Our Suzuki Program

Your child’s success in our program depends on good attendance in all classes. Students who attend all of their classes have an infinitely more positive and successful experience.

a. If you will be absent for a lesson or class, call or email your teacher, and call the registration desk. Teachers will give you their preferred contact info.

b. Participation in festival concerts and recitals is required.

c. We may revoke your enrollment in the program for excessive absence:

i. Three consecutive absences from private lessons without notice.

ii. More than six absences from any one class.

d. Arrive five minutes before all classes! (Five minutes early is on time!) Late arrivals disrupt the flow of class.

e. Students who do not attend group class regularly may not be allowed to participate in major events. This is to ensure that all students have a positive performing experience.

Due to the intensive nature of the Suzuki Division’s schedule, no make ups for private lessons will be given. There are no make ups for group or theory. Any lessons or classes missed by a teacher will be made up or a sub will be provided. The last Sunday of the year is reserved for group/theory make up classes in case of teacher absence, and is the final of 30 private lessons for students with Sunday lessons.

To ensure all students have a positive experience:

a. Every child is required to perform at each recital. Some beginners may need an exception for their first or second semester, which must be approved by the director.

b. Beginners typically take a bow for their first recital. Teachers assist young children on stage.

c. Students do not perform their most recently learned pieces. Teachers make the final decision regarding recital pieces.

Group and Theory are critical components of our program. Students remain in their assigned group and theory class for the entire year. It is a desirable feature of the method for students to experience being “challenged” by their group and to be a “leader” of their group over the course of several years in the Suzuki program. Students learn valuable skills from both positions. Please remember that the group class titles are approximate and might not precisely describe where your child is for the entire year.

a. If there are any concerns, call, email or talk in person with your teacher (not in front of children). If you don’t feel comfortable talking with your teacher, please email or call your Department Head.

b. Please do not wait until the end of the year to bring up a problem! Any discussions should take place as soon as possible so that we can resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

c. Any changes to your schedule must be approved by the Division Director. Changes to schedules will be made only at the semester break, and are made only in exceptional circumstances. Please be aware that any changes involve significant administrative time, and affect many other people.

d. Changing teachers is a delicate subject. Your teacher cares very much about you and your child. Requests to change teachers are to be considered in the most careful way.

Nora Friedman, Suzuki Program Director

(by appointment only)

Monday-Friday: 9 AM – 2 PM

It is expected that students will continue in the program for the full school-year. Schedules remain the same from September – June. All withdrawal requests must be submitted in writing to the Registration Office. If a family encounters an emergency which requires withdrawing the child from the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, BKCM will make a tuition refund on a pro-rated basis, within the first three weeks of the school year only. See Registration Form for further financial policies.

a. Parents are the “Suzuki Secretary.” At times, teachers will invite you to participate in the lesson. Otherwise, please actively listen, take good notes and audio/video record the lesson.

b. We follow the “One Teacher at a Time” principle. Any commentary (positive or negative) or physical gestures from parents will divide the child’s attention, so please refrain from doing so during lessons or classes. Questions are encouraged, but please wait for a pause in the lesson. Inform your teacher you have a question, and he/she will either answer it then or make time before the end of the lesson.

c. Don’t use cell phones during classes unless you’re taking an audio/video recording.

a. Eating food in classrooms is not allowed. Please have children eat snacks before or after classes, preferably in the hallways or outside. Be sure to clean up after yourself. Exceptions should be discussed with your teacher IN ADVANCE, not when your child is hungry and asking for the snack.

b. Please do not wear perfume to classes – many people have allergies.

c. Arrive five minutes early to your class, and do the following prior to your lesson time:

i. Take off coats, sweatshirts, gloves, hats and scarves.

ii. Trim fingernails

iii. Go to the bathroom

iv. Wash hands

v. Have a drink of water

vi. Finish any snacks prior to the lesson, and wash hands again

vii. Prepare your instrument for the lesson (tune, rosin, shoulder rest, etc.)

viii. Review notes from last lesson, and review any important questions for your teacher

ix. Help child find a calm center

d. Ask your teacher whether to wait in hall at your lesson time, to knock, or to enter the room. Each teacher has his/her own preferences.

e. In order to support the Suzuki Triangle of child, parent and teacher, please speak in a language your teacher understands during class time.

f. If you must send a non-Suzuki parent or other caregiver to a lesson, notify your teacher in advance, and keep to a maximum of four times per year. Provide video-taking and note-taking capability, and advise the caregiver about the “One Teacher at a Time” policy and classroom etiquette.

(as discussed in First Year Parents’ Class)

• Attend Parents’ Class during the first semester, and continue in role of Suzuki Parent.
• The same parent should remain in place for the duration of child’s Suzuki experience.
• Suzuki Parent (the one who attended the Parents’ Class) must attend all classes and take notes.
• Ensure that student listens to the CD every day at home.
• Practice every day at home with the child, using positive language strategies learned in Parents’ class.
• Obtain required materials and bring them to class every week.
• Read and follow the Suzuki Division Family Policies.
• If sending an alternate caregiver, notify your teacher in advance, keeping such instances to an absolute minimum.
• Keep a sense of humor and model this for your children.
• Keep an open dialogue with your teacher in order to problem-solve together.

The Suzuki Parent is the parent who attends Parents’ Classes, accompanies the child to lessons, communicates with the teacher and works with the child at home. You are the container of information!

If a spouse wants or needs to take over the duties of the Suzuki Parent, they must attend a full semester of Parents’ Class.

Our teachers know that you work very hard in your role as a Suzuki Parent, and all of us have immense respect for your dedication. We have an incredible Suzuki community here at the BKCM for which we are all very grateful. Let’s work together to continue to build a life-long musical journey for you and your children. As Suzuki said, “Music polishes the heart.”