every child would develop a "noble heart" through a loving, respectful, and directed learning experience.

In keeping with this philosophy, Suzuki parents are the foundation of a parent-teacher-student triumvirate. Parents:

• attend lessons with their children,
• guide their practice throughout the week, and
• ensure that the students are regularly listening to Suzuki repertoire recordings. Parents work with the teacher to ensure that the child, while learning a lifelong skill, has an enjoyable musical experience.

Parents have found this contact to be a wonderful way to touch base with their children throughout their family's busy weeks. Parents and students alike experience great joy at the growing self-esteem and musical skill that their children develop. As children grow into adolescence, the parent's role diminishes, but never truly disappears.

Parents get to know other parents while attending the bi-monthly Group Classes. A supportive dynamic community is established not only for students, but also for the parents.

Private Lessons

Students enroll in weekly private lessons which are 30, 45 or 60 minutes long, depending on the student's age and stage of development. The "Suzuki parent" attends each lesson. Students progress at their own pace through the beautiful music of the Suzuki repertoire.

Group Classes

Violins are meant to play together! The group classes provide positive peer-group modeling and motivation. All students are assigned to an Ensemble Group of 8-12 students, appropriate to their needs and stage of development. The ensemble groups typically meet twice a month, on Saturday morning for beginners and higher levels, and on Friday evenings for advanced students. Students learn ensemble skills, occasionally play solos for each other, and enjoy a great camaraderie and respect for each other. All Group Classes are accompanied by a professional piano accompanist.

Advanced Ensemble

As appropriate to their development, students are invited to participate in the Advanced Ensemble. This group meets twice monthly on Friday evenings and follows a similar format to the Saturday morning classes. These students play both Suzuki and non-Suzuki pieces in their repertoire—plus, pizza always follows rehearsal! The Advanced Ensemble takes music beyond the Washington Suzuki Strings community, playing concerts throughout metropolitan DC. In December 2004 they submitted their recently recorded CD and were subsequently selected to perform at the White House, as part of White House's holiday celebration, "A Season of Merriment and Melody."  In 2005, the group again performed at the White House at Christmas time.

Concerts & Recitals

Frequent performances—casual or formal—enable students to share their music with others, develop self-confidence, and appreciate the talents of their peers. Students learn that their music not only enriches their own lives, but also enriches the community around them.

Throughout the year students perform solos, during Group class and at Washington Suzuki Strings recitals. Additionally, the Advanced Ensemble performs at various carefully selected opportunities in and around Washington.