Suzuki Instruction at Hartt Community Division
"Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart." —Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
The Suzuki method is an educational philosophy that strives to create high ability and beautiful character in its students through instrumental music instruction in a nurturing environment. The nurture involved in the movement is modeled on a concept of early childhood education that focuses on factors that Shinichi Suzuki observed in native language acquisition. Such factors include immersion, encouragement, small steps, and an unforced timetable for learning material based on each person's developmental readiness to imitate examples, internalize principles, and contribute novel ideas.
The Hartt Community Division is one of the largest and most reputable Suzuki schools in the country. Under direction of Suzuki Department Chair, Teri Einfeldt, we offer instruction in violin, viola, violoncello, piano, and guitar for children as young as four. Suzuki piano lessons begin at age five and bass instruction is available starting at age seven (depending on the size of the student). As in the traditional method of instrumental instruction, students are given weekly private lessons with one of our faculty members. Suzuki string students also attend weekly group classes to further develop their musical skills. Suzuki piano students attend monthly group classes.
The Suzuki Program requires the active participation of a parent, including mandatory attendance at all lessons and group classes and a willingness to serve as the child's at-home teacher.
In addition to weekly lessons and group classes, we offer Suzuki orchestras and our annual summer Hartt Suzuki Institute, which attracts students from across the country.
Recommended Ages for Beginning Suzuki Students
Piano: age 5-7
Violin, Viola, Cello, Guitar: age 4-6
Bass: age 7 and up
Documents
2011-2012 Suzuki Private Lesson Tuition Rates
| Type of Lesson |
30 Minutes |
45 Minutes |
60 Minutes |
| Suzuki Piano |
$42.50 |
$57.50 |
$74.50 |
| Suzuki String/Guitar |
$53.00 |
$68.50 |
$86.50 |
Middletown Satellite
Suzuki Piano Rate
32 weeks |
$38.75 |
$53.00 |
$70.00 |
Registration Fee
Non-Refundable
(per year per student) |
$25.00 |
$25.00 |
$25.00 |
Late Registration Fee
(per year per student) |
$30.00 |
$30.00 |
$30.00 |
Rates are based on the type and length of lessons. Middletown rates only apply to Middletown residents who study at the Middletown satellite. Non-residents pay the regular Suzuki lesson rate. For select faculty, higher rates may apply.
*Please note that weekly group classes are included in the Suzuki string and guitar Rates. Monthly group classes are included in the Suzuki piano tuition rates.
Need-based financial aid may be available through the Fund for Access.
IMPORTANT: The Community Division requires that students enroll for the entire school year. New Suzuki students and parents are required to observe a number of lessons and group classes and submit a completed observation form before being admitted to the program. Pending teacher availability, students will be begin lessons in the following semester. Students beginning in January register for the remainder of the year.
A deposit of 10% of the tuition for the entire year, plus applicable registration fees is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance can be paid in 4 installments throughout the school year as billed by the University of Hartford. For later registrations, students may be billed in fewer than 4 installments, based on the date of enrollment. Failure to pay according to billing dates will result in default charges in addition to all tuition and fees.
An opt-out period is available during the fourth week of January for students wishing to withdraw without penalty.
Please see the registration or billing pages for more information on Community Division policies.
For more information contact the Community Division office at (860) 768-4451 or harttcomm@hartford.edu.