PRESTO Offers Instruction in Suzuki Violin, Other Instruments

SALISBURY, MD---PRESTO, the Preparatory School of Music at Salisbury University, offers Suzuki group violin classes for children ages 3-6.

Based on the principles developed by Shinichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist and pedagogue, Suzuki talent education combines a music teaching method with a philosophy that embraces the total development of the child. Based on Suzuki’s language acquisition theories, the method emphasizes listening to music daily, parental involvement and a positive environment in the class and at home.

Bethany Freesen, a Suzuki-trained instructor and graduate of Lee University, teaches the classes.

PRESTO also offers private instruction in strings (violin, viola, cello and bass), piano, voice, guitar and most orchestral and band instruments.

Students participate in 12 weekly sessions each semester, culminating with a student recital in May in Holloway Hall. Cost for private lessons begins at $295 per semester for 30 minutes, which comes out to less than $25/lesson. Lessons for 45 minutes and one hour also are available. Half-hour sessions with student teachers are available for $216 per semester. Cost for Suzuki group lessons is $225 per semester for 50-minute classes.

Lessons and classes are offered on weekday afternoons. Except for piano, students are required to bring their own instruments. A limited number of need-based scholarships to students will be offered. Students must be participating in their school music program to be eligible for scholarships.

Registration begins Tuesday, January 21, and lessons and classes begin the week of February 10. To sign up call PRESTO at the SU Music Department at 410-548-2985, or e-mail Helene English at hdenglish@salisbury.edu or Dr. Sachi Murasugi at scmurasugi@salisbury.edu.

For more information visit the PRESTO Web site at www.salisbury.edu/musicdept/presto.