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 3-6
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 Music and Movement
Emma Shubin 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.
Broadway Theater: Gotta sing? Gotta dance? In this elective class students ages 8 and up will rehearse a Broadway style number coached by faculty member, Elizabeth Cunha. Students will learn fun choreography and fabulous music with friends, learning to work together as an ensemble away from their primary instruments. Who could ask for anything more?
Open to students ages 8 and up, divided by age.
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.
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.
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.
Improvisation Games without Pressure
There are hundreds of improvisation games for classical players that are fun, develop our creativity, musicality, and connect our movement to music. This class with faculty member Christopher Luther will also be a great opportunity to develop chamber music awareness and communication.
Open to students who play violin, viola, cello and guitar, book 4 and above.
Chamber Ensemble /Orchestra Prep:
This class with Christopher Luther will cover fundamental techniques needed for larger chamber ensembles and orchestral playing. Students will have the opportunity to play music with multiple parts while learning to be together as a section and follow a conductor.
This class is for violin, viola and cellists in late Books 3 and up. Students must have strong reading skills.
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.
Improvisation Games without Pressure
There are hundreds of improvisation games for classical players that are fun, develop our creativity, musicality, and connect our movement to music. This class with faculty member Christopher Luther will also be a great opportunity to develop chamber music awareness and communication.
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.
Improvisation Games without Pressure
There are hundreds of improvisation games for classical players that are fun, develop our creativity, musicality, and connect our movement to music. This class with faculty member Christopher Luther will also be a great opportunity to develop chamber music awareness and communication.
Open to students who play violin, viola, cello and guitar, book 4 and above.
Chamber Ensemble /Orchestra Prep:
This class with Christopher Luther will cover fundamental techniques needed for larger chamber ensembles and orchestral playing. Students will have the opportunity to play music with multiple parts while learning to be together as a section and follow a conductor.
This class is for violin, viola and cellists in late Books 3 and up. Students must have strong reading skills.
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.
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 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.
Improvisation Games without Pressure
There are hundreds of improvisation games for classical players that are fun, develop our creativity, musicality, and connect our movement to music. This class with faculty member Christopher Luther will also be a great opportunity to develop chamber music awareness and communication.
Open to students who play violin, viola, cello and guitar, book 4 and above.
Chamber Ensemble /Orchestra Prep:
This class with Christopher Luther will cover fundamental techniques needed for larger chamber ensembles and orchestral playing. Students will have the opportunity to play music with multiple parts while learning to be together as a section and follow a conductor.
This class is for violin, viola and cellists in late Books 3 and up. Students must have strong 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 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.
Level 1 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 Level 1:
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
Level 2 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 Level 2:
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
Level 3 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 Level 3:
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
Level 4 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 Level 4:
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
