Private Lessons begin September 2!
Recommended for beginners ages 3-8, our Suzuki Program offers a nurturing, family-centered approach to learning a string instrument. Rooted in the belief that every child can learn, the Suzuki Method builds musical skills and confidence through ear training, repetition, and encouragement—all within a supportive and inspiring environment.
Led by highly trained Suzuki-certified teachers, students benefit from:
Weekly Private Lessons tailored to individual progress
Group Classes that foster community, ensemble playing, and fun
Performance opportunities to build poise and pride
Parental involvement that creates a shared musical journey
Whether your child is just starting out or continuing their musical journey, our Suzuki program develops beautiful tone, disciplined practice habits, and a lifelong love of music.
🎵 Enroll today and let music become a joyful part of your family’s life!
Our highly trained, Suzuki-certified teachers provide individualized instruction in the Suzuki Method during weekly private lessons, which are offered in 30-, 45-, or 60-minute sessions depending on the student’s age and level. In keeping with the Suzuki philosophy, parents attend the lesson alongside their student to reinforce practice at home and support the student’s musical development.
We currently offer Suzuki lessons in violin and cello. If you wish to explore other instruments at The Music Academy, please visit our Private Lessons page.
During Group Class, students revisit skills learned in private lessons, build confidence through ensemble playing, and develop listening and teamwork skills in a supportive environment. A fundamental part of to the Suzuki experience, participation in Group Class is strongly encouraged for all students enrolled in Suzuki lessons. Students are assigned to groups based on age and level, and meet weekly, approximately 15 times per semester, for 30- or 45-minute sessions.
*Note: Registration Deadline for Fall 2025 Group classes is September 24, 2025. Learn more.
In addition to The Music Academy's Solo Recitals and Suzuki Group Class Concerts at the conclusion of each semester, our Suzuki students are invited to perform at numerous community events throughout the year, such as the Central PA Festival of the Arts, the Barnes & Noble Book Fair, and pre-concert appearances with the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra and the Nittany Valley Symphony.
TRIAL LESSONS: $45/lesson; 30-minutes each. Book a Trial to learn more about the Suzuki Method and find out if an instrument is right for you.
SUZUKI PRIVATE LESSONS: Priced based upon lesson length. Your assigned instructor will help recommend the best lesson length based on your age, level, and musical goals, also factoring in your schedule and budget preferences.
30-minutes: $47/lesson, billed monthly*
Single Semester (18 lessons): Total of $846
Full Year (36 lessons): Total of $1,692
45-minutes: $63/lesson, billed monthly*
Single Semester (18 lessons): Total of $1,134
Full Year (36 lessons): Total of $2,268
60-minutes: $84/lesson, billed monthly*
Single Semester (18 lessons): Total of $1,512
Full Year (36 lessons): Total of $3,024
SUZUKI GROUP CLASSES: All Suzuki students are strongly encouraged to participate in weekly group classes. Students are placed into groups based on age and experience level. Your group assignment and schedule will be finalized after the start of the semester, once all Suzuki students have registered and we can determine enrollment volume.
Participation Fee: $155/semester (Fall/Spring; not offered in Summer)
Includes approximately 15 weekly group classes; 30- or 45- minute classes, based on age and level
Payment in full is due upon registration. Please note that this fee is nonrefundable as it reserves your spot in the class.
REGISTRATION FEE: Due once per academic year to all Music Academy students, both new and returning; charged at the time of booking.
$50 for first family member
$15 for second family member
Waived for any additional family members
*Important Note: TMA's new monthly payment plan is a convenient way to spread out the cost of tuition via monthly installments. It is important to understand that this is not a 'pay-as-you-go' arrangement. Our strict withdrawal policy still applies. Monthly payments will still continue for the entire term, even if the student decides to cease taking lessons. Learn more.
Before booking, please confirm your private lesson day/time with your assigned instructor. If you still need a teacher assignment, book a Trial Lesson or complete a Contact Form.
Create an account with Opus1, our new web-based registration portal. See here for login instructions and important billing changes: LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS.
Follow the Link below & complete your initial payment.
Note: If self-booking with our monthly payment plan, your first payment must be made online via credit card. All future payments may be made via ACH/Bank Account to avoid the 3% fee.
After you complete your Private Lesson registration, we will assign you to a Suzuki Group Class. Assignments will be announced just after the start of the semester, once all Suzuki students have registered and we can assess enrollment volume, ages and levels, and determine the best class arrangements. At that time, you will be invited to complete online registration and complete your $155/semester payment.
GROUP REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Please note that registration for the Fall 2025 Suzuki Groups will close on September 24, 2025. This deadline ensures the best possible experience for all participants, as classes progress sequentially and build on musical concepts introduced early in the semester. Students who enter Group Classes after this date find it difficult to integrate into the established curriculum and ensemble work. All incoming Suzuki students who wish to join after this deadline are invited to begin their Suzuki-style private lessons right away, and then join a new Group Class in the Spring 2026 semester (if a new group is opened), or the following Fall semester. We appreciate your understanding and encourage early enrollment to ensure a smooth and rewarding musical journey.
FALL 2025: September 2 to January 24
SPRING 2026: January 25 to May 8
Performances Dates: Please see our full 2025-2026 Calendar make a note of all Solo recitals and Group Class Concerts, community performances, first/last lesson dates, holidays, school closures, and more.
Group Class Schedule: Your group assignment and calendar will be announced after the start of the semester, once all Suzuki students have registered for private lessons.
More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach.
As when a child learns to talk, parents are involved in the musical learning of their child. They attend lessons with the child and serve as “home teachers” during the week. One parent often learns to play before the child, so that s/he understands what the child is expected to do. Parents work with the teacher to create an enjoyable learning environment.
The early years are crucial for developing mental processes and muscle coordination. Listening to music should begin at birth; formal training may begin at age three or four, but it is never too late to begin.
Children learn words after hearing them spoken hundreds of times by others. Listening to music every day is important, especially listening to pieces in the Suzuki repertoire so the child knows them immediately.
Constant repetition is essential in learning to play an instrument. Children do not learn a word or piece of music and then discard it. They add it to their vocabulary or repertoire, gradually using it in new and more sophisticated ways.
As with language, the child’s effort to learn an instrument should be met with sincere praise and encouragement. Each child learns at his/her own rate, building on small steps so that each one can be mastered. Children are also encouraged to support each other’s efforts, fostering an attitude of generosity and cooperation.
In addition to private lessons, children participate in regular group lessons and performance at which they learn from an are motivated by each other.
Children do not practice exercises to learn to talk, but use language for its natural purpose of communication and self-expression. Pieces in the Suzuki repertoire are designed to present technical problems to be learned in the context of the music rather than through dry technical exercises.
Children learn to read after their ability to talk has been well established. in the same way, children should develop basic technical competence on their instruments before being taught to read music.