At Etobicoke Suzuki Music, we offer a Core Instrumental Program for violin, viola and cello students. All ESM students receive one private lesson and one group class every week. The Core Program also includes two annual concerts, multiple solo recitals, Book Recitals when appropriate, and an annual full-day workshop.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons run for 36 weeks each year, from September to June. Lessons are held at various locations in Etobicoke and West Toronto, including PLAST. The lesson day, time, and length are set by mutual agreement between the parent and studio teacher.

Spring 2022: Private lessons are being taught both in-person and online.

ESM private lessons are taught by ESM's violin, viola, and cello faculty.

Group Classes

Group classes for ESM students vary according to student level.

In addition to instrumental classes, younger students also attend Music & Movement classes. See below for details.

Classes for older students include instruction in reading skills and ensemble playing. Senior students may receive chamber music coachings as part of their group experience.

ESM group classes run from September through November, and January through April. They are scheduled on Mondays during late afternoon and evening.

Location: PLAST Huculak Centre, 516 The Kingsway (at Kipling Ave, parking in rear of building).

Spring 2022: Group classes are being taught both in-person and online.

ESM group classes are taught by ESM's violin, viola, and cello faculty.

Music & Movement Classes

These classes are part of the group class experience for our youngest Core Program students. The children have a half-hour instrumental group class plus a half-hour Music & Movement class. The Music & Movement classes provide a setting for the children to learn various skills including singing, feeling rhythms with their bodies, and group participation.

Parent Education

Parent Ed classes are for the parents of beginner students. These occur during the children's half-hour Music & Movement classes. The topics provide valuable information for new Suzuki parents, as well as motivation and moral support.

Parent-Teacher Meetings

The "Suzuki Triangle" (child-teacher-parent) emphasizes active parental involvement in their child's musical education. It also emphasizes a strong, healthy relationship between the parent and teacher. ESM Parent-Teacher meetings take place each year during a scheduled week, at the student's lesson time. The meetings are prefaced by a questionnaire sent to each parent, to be completed and returned beforehand. Students should not attend the meeting and should instead stay at home. The exception is for teen and senior-level students. These students will receive their own questionnaire and will have the opportunity to sit down with their studio teacher, as will their parent.

ESM Workshop

All ESM students are eligible to participate in the annual all-day Workshop, featuring guest teachers and a variety of activities. The Workshop is intended as a motivating experience for students, parents, and teachers alike. The experience of working with excellent guest teachers, as well as having a special event for which to prepare, generates excitement and enthusiasm amongst the students.

All students receive a group class, an enrichment class, and a group "play-in". There are also extra activities such as crafts, a video, and a motivational Parent Talk.

Students have the option to register for a semi-private lesson with one of the guest teachers.

The basic Workshop fee is included in ESM tuition. Semi-private lessons have a small additional fee. Please note that all ESM students wishing to participate in the Workshop must register for the Workshop; attendance is not assumed. Occasionally ESM opens the Workshop to non-ESM students, depending on the availability of openings.

School-Wide Concerts

Two school-wide concerts are held each year: one in late fall and one in spring. These provide all the students (including the beginner students) with an opportunity to play as part of a large group and to demonstrate what they have learned. These concerts are held in the lovely Concert Hall at PLAST, giving the students a chance to play on a "big" stage.

Solo Recitals

Performance is an important aspect of musical development. Performance skills and the discipline of detailed preparation are also applicable to other life areas. Our goal is for students to achieve personal excellence within a nurturing, positive, non-competitive environment. Solo recitals are scheduled throughout the year. All students are requested to perform in the year-end June recitals.

Book Recitals

Book Recitals are scheduled four or five times each year. These are for students who have completed a specific level of their studies. Students typically perform three pieces from the Suzuki book that they have completed. This is our way of celebrating the continued progress and achievement of each student.

Enrichment Program

Our Enrichment Program aims to round out the musical experience of our Core Program students. Click here for information about our Enrichment Program.

Click here for the main ESM Programs webpage

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