RCS Suzuki Lab School

Suzuki Programs

The Suzuki Method is a specific approach to teaching instruments to young children, developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki of Japan. All RCS Suzuki instructors are highly trained in and dedicated to the Suzuki philosophy, and include some of Canada’s top Suzuki Teacher Trainers.

Violin and Cello

The RCS Suzuki Lab School offers an enriched program of music study in violin and cello that combines individual studio lessons with instrumental group classes, theory-musicianship classes, orchestra, small ensembles, and special workshops. Students are guided by their instructor as to which components to include in their study, depending on their age and level. The Lab School is also home to RCS Suzuki teacher training with a unique connection to cutting-edge research in cognition, pedagogy, and neuroscience.

Location: TELUS Centre for Performance & Learning, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Who: Children from 3 years to high school age.

New Students: Entry starts at age 3 for beginners. Please contact us for more details on appropriate ages for entry into the Suzuki program as well as a detailed explanation regarding the referral matching process.

Start date: New students may start individual studio instruction at any time, and may enter the program in September, November, January, or March (Program fee is prorated accordingly).

Duration: September to June, 32 weeks of instruction with option to extend individual studio instruction 4 – 10 weeks (depending on instructor availability)

Tuition: 2010-2011 (two terms), includes individual studio instruction and two components:

Twinklers

•	$2200 or 8 payments of $275 (includes "Every Child Can!" seminar for parents/caregivers)
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All other levels

•	with 30 minute individual studio instruction $2400 or 8 payments of $300
•	with 45 minute individual studio instruction $3200 or 8 payments of $400
•	with 60 minute individual studio instruction $4000 or 8 payments of $500

For an additional nominal fee ($25 for first child, $40 for two or more siblings enrolled in the RCS Suzuki Lab School) Suzuki Lab School students are invited to participate in the annual all-day Suzuki Lab School Workshop at the Telus Centre.

Mississauga: Violin, Cello, Flute, and Piano

A program especially formatted to suit the Mississauga community and surrounding area, located on the beautiful and historic Adamson Estate on the lake. Enrichment workshops enhance and strengthen the individual and group instrumental instruction, and are cross-discipline, meaning students from all Suzuki disciplines at this location take part. Parent Info sessions are provided for new and beginner level students. Intermediate to advanced students are encouraged to form small ensembles.

Location: Adamson Estate, 850 Enola Ave, Mississauga (Cawthra / Lakeshore)

Who: Children from 3 years to high school age.

New Students: Entry starts at age 3 for beginners. Please contact us for more details on appropriate ages for entry into the Suzuki program as well as a detailed explanation regarding the referral matching process.

Start date: New students may start individual studio instruction at any time, and may enter the program in September, November, January, or March (Program fee is prorated accordingly).

Duration: September to June, 32 weeks of instruction with option to extend individual studio instruction 4 – 10 weeks (depending on instructor availability)

Tuition: 2010-2011 (two terms), includes individual studio instruction bi-weekly instrumental group classes, solo recital opportunities, group concert each term, 4 enrichment workshops and parent info sessions: All levels, all disciplines:

•	with 30 minute individual studio instruction $1800 or 8 payments of $225.00
•	with 45 minute individual studio instruction $2300 or 8 payments of $287.50
•	with 60 minute individual studio instruction $2900 or 8 payments of $362.50

The Suzuki Method

The difference between traditional teaching and the Suzuki approach:

•	Parent Participation: the parent must attend lessons, make written notes and work as a home teacher with the child on a daily basis. Constant interest, a calm pleasant attitude and praise for real effort lead to musical development. A musical background is not required. Parent training sessions led by Suzuki instructors is available at various times throughout the year and designed to help parents with home practices and other related issues.
•	Early Learning: An early learning environment makes the study of an instrument and music a part of the daily routine. Young children are receptive to parental guidance, and the neural pathways are ideally suited to musical instruction at this age.
•	Listening: When a child begins lessons, the parent/caregiver will play the CD of the first volume of Suzuki pieces at least once a day. The listening facilitates the child’s ability to learn by ear and helps develop a highly attuned sense of pitch, tone, and ability to memorize with ease.
•	Music Literacy: Dr. Suzuki believed that reading music could be deferred for very young beginners. In early language learning, a child does not repeat a word once, but many times. Constant repetition in music learning will lead to step-by-step mastery. It is only after the basic instrumental skills are mastered that children can add the focus of learning to read notes. When the child is ready to learn to read music, reading is incorporated into lessons, and the Suzuki children become very good sight-readers.

For additional information about the Suzuki Method please visit:
Suzuki Association of the Americas
The Suzuki Association of Ontario

For more information about, or to enroll in any of the RCS Suzuki Programs, please contact:

	Phone: 416.408.2825 / 1.888.408.2825 Email: conservatoryschool@rcmusic.ca

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