Dates
Fall & Spring Sessions
Ages
5–18
The Suzuki & Pre-College Guitar Program offers comprehensive instruction for all skill levels with unique access to university resources and a close relationship with UWM’s highly regarded Guitar Program, including concerts and master classes with distinguished visiting artists. Lessons and performance opportunities provide a solid foundation in classical guitar while equipping students with the basic skills to be versatile in any style.
Overview
The Suzuki & Pre-College Guitar Programs are designed to match your child’s age, educational needs and level of playing.
Students learn through a combination of weekly individual lessons and group classes and periodic solo and ensemble recitals. Individual lessons are scheduled during the week. Saturday Group classes are organized by level of playing, age, and sight-reading skills. Ensemble playing is a significant aspect of these classes providing lifelong skills such as teamwork and cooperation.
Suzuki & Guitar Fundamentals
Beginning students enroll in our Suzuki Guitar Program, the only one of its kind in Southeastern Wisconsin, or in Guitar Fundamentals, a small weekly group class designed as an introduction to the guitar and the study of music. Guitar Fundamentals prepares children for private guitar instruction in our Suzuki program.
Students may enter the Suzuki Guitar program beginning at age 5. The Suzuki “Talent Education” method is based on the principle that all children can learn multiple skills in the same natural way that they learn to speak their native language. Just as children learn to speak before they read, Suzuki students learn to listen and produce sounds on their instruments before reading music. Reading music comes only after basic technical skills have been mastered.
Suzuki students progress through a developmentally sequenced repertoire. Students maintain their repertoire through continuous review, just as children retain all the first words in their language vocabulary. They do this by practicing and by listening to a variety of music daily, including recordings of their current repertoire. This process builds musicianship as well as memory, technique, aural skills, stamina, and confidence.
Parental involvement is essential for the success and development of youngsters in the Suzuki program. Parents are required to be present at weekly private lessons and group classes, taking an active part in the learning process. Learn more about the Suzuki method.
Pre-College & College Preparatory
The Pre-College Program offers high-caliber instruction, performance opportunities, and artistic mentoring in one comprehensive curriculum. This designed to provide broad guitar instruction to children aged 11-18 of all skill levels. The emphasis is on the development of technique, musicianship, and strong sight reading skills. Our goal is to equip the guitarist with the necessary tools he or she needs to perform in a variety of situations, both solo and ensemble.
The accelerated College Preparatory Program is ideal for students anticipating pursuing a career in music. College prep students participate fully in the activities of UWM’s Guitar Program as they become acquainted with major pedagogical schools and expand their knowledge of the instrument repertoire. Students interested in participating in the college preparatory program should contact us to arrange an audition.
Instructors
- Music Coach, Suzuki Guitar
- yanovska@uwm.edu
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 230B
Registration
Registration includes 15 individual lessons and 10 weekly group classes for a full semester. Cost includes a non-refundable $40 deposit. It does not cover music or books, although some instructional materials will be provided.
| Session | Cost |
|---|---|
| 30 minute private lessons and group classes | $595 |
| 45 minute private lessons and group classes | $775 |
| 60 minute private lessons and group classes | $955 |
| Guitar fundamentals (without private lessons) | $250* |
*Subject to availability. Please reach out to confirm program offering prior to registration.
Policies & Procedures
Payment
No student will be admitted to individual lessons or group classes prior to payment. Fees must be paid in their entirety by the first private lesson unless you have registered for the two-payment plan. Tuition will be pro-rated for late enrollees.
Withdrawals & Refunds
Registration is for the entire semester. If a student withdraws before the third individual lesson and has already paid in full, he/she will receive a 75% refund of the tuition, minus the non-refundable deposit. Refunds for those on the payment plan will be pro-rated. Notice of intent to withdraw must be submitted in writing prior to the third lesson. Refunds may take 4-6 weeks to process. No other refunds will be made.
Make-up Lessons
Lesson cancellation and make-up policies are designed to be fair for both the teacher and the student. Students who are late cannot be guaranteed their lesson time for that day. Faculty will wait for a student for one-third of the scheduled lesson duration; students are asked to do the same. If the instructor cancels a lesson or class, a make-up will be offered at a mutually convenient time. Classes will not be offered when UWM is closed due to weather conditions: Instruction missed because of an official closing cannot be made up. There are no make-ups for missed group classes. Cancellations by students due to illness may be made up under the following conditions: No more than one make-up for a private lesson is allowed per term. Students must give a 24-hour notice of cancellation.
Minors
Safety of our students is of paramount importance to UWM. To this end we require that parents are present in all lessons. Our instructors will not start the lesson without a parent present. Neither UWM nor the instructor will accept custodial care of a student at any time.