What is Suzuki?
Dr. Suzuki believed that all children could learn music to a high level and that they would indeed be happier, kinder, more noble people by doing so. He believed that if children learn their mother tongue at a young age, why not also the language of music?
For a successful and happy experience, here are the essentials:
Weekly private lessons (length TBD by student age and level, at teacher’s recommendation)
Daily listening to the reference recording
Daily practice with a parent who attends the lessons. The parent does not need to be a musician, but does need to bring a notebook and recording device. Phones with video cameras are wonderful to record sections of the lesson!
Attending group classes with other children for fun, motivation, and reinforcement of what they have learned.
New this Fall: Step Dancing!
Learn the basics of percussive step dance in this class, with dances based in Irish step dancing, Cape Breton step dancing, Appalachian clogging, and tapdance. Music and dance have always been intrinsically linked together and we are acknowledging this connection by offering an opportunity for PSS students to learn how to dance!
The ability to dance strengthens and expands the music student's musicianship by giving them the ability to move their bodies fluidly and rhythmically to music. Deirdre has taught step dancing to children for over 20 years and is passionate about the joy and fun that dance adds to the musical experience! Get ready to learn how to move artfully to music and turn your feet into a percussive instrument!
“Celtic Spring brought Deidre lots of really cool opportunities like traveling all over the States, and to Europe and Australia to perform at festivals, schools, and theaters and their band was featured on TV including Good Morning America, the Today Show, and America's Got Talent, in which they placed in the top five of Season One.”
Annual Cost: $70 PSS students / $84 students from other programs
Ensembles
Our programs are for students ages 3-18. Adults occasionally join us. Group class is an essential part of a successful Suzuki experience and is taken in addition to private lessons.
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For beginners on the violin and their parent practice partners. Students enjoy games and exercises with their friends while learning posture, rhythm and basic musical skills.
Separate classes, they both include Music Mind Games and Movement, or a Reading Class.
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For students ages 3-7, an interactive, full body approach to teaching music in a cooperative, fun environment. Basic musical elements and performance skills are introduced by inspiring each student's natural ability to learn through the use of games, songs, and props. These elements include the musical alphabet, the grand staff, rhythm, symbols, tempo, dynamics, posture, awareness and expression.
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For students ages 8 and up who are not yet in orchestra. Students learn how to clap, count and play basic rhythms, the grand staff, and get ready to read music.
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Violin and cello students are grouped in their instrument-specific repertoire
class and Allegro Orchestra, which is usually a students’ first orchestra experience. Students learn how to follow a conductor, play together and listen to each other. Students perform approximately two or three concerts (in December, March and May).
Pre-requsite: Finish I Can Read Music Volume 1 by Joanne Martin, and be studying in Suzuki Book 2/3. -
High caliber pre-professional string chamber orchestra which performs a wide variety of standard string orchestra literature several times a year.
Prerequisite: Suzuki Book 6 or the equivalent, 3 octave scales all major and minor keys, arpeggios. Comfort in sight-reading, upper positions, advanced technical command, mature tone, intonation and vibrato.
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Students learn to listen, collaborate and communicate through music in small groups.
Prerequisite: Suzuki Book 4 and above, or equivalent. For strings, advanced pianists and wind players. Audition required for non-PSS students.
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Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras is a great opportunity for advanced strings players. To learn more, visit:
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Fiddling is an Elective program, open to all PSS students. The Pineland Fiddlers explore the traditional music of Maine, with roots in the Scots-Irish, French Canadian, and Maritime Traditions.
Students have opportunities to perform at Contra Dances, concerts, festivals, community events, and occasional travel engagements.
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQs page or reach out anytime.
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Getting started is simple: reach out through our contact form or fill out our interest form!
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.