New Students! - Interested in Jarvis Preschool Pre-Twinkle?
It is with great pleasure and excitement that I am able to offer you and your child this outreach program at Jarvis Preschool. The Suzuki “Pre-twinkle” Violin Program is designed to provide children the opportunity to start Suzuki Violin lessons during their academic year while here at Jarvis Preschool. The Suzuki method prefers to begin children at the earliest age of 3 to 4 yrs old. During these early years of brain development young children can quickly learn the skills to play violin, along with learning musical pitches and rhythms. Traditionally children are accompanied by their parents to weekly lessons in mid-morning hours at a private studio. Jarvis understands that not all parents and children are able to leave their schools and workplace to do this. Therefore, we would like to invite you to participate in the Jarvis Suzuki “Pre-Twinkle” outreach program for your child during their school day.
What exactly is Suzuki Violin?
The Suzuki Violin Method is an educational approach developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in Japan (1898-1998). It is often referred to as Talent Education. This approach seeks to foster instrumental playing skills in young children in the same way they learn to speak – through imitation and repetition, in a positive, nurturing environment with the help of the mother and the father. Early education in any single area will create fine ability if nurtured by parents to the very youngest of children. According to Dr. Suzuki, every child has talent and can learn to play the violin using this approach. His goal was not to produce prodigies, but to develop in children an appreciation of music, self, and others. It is our intention through the Suzuki “Pre-Twinkle” Violin Program at Jarvis, that we nurture the child’s love of music through positive and fun classes.
For more detailed benefits information on the Suzuki Method please follow the links on the
Home Page of this web site.
How does the Suzuki “Pre-twinkle” Program work?
The Suzuki “Pre-twinkle” Program is designed for children of the preschool age. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each child will be in a small group class for a 30 minute lesson every week. The parent is required to come to the first lesson. This is to make sure that the parent knows what to do to help their child practice. Parents are welcome to come to as many lessons as they can! The children will be given a box violin for the first three/four months of lessons. With this box violin the children will learn the basic posture and care for a real violin. Posture is a vital part of playing violin and we are very careful to make sure that the children can do this part well. We will also begin working on specific rhythm patterns that the children will ultimately learn how to play with their violin. We take these steps slowly so that it is understood by both parent and child. The box violin is included in the fee.
What are my responsibilities as a parent?
How do we fit in with the other “Pre-Twinkle” programs?
Greenville, NC is actually one of the largest Suzuki Communities on the east coast. We contribute that to Mrs. Joanne Bath. Mrs. Bath studied under Dr. Suzuki in Japan in the early 1960’s. She came back to Greenville and nurtured the Suzuki Approach to local children of all ages. She continues to teach children and is the Hardy Distinguished Professor of Suzuki Pedagogy at East Carolina University. The Greenville Suzuki Association (GSA) offers several group lessons, performance opportunities and lots of learning for children and parents! This brings together children from all over Eastern North Carolina. Some of the best friendships will be made during these activities.
What do we do after the “Pre-twinkle” year?
If your child is 3 yrs. old then they may continue for one more year here at Jarvis. Then after the second year of “Pre-Twinkle”, your child will move to a local private teacher who will teach lessons at a time that is convenient for the parent and child after school. I will provide you with a list of teachers. If your child is 4 when they start they will have a private teacher for their second year at another local studio of your choice.
When and how do I register?
You must register during the Orientation period. Enrollment is limited, so parents are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Please contact Mrs. Sypawka for tuition information.
What exactly is Suzuki Violin?
The Suzuki Violin Method is an educational approach developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in Japan (1898-1998). It is often referred to as Talent Education. This approach seeks to foster instrumental playing skills in young children in the same way they learn to speak – through imitation and repetition, in a positive, nurturing environment with the help of the mother and the father. Early education in any single area will create fine ability if nurtured by parents to the very youngest of children. According to Dr. Suzuki, every child has talent and can learn to play the violin using this approach. His goal was not to produce prodigies, but to develop in children an appreciation of music, self, and others. It is our intention through the Suzuki “Pre-Twinkle” Violin Program at Jarvis, that we nurture the child’s love of music through positive and fun classes.
For more detailed benefits information on the Suzuki Method please follow the links on the
Home Page of this web site.
How does the Suzuki “Pre-twinkle” Program work?
The Suzuki “Pre-twinkle” Program is designed for children of the preschool age. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each child will be in a small group class for a 30 minute lesson every week. The parent is required to come to the first lesson. This is to make sure that the parent knows what to do to help their child practice. Parents are welcome to come to as many lessons as they can! The children will be given a box violin for the first three/four months of lessons. With this box violin the children will learn the basic posture and care for a real violin. Posture is a vital part of playing violin and we are very careful to make sure that the children can do this part well. We will also begin working on specific rhythm patterns that the children will ultimately learn how to play with their violin. We take these steps slowly so that it is understood by both parent and child. The box violin is included in the fee.
What are my responsibilities as a parent?
- Each parent should attend lessons when possible. If you cannot attend, the children will be given an instructional sheet on what they did that day so that the parent can help with practicing.
- Practice your child. Practicing should be done daily.
- Purchase a Suzuki Violin CD Vol. 1. Most local music stores have these or you can find it online. The parent is responsible for making sure that the child is listening to the recordings every day.
- Read “Nurtured By Love” by Shinichi Suzuki. It can be purchase at Barnes and Nobles. This book is give you all the information you need on the background of the Suzuki Method and what your goal is for your child.
- The parents will learn to play the violin too! This will help so that they can practice with the child at home. Overtime, these activities together will grow into cherished moments with your child. It also establishes the successful parent-child team. This is one of the best parts!
- Purchase or rent an instrument. This will be done together with the teacher. In October/November we will size each child for the proper fitting of a violin. You will be given all options of whether to rent or buy. Renting is approximately 35$/month and buying is about $60 to $450. We will discuss this in-depth together.
How do we fit in with the other “Pre-Twinkle” programs?
Greenville, NC is actually one of the largest Suzuki Communities on the east coast. We contribute that to Mrs. Joanne Bath. Mrs. Bath studied under Dr. Suzuki in Japan in the early 1960’s. She came back to Greenville and nurtured the Suzuki Approach to local children of all ages. She continues to teach children and is the Hardy Distinguished Professor of Suzuki Pedagogy at East Carolina University. The Greenville Suzuki Association (GSA) offers several group lessons, performance opportunities and lots of learning for children and parents! This brings together children from all over Eastern North Carolina. Some of the best friendships will be made during these activities.
What do we do after the “Pre-twinkle” year?
If your child is 3 yrs. old then they may continue for one more year here at Jarvis. Then after the second year of “Pre-Twinkle”, your child will move to a local private teacher who will teach lessons at a time that is convenient for the parent and child after school. I will provide you with a list of teachers. If your child is 4 when they start they will have a private teacher for their second year at another local studio of your choice.
When and how do I register?
You must register during the Orientation period. Enrollment is limited, so parents are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Please contact Mrs. Sypawka for tuition information.