Enrichment Classes

(Each student is provided one enrichment class as part of the core curriculum covered tuition.)

Choosing Your Enrichment Class:
On the Enrollment Form indicate your four (4) top choices for your Enrichment Class and rank them in order of preference. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that your child will receive one of their top four choices but we try hard to give everyone one of their top four choices. Parents, please check with your student regarding their preferred enrichment options before submitting.  There is a $25 fee for changing enrichment choices and some class changes may not be possible!

Assignment of Enrichment Class
Each student’s schedule is developed with priority to his or her core instrument and musicianship classes. The enrichment class is then assigned, matching the highest ranked choice that best fits the student’s schedule. Placement in an enrichment class also takes into account student’s age and study level.

Non-Suzuki Siblings can enroll in enrichment classes on a space available basis but not until 2 weeks prior to the start of the Institute. We will email you a form with which you may register your non-Suzuki siblings for up to three enrichment classes at $150 per class.

Refunds or Discounts:
Refunds or discounts are NOT provided to students who rank fewer than four (4) options and cannot be matched with an enrichment class. Similarly, refunds or discounts are NOT provided to students who choose not to enroll in an enrichment class.

Enrichment classes open to ALL instruments

Let’s Sing: Children’s Choir

This fun and energetic class will help students understand and utilize their primary instrument, their own voice!  Students will learn how to comfortably use their voice for musical expression through vocalizations, songs, movement, and games in a fun, inclusive, and engaging atmosphere. All children should have the opportunity to use their singing voice in a musically expressive way, no matter what instrument they play!

Open to students age 3-7.

Dalcroze Inspired Music and Movement

Cora Crisman teaches this dynamic class where students in bare feet are moving to music! These active classes will focus primarily on rhythm, but will also include aspects of pitch and phrasing.

Open to students age 4 and up; grouped by age.

Acting classes:

Storybook Theatre: In this unique combination of storytelling and experimental theatre, children will get to act out some of their favorite scenes from some of the most beloved children’s books. (3-6 yrs.)

Theatre 1:  This is a great class for the want-to-be actor! We will introduce the world of acting through warm-up exercises, drama games, short skits, and improv! (7-12 yrs.)

Voice classes:

Group Voice Class 1: 7-12 yrs. Want to learn how to sing and use your voice?  This class is for you! Come and join in learning to use your voice, how to use your breath for singing and to have fun!! You will learn several songs together and have fun! Come and sing with your friends!!

Group Voice Class 2: 13-18 yrs.  Have you always wanted to learn to sing?  Then this class is for you.  Learn songs and how to use your voice and have fun with your friends!  Learn several group songs as well as solos.

Music Together: 

Music Together nurtures each child’s natural musicality in a playful, musically rich learning environment. Our research-based music classes are designed to be non-formal and non-performance oriented, so your child can learn at his or her own pace, in a way that’s developmentally appropriate. We know that children learn differently than adults. They learn instinctively and constantly, and teach themselves through imitation and play, through being immersed in their environment, and through interaction with adults and older children. The family-like setting of Music Together classes creates an ideal learning environment. And it’s all based in research in early childhood and music development.

Open to students ages 4 years old and UNDER. Each student in the class must have a parent or caregiver attend class and participate with them each day.

Cello Only Enrichment Classes

American Fiddle Tunes for Cello and Viola

Crystal Plohman teaches this exciting new class to cello students. In this class, students will explore the genre of American folk and fiddle music in fun new ways on the cello and viola.

Open to cello and viola students Book 2 and up.

CelloRock!

CelloRock! is a class for students looking for new ways to expand their musical knowledge and apply their technical skills to the cello in different ways. Learn how to play a standard rock bass line, improv a little, and collaborate on a chosen rock, pop, or jazz tune. Students in this class will receive their music ahead of time and should come to the Institute familiar with their music.

Open to students 12 and up, in Book 6 and up.

Cello Choir

Learn to play together and blend your cello tone in Cello Choir. Cellists will read score arrangements for multiple parts and develop ensemble skills in a unique way. This class is an opportunity to play classical repertoire as a cello ensemble.  Students in this class will receive their music ahead of time and should come to the Institute familiar with their music.

Open to students Book 3 and up with good note reading proficiency. 

Guitar Only Enrichment Classes

Guitar Styles: From Bach to Rock

The diversity of the guitar is what makes it one of the most popular instruments in the world!

In this course with Christopher Becknell, students will learn more about the styles used in various genres of guitar playing outside of Classical including Folk, Rock, Jazz, and Blues. Students will have fun learning skills fundamental to performing professionally as guitar players in these different styles. They will explore how to read and use TAB, the way popular songs are constructed, and why different types of guitars are used for different genres.

Open to guitar students in Book 4 and up.

Guitar Improvisation Fundamentals

Go beyond “noodling” with some strategies for improvisation that “make sense”.  Students will explore a variety of activities designed to create coherent musical phrases; including how to “target” chord tones and how to leave “space” in your lines.  Taking (musical) risks and making “mistakes” is also encouraged!

Piano Only Enrichment Classes

Improv for Piano Artistry

In this class pianists will explore improvisation that is focused on developing artistry, musicianship and creativity! Inspired by skills for improvisation used in Dalcroze classes (where the teacher improvises music for movement and teaching a variety of musical subjects), we will explore meter, phrase/form, metric transformation, nuance, and dynamics. We will also explore improvisation centered around folk and jazz melodies as well as improvisation that is non jazz oriented, composition skills, & how to make our daily practice and repertoire more exciting, enjoyable and inviting.

Open to piano students age 7-14 years.

 Piano Accompanying Class

Playing with other people is one of the most enjoyable parts of being a musician! Being a strong solo pianist and a strong collaborative pianist require different training. In this course, our piano faculty will help each student develop their piano accompaniment skills.

Students are expected to have prepared the music with complete fluency by the beginning of institute. Students are responsible for bringing their own music to class. Class size is very limited. Solo instrumentalists will be provided.

Open to ages 8 and up. See below for playing requirements.

Viola Only Enrichment Classes

American Fiddle Tunes for Cello and Viola

Learn fun American fiddle tunes and songs from various styles and introductory accompaniment in a fun, relaxed environment with Crystal Plohman Wiegman. Having a minimum playing level of Book 2 guarantees that every student has the intonation, left-hand dexterity, and bow control necessary to learn and play these arrangements, and to do so aurally. Advanced level classes will be composing more advanced arrangements of fiddle standards and learning the technique of chopping accompaniment.

Open to cello and viola students Book 2 and up.

Violin Only Enrichment Classes

American Fiddle Tunes for Violin

Learn fun fiddle tunes and songs from various styles and introductory accompaniment in a fun, relaxed environment with Crystal Plohman Wiegman. Students will get to play their tunes at the CSI square dance! Having a minimum playing level of Book 2 guarantees that every fiddle student has the intonation, left-hand dexterity, and bow control necessary to learn and play these arrangements, and to do so aurally. Advanced level classes will be composing more advanced arrangements of fiddle standards and learning the technique of chopping accompaniment.

Open to violin students in Books 2 and up. Grouped by age/level.

Celtic Fiddle

Delve into the world of Celtic fiddle music with Crystal Plohman Wiegman. Students will have the opportunity to play tunes from Scottish and Irish roots, exploring this genre that was a precursor to American fiddle music. The violin (fiddle) is one of the most important instruments in Celtic repertoire and students will learn about this new style through contrasting pieces as well as traditional slurring and ornamentation techniques.

Open to violin students in Books 3 and up

Swing and Blues Fiddle

Join Crystal Plohman Wiegman for a fun exploration of swing and bluegrass fiddle. Crystal will teach a handful of traditional tunes with the infectious rhythm & powerful bowing that define the style. Students will have the chance to learn accompaniment and dip their feet in improvisation. We will also play the fiddle tunes they learn at the CSI square dance!

Open to violin students in Books 4 and up

Viola for Violinists

Kirby Kay will guide violinists who want to learn to play the viola and to read alto clef using Suzuki and supplementary viola literature!  You will be notified by email by June 1st if you are scheduled for this enrichment so that you can bring an appropriate sized viola. Some violas are available as rentals from Luther Strings. See Instrument Rentals and Repairs to reserve a viola for this class.

Minimum playing level of Violin Book 3; grouped by Suzuki book level.