Frequently Asked Questions
How can I sign my child up for DTE?
In order to participate in DTE, your private teacher must be part of DTE. Registration forms can be obtained from your private teacher. Teachers who send students have completed or are in the process of completing their Suzuki training through the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA).
Can I drop my child off for classes each Saturday?
No. We are not responsible for your child during or in between class times. One of the beautiful aspects of the Suzuki method is the “Suzuki Triangle” – a visual symbol of the relationship between the child, the parent, and the teacher. Each is inherently dependent upon the other to fulfill their role in the learning and growing process. You, as the parent, are the home teacher and a vital part of their musical training. Group classes are also a vital part of this process. Your presence indicates to your child that you think that what they are learning here is so important that you want to hear it too!
Why are group classes so important? Aren’t private lessons enough?
Learning can’t happen in a vacuum! Private lessons are essential and fundamental, but group lessons can help bring the music to life. They bring practicing into a social setting that is interactive and fun. Playing with other students at their level and hearing more advanced students perform as individuals and with their class motivates young players like nothing else can. At DTE, students are often working with a teacher other than their private teacher, which means they learn new ways to play pieces, new exercises to strengthen their playing and a new vocabulary to describe techniques that they already know. This all leads to an expanded understanding of music and their instrument.
Group classes also provide parents with an opportunity to meet other Suzuki parents who can become a support group for you, the home teacher.
Group classes are …..
A fun way to strengthen what you already know.
A time to review old pieces and try them in new ways.
A venue to perform on recitals and concerts
A place to be exposed to more advanced pieces and musicians
A forum for meeting other Suzuki students and parents in your community
A fun way to learn ensemble skills at the beginning and intermediate level
A time to reinforce what you are doing in lessons and at home
A venue for learning concert and recital etiquette
A forum for building your music vocabulary and experience
How do I sign up to play on one of the recitals?
Throughout the year we offer recitals between classes. Any registered student is welcome to perform. Sign-up sheets are available at the information table at every DTE.
1.) Pieces must be memorized.
2.) Your private teacher must sign to approve you playing that specific piece on that date. We will not allow students that have not received their private teacher’s approval to perform.
3.) The time listed next to your name is your rehearsal time with the accompanist on the day of their performance. If you are not your rehearsal time, you will not be able to perform that day.
4.) Sign-up early! Don’t procrastinate!! There is a limited amount of space with only about six or seven recitals a year. The last couple of recitals fill up quickly, and we have to close them.
5.) Please only sign up for one recital for the year so that other students have an opportunity to perform as well.
What do I do if I feel that my child is in the wrong class?
We do our best to place each student in a class that is appropriate for their level. Please discuss the issue with your private teacher. If you both agree that a move would be best, then your private teacher can contact DTE to let us know that a change is needed.
It is normal in Suzuki group classes for a student to sit and listen when the class is playing songs that have not yet been polished.
If your student is the most advanced in a class, but would be the least advanced in the next class up, our suggestion is to stay in the lower class to allow for the most playing time.
I am a Suzuki teacher in the Denver area and am interested in having my students be a part of your program. What do I need to do?
We would be happy to send you the criteria for associate teachers upon request.
In order to participate in DTE, your private teacher must be part of DTE. Registration forms can be obtained from your private teacher. Teachers who send students have completed or are in the process of completing their Suzuki training through the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA).
Can I drop my child off for classes each Saturday?
No. We are not responsible for your child during or in between class times. One of the beautiful aspects of the Suzuki method is the “Suzuki Triangle” – a visual symbol of the relationship between the child, the parent, and the teacher. Each is inherently dependent upon the other to fulfill their role in the learning and growing process. You, as the parent, are the home teacher and a vital part of their musical training. Group classes are also a vital part of this process. Your presence indicates to your child that you think that what they are learning here is so important that you want to hear it too!
Why are group classes so important? Aren’t private lessons enough?
Learning can’t happen in a vacuum! Private lessons are essential and fundamental, but group lessons can help bring the music to life. They bring practicing into a social setting that is interactive and fun. Playing with other students at their level and hearing more advanced students perform as individuals and with their class motivates young players like nothing else can. At DTE, students are often working with a teacher other than their private teacher, which means they learn new ways to play pieces, new exercises to strengthen their playing and a new vocabulary to describe techniques that they already know. This all leads to an expanded understanding of music and their instrument.
Group classes also provide parents with an opportunity to meet other Suzuki parents who can become a support group for you, the home teacher.
Group classes are …..
A fun way to strengthen what you already know.
A time to review old pieces and try them in new ways.
A venue to perform on recitals and concerts
A place to be exposed to more advanced pieces and musicians
A forum for meeting other Suzuki students and parents in your community
A fun way to learn ensemble skills at the beginning and intermediate level
A time to reinforce what you are doing in lessons and at home
A venue for learning concert and recital etiquette
A forum for building your music vocabulary and experience
How do I sign up to play on one of the recitals?
Throughout the year we offer recitals between classes. Any registered student is welcome to perform. Sign-up sheets are available at the information table at every DTE.
1.) Pieces must be memorized.
2.) Your private teacher must sign to approve you playing that specific piece on that date. We will not allow students that have not received their private teacher’s approval to perform.
3.) The time listed next to your name is your rehearsal time with the accompanist on the day of their performance. If you are not your rehearsal time, you will not be able to perform that day.
4.) Sign-up early! Don’t procrastinate!! There is a limited amount of space with only about six or seven recitals a year. The last couple of recitals fill up quickly, and we have to close them.
5.) Please only sign up for one recital for the year so that other students have an opportunity to perform as well.
What do I do if I feel that my child is in the wrong class?
We do our best to place each student in a class that is appropriate for their level. Please discuss the issue with your private teacher. If you both agree that a move would be best, then your private teacher can contact DTE to let us know that a change is needed.
It is normal in Suzuki group classes for a student to sit and listen when the class is playing songs that have not yet been polished.
If your student is the most advanced in a class, but would be the least advanced in the next class up, our suggestion is to stay in the lower class to allow for the most playing time.
I am a Suzuki teacher in the Denver area and am interested in having my students be a part of your program. What do I need to do?
We would be happy to send you the criteria for associate teachers upon request.