Suzuki Beginners Piano Camp (ages 4-10)

Come join us at the Oberlin Community Music School for an fun and intensive week of piano lessons and musical play! This camp is designed for the beginner and second-year Suzuki piano student and their parent/caregiver.  During the week-long camp students will have daily piano lessons with Mrs. Katie Cross, will participate in complimentary musical games and movement classes, and will have free time to do arts and crafts.

New to the Suzuki method?  Here are some guiding principles for you:

Dr. Suzuki developed a method that is based on the tenet that all children are capable and deserving of becoming great musicians and music lovers.

The method is based on how young people learn language. Dr. Suzuki called this the mother-tongue approach. When teaching young people how to read, we do not ask them to read before they can speak. Young people do not learn words for the purpose of learning to read a book; they learn to speak so that they can express themselves. In the Suzuki method, it's the same! We teach students by ear first so they can express themselves through music. Each technical exercise is presented within the context of music and intended to develop the ability to communicate through music.

We encourage students to listen to music – a LOT. We know children learn words from listening. Similarly, listening to music offers students a bigger vocabulary for musical expression.

Family involvement is also a big part of student learning. Whether it’s a parent, grandparent, guardian, or an adult who is regularly involved in a young person’s life, it is this person who will attend camp, learn along with their student, and will be a practice helper at home. Don't worry, your Suzuki teacher will teach you too!

We lead with a positive environment, encouragement and lots of games in our music lessons.

In addition to private lessons, students will take part in group lessons and performances. Students are encouraged to learn with and support one another in their growth. We strongly believe that building musical friendships and community encourages students to continue studying their instrument as they age.

The purpose of learning music is not to become a professional musician (although for some this passion becomes a reality), but instead, our goal is to support young people in their development as life-long learners and become kind-hearted people! Music gives us skill sets well beyond our instruments, and we focus on developing those skill sets alongside our instrumental technique.

Dates:  Monday, June 16 - Friday, June 20, 2025
Hours:  8:45am-12:00pm
Location: Oberlin Community Music School (315 E. College St., Oberlin, OH 44074)
Tuition:  $150.  Scholarship assistance is available.  If you are an already registered CMS student who is receiving scholarship assistance, we will use the application that you have already submitted. If you are a new student to CMS, please fill out our scholarship application and provide proof of income.
Registration deadline:  June 1, 2025. Please complete our online registration form.
Payment deadline:  June1, 2025.  Make payment through our online payment portal.