The Suzuki Strings Program
What we offer:
A 3-class group program, held weekly on Saturday mornings:
- Individual violin, viola and cello lessons, scheduled at your convenience with your instructor
- Solo recitals with a professional accompanist
- Masterclasses and workshops with guest teachers
- Parent education and enrichment
- Free admittance to many UO concerts
- Group performances every term
A 3-class group program, held weekly on Saturday mornings:
- Instrument-specific Suzuki group classes
- An informal but inspiring mini-recital, providing an additional solo performance opportunity for all students each term
- Musicianship Classes
- Music Mind Games (developing skills in solfege and music-reading for young students) ; or
- Orchestra (developing ensemble and musicianship skills for older students)
Explore our year's schedule and tuition and policies.
Who we are:
- A team of violin, viola and cello teachers, who love kids and are passionate about music instruction! Click here to meet our faculty.
- University of Oregon graduate students, faculty members, and professional community music educators.
- All of our teachers hold undergraduate degrees in music; the majority of our teachers hold or are earning masters or doctoral degrees in music performance and teaching.
- All of our lead teachers have formal, registered training with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and continue to pursue extra professional and educational development.
Our educational philosophy
The Suzuki Strings Program at the University of Oregon’s Community Music Institute is celebrating more than a decade of bringing high-quality string instruction to the Eugene community! Students ages preschool and up can enroll to begin violin, viola, and cello lessons and start a life-long journey of learning teamwork, discipline, and creative expression, and having fun through music.
Inspired by the work of educator and humanitarian Shinichi Suzuki, the SSP educational philosophy is grounded in the belief that all children have musical ability, and that the work of studying music brings out the best in us. Teachers trained specifically in working with young beginners guide Suzuki Strings students and parents through a nurturing, developmentally appropriate and sequential curriculum. Modeled on the process of language learning, the Suzuki philosophy believes that children learn music best when they are: taught to learn music by ear; surrounded by an environment of positive feedback and parental support at every step; and able to enjoy the fun and camaraderie of learning in groups. All of these elements are part of the Suzuki Strings experience.
Families enjoy the UO Suzuki Strings program’s unique combination of nurturing support and high expectations, as well as the chance to join a true community of families and teachers whose friendships can last many years. We’re proud of our partnership with the School of Music and Dance, and all it provides for our students: access to concerts, mentorship from string faculty and pedagogy students, and a learning environment rich with artistic excitement.
Like Suzuki, we believe that "every child can"! The Suzuki Strings Program is a creative and inclusive learning community where the primary goal is to develop children with a love of the arts and the skill of strong self-expression. What sets the UO Suzuki Strings Program apart is the quality of well-rounded musicians our program has developed within this fun and nurturing environment: we're proud to be able to prepare our most passionate students effectively for serious music study in high school, college, and beyond.
Inspired by the work of educator and humanitarian Shinichi Suzuki, the SSP educational philosophy is grounded in the belief that all children have musical ability, and that the work of studying music brings out the best in us. Teachers trained specifically in working with young beginners guide Suzuki Strings students and parents through a nurturing, developmentally appropriate and sequential curriculum. Modeled on the process of language learning, the Suzuki philosophy believes that children learn music best when they are: taught to learn music by ear; surrounded by an environment of positive feedback and parental support at every step; and able to enjoy the fun and camaraderie of learning in groups. All of these elements are part of the Suzuki Strings experience.
Families enjoy the UO Suzuki Strings program’s unique combination of nurturing support and high expectations, as well as the chance to join a true community of families and teachers whose friendships can last many years. We’re proud of our partnership with the School of Music and Dance, and all it provides for our students: access to concerts, mentorship from string faculty and pedagogy students, and a learning environment rich with artistic excitement.
Like Suzuki, we believe that "every child can"! The Suzuki Strings Program is a creative and inclusive learning community where the primary goal is to develop children with a love of the arts and the skill of strong self-expression. What sets the UO Suzuki Strings Program apart is the quality of well-rounded musicians our program has developed within this fun and nurturing environment: we're proud to be able to prepare our most passionate students effectively for serious music study in high school, college, and beyond.
“When love is deep, much can be accomplished.”