Enrichment Classes
Choosing An Enrichment Class:
Each student is provided one enrichment class as part of the core curriculum covered tuition. Twinkler students are automatically enrolled in Dalcroze for their enrichment class.
On the Enrollment Form for books 1 and up, please 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
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.
Open to students ages 3-7
Dalcroze Music and Movement:
Join Emma Shubin for a joyful and engaging journey into music through movement in this dynamic, whole-body class! Rooted in the Dalcroze Eurhythmics approach, students develop their musicianship by exploring core musical concepts—rhythm, phrasing, pitch, dynamics, and form—through creative movement, interactive games, improvisation, and playful expression.
These classes nurture musical understanding from the inside out, helping children embody music and develop a deep, physical connection to sound. Through imaginative activities and active play, students build coordination, listening skills, spatial awareness, and expressive confidence—skills they can bring to their instruments, ensembles, and the performances stage. No prior musical experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to move, explore, and have fun!
Open to children ages 4 and up, with students grouped by age and level to support social-emotional development and age-appropriate learning.
Outdoor Adventures in the Mountains!
Is your child a mover and a shaker, an explorer of the world? In this new CSI offering, students will experience the outdoors and learn about nature through song, music, movement, and art activities. Young adventurers will engage with the natural world through a range of hands-on experiences, fostering curiosity, creativity, and connection.
Join us for this new offering led by Emma Shubin, made possible in partnership with Integral Steps, a Colorado-based nonprofit dedicated to integrative music, movement, and arts education.
Open to children ages 5-12 – classes divided by age. For students under 12 an adult must present at all times as the students will move outdoors.
Explore the Orchestra:
Designed for students curious about other instruments and siblings who are not yet playing but are interested in starting, this class will explore the character, sounds, and functions of different orchestral instruments. We will visit institute classes to see and hear instruments up close, explore repertoire and pieces that feature each new “guest” instrument, and deepen our experience through movement and listening.
Join us for this new offering led by Emma Shubin, made possible in partnership with Integral Steps, a Colorado-based nonprofit dedicated to integrative music, movement, and arts education.
Open to children 3-7 – For siblings of current Suzuki students and those curious to explore new instruments. A parent must be present in the class at all times, as the class will move to different locations while visiting institute classes.
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 on 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 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.
World Music for Cello
This class will take you on a musical exploration of harmonies and rhythm from different countries. Learn about whole tone and pentatonic scales used in music from Asia. Or discover the unique rhythm combinations and dance patterns from Spain and South American countries. This new class will not only widen your world of music but will also dig into some of the theory behind each unique style.
Open to students in Book 5 and up. Students must be proficiant note readers.
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.
Ear Training Gymnastics
Suzuki gives us a great foundation in ear training, but have we really explored the outer limits of this ability? In this class, guest faculty Christopher Luther will go deeper into intervals, chords, melodies, rhythms, alternative styles, active listening, and more.
Open to students who play violin, viola, cello and guitar, book 4 and above.
Guitar 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!
Open to guitar students in late Book 2 (can play Corrente at the time of institute) up to advanced. Some knowledge of major scales required.
Ear Training Gymnastics:
Suzuki gives us a great foundation in ear training, but have we really explored the outer limits of this ability? In this class, guest faculty Christopher Luther will go deeper into intervals, chords, melodies, rhythms, alternative styles, active listening, and more.
Open to students who play violin, viola, cello and guitar, book 4 and above.
Viola 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.
Ear Training Gymnastics
Suzuki gives us a great foundation in ear training, but have we really explored the outer limits of this ability? In this class, guest faculty Christopher Luther will go deeper into intervals, chords, melodies, rhythms, alternative styles, active listening, and more.
Open to students who play violin, viola, cello and guitar, book 4 and above.
Violin Enrichment Classes
Bach Double!
Taught by Lauren Cless, in this class students will go deep to understand and perform the Concerto for Two Violins by Bach. What makes this piece so special and beloved by violinists? How do we achieve an excellent performance of this concerto? Students will work both in partners and as a large ensemble to put the piece together in detail and this work will culminate in a performance at the last class.
Level requirement is completion of book 4 and that the student has learned and memorized the Bach Double – either first or second violin part.
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.
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 Dennis 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.
Ear Training Gymnastics
Suzuki gives us a great foundation in ear training, but have we really explored the outer limits of this ability? In this class, guest faculty Christopher Luther will go deeper into intervals, chords, melodies, rhythms, alternative styles, active listening, and more.
Open to students who play violin, viola, cello and guitar, book 4 and above.
reading skills.
Piano Enrichment Classes
Practical Piano Skills:
This class for the advancing pianist will focus on skills that are often underdeveloped in young players. With Faculty member Peter Friesen, students will learn tricks to enhance their sight reading, learn to understand and play lead sheets and accompaniments from chord symbols, how to transpose, and how to apply basic music theory concepts.
Open to piano students late Book 2 or above. Student should understand how to build major and minor chords, and identify major key signatures up to two sharps and flats.
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 late Book 1 and Book 2
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. Please note that the accompanying levels are not equivalent to a Suzuki book number, but there are repertoire prerequisites listed for each level.
Freshman Accompanying – Prerequisite playing levels:
- Has performed duets from Kaleidoscope book 1 by Jon George, Alfred Publisher
- Performed Bach Minuets as solos
Prepare three of these pieces for this class:
- No. 4 --Hail to Springtime
- No. 10 – Yodler’s Tune
- No. 12 – First Symphony
- No. 13 – The Bells
- Suzuki Violin Book 1, Piano Accompaniments: Allegretto, Andantino, or Allegro
There are potentially several required accompaniment books for this class. Please check the requirements for your level carefully. Books can be purchased at any music store or online. A link has been provided for each book at www.sheetmusic.com
For Freshman Level:
Accompanying the Violin AND Suzuki Violin Book 1 piano part
Accompanying the Violin by Katherine Johnson – Link for purchase
Suzuki Violin Book 1 Piano Accompaniment – Link for purchase
Sophomore Accompanying – Prerequisite playing levels:
- Has performed Clementi Sonatina, Op. 36, no. 3.
Prepare two of these pieces for this class:
- No. 14 – Conquering Hero
- No. 15 – Scherzo
- No. 17 – First Minuet
- No. 18 -- Second Minuet
- Suzuki Violin Book 1, Piano Accompaniments: Gossec Gavotte
- Suzuki Violin Book 2, Piano Accompaniments: Witches’ Dance or Gavotte from “Mignon”
There are potentially several required accompaniment books for this class. Please check the requirements for your level carefully. Books can be purchased at any music store or online. A link has been provided for each book at www.sheetmusic.com
For Sophomore Level:
Accompanying the Violin AND Suzuki Violin Book 1 AND Book 2 piano part
Accompanying the Violin by Katherine Johnson – Link for purchase
Suzuki Violin Book 1 Piano Accompaniment – Link for purchase
Suzuki Violin Book 2 Piano Accompaniment – Link for purchase
Junior Accompanying – Prerequisite playing levels:
- Has performed Beethoven Sonata, Op. 49, no. 2
Prepare two of these pieces for this class:
- No. 22 – Third Minuet
- No. 24 – March
- No. 26 – Fourth Minuet
- Suzuki Violin Book 2, Piano Accompaniments: Two Grenadiers or Witches’ Dance
- Suzuki Violin Book 3, Piano Accompaniments: Humoresque
There are potentially several required accompaniment books for this class. Please check the requirements for your level carefully. Books can be purchased at any music store or online. A link has been provided for each book at www.sheetmusic.com
For Junior Level:
Accompanying the Violin AND Suzuki Violin Books 2 & 3 piano part
Accompanying the Violin by Katherine Johnson – Link for purchase
Suzuki Violin Book 2 Piano Accompaniment – Link for purchase
Suzuki Violin Book 3 Piano Accompaniment – Link for purchase
Senior Accompanying – Prerequisite playing levels:
- Has performed Bach 2 Part Invention No. 8
For class, please prepare to complete fluency:
- Any 2 Seitz Concerti from “Suzuki Violin Book 4, Piano Accompaniments
- 2 to 3 additional pieces from “Accompanying the Violin” or another piece from “Suzuki Violin Book 4 Accompaniments”
Fluency includes: Rhythmic accuracy, ability to count the beats and sub-divisions, proper speed (refer to the metronome markings), note accuracy plus rests, slurs, staccatos, etc., ability to listen to the other part and coordinate with it, and be able to start at any measure (please add measure numbers)
There are potentially several required accompaniment books for this class. Please check the requirements for your level carefully. Books can be purchased at any music store or online. A link has been provided for each book at www.sheetmusic.com
For Senior Level:
Accompanying the Violin AND Suzuki Book 4 piano part
Accompanying the Violin by Katherine Johnson – Link for purchase
Suzuki Violin Book 4 Piano Accompaniment – Link for purchase
