"Suzuki method" piano lessons?

[cedarst.livejournal.com]

My wife would like to take "Suzuki method" piano lessons, but what I've found so far in Cambridge is quite expensive.  I thought I'd turn to my Davis Square neighbors for any suggestions.  Could be individual or group lessons.  Thanks!

Comments

[freckles42.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, someone who is a certified Suzuki teacher will not come cheaply. It's a popular method - primarily because it works (on the basics, at least - it won't teach you to feel music and it can cause trouble for sightreading later).

I don't know anything specific, but you can always see if you can find a teacher who's willing to teach from the Suzuki books. Obviously, one who's familiar with the books would be preferable, too. Most people who push themselves as Suzuki teachers are certified by them, but any competent teacher should be able to teach them.

Suzuki pianists are, IMO, rarer than Suzuki violinists, so you're already working from a smaller base.

[mamabunny72.livejournal.com]

There's Powers Music School in Belmont. I have no experience with them and don't know how costs compare with what you've found; I just know about them:
http://www.powersmusic.org/programs/private_instruction.html

[anyee.livejournal.com]

What path led her to believe that the Suzuki method was the best way? There are many ways to learn music and if she can be slightly flexible, we'll be able to help more.

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

Teacher search at Suzuki Association of the Americas:
http://suzukiassociation.org/teachers/teacherloc/

Teacher list for Suzuki teachers in MA:
http://www.suzukima.org/index.php?page=find-a-teacher

And - shameless promo - I teach Suzuki piano in Porter Sq. out of my home studio and am happy to answer questions: http://suzukipianolessons.net

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

Just one more note: You mentioned individual vs. group lessons: from my experience, group lessons are never stand-alone lessons. They're meant to be supplementary to individual lessons to teach ideas like group performance (less for pianists) and collaborative learning/reenforcement of skills already acquired from individual lessons. Of course, there is a good chance that some teacher out there has a practiced method for group lessons as stand-alone lessons. I just haven't came across that since I began teaching Suzuki.

I always give one free info session so folks can ask questions about the method and see if it's a good fit for them. I'm not looking to expand my studio, so this is not a sales pitch! I'm just happy to help if I can provide you with more information that will lead you to discover the best piano method for you.