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Suzuki Strings
Nurturing Young Musicians, Inspiring Academic Excellence
At Moravian Academy, the Suzuki Strings Program introduces students to violin, cello, and viola beginning in pre-kindergarten and growing through Grade 5, with many continuing into Middle and Upper School orchestras. What makes the program unique is its family-centered approach: parents learn alongside their children, attending lessons, practicing at home, and even performing together at concerts. Guided by the Suzuki Method’s “mother-tongue approach,” which mirrors the way children acquire language through repetition, encouragement, and immersion, young musicians develop skills by listening, clapping rhythms, singing, and playing. Today, more than 100 Lower School students—nearly half the student body—participate in Suzuki Strings, making music a vibrant part of campus culture. Beyond building musical ability, the program nurtures memory, focus, literacy, and confidence, offering lifelong benefits that extend far beyond the stage.
A Community of Learners
One of the distinctive hallmarks of Moravian Academy’s Suzuki String Program is its emphasis on family involvement. Parents participate alongside their children, attending lessons and learning how to support daily practice at home. This partnership between parent, child, and teacher reinforces learning, nurtures confidence, and strengthens the home-school connection.
As students progress through the program, they move from foundational skills such as clapping rhythms, singing, and holding an instrument to playing increasingly complex pieces of music. Parents and students listen to recordings together and incorporate music into everyday routines, creating an immersive learning environment.
Why It Matters
The Suzuki approach, founded by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki, mirrors the way children learn their first language — through listening, repetition, and loving encouragement. This “mother-tongue approach” has proven transformative for generations of Moravian Academy students, who develop not only musical skill but also enhanced cognitive abilities, executive functioning, and creativity.
By weaving music into the fabric of daily learning, Moravian Academy empowers students to excel academically while nurturing their confidence, curiosity, and love of learning.
