Ronis Suzuki and Classical Guitar

Instruction offered by the
Ronis Suzuki and Classical Guitar School
501-221-4300 or 501-247-7219

Suzuki Guitar Ages 3 - 18

Much of Dr. Suzuki’s success hinges on what he calls the “Mother Tongue” approach to music education. He realized early in his career that young children are able to learn the art of playing beautiful music much the same way they are able to master their own language. He was not satisfied with the idea that certain children are born talented, but discovered instead that any child, given the proper training and environmental conditions, may develop a high level of ability. Thus talent is not something we are born with, but something which may be learned.

Suzuki guitar lessons may begin at an early age. Children listen to a recording, practice with their parent(s) and perform at every opportunity. The student receives a weekly private or semiprivate lesson, the parent receives instruction in a separate parent education class and the student attends group classes.
Read more articles about the Suzuki Method

Depending on the age of the child, the parent will attend 1 to 3 months of instruction without the child present. Classes will begin when 3 - 4 parents have enrolled for instruction. The tuition will be pro-rated for classes starting mid-semester. The parents take an hour class each week to learn about the Suzuki philosophy and how to teach his or her child in the home lesson. They also learn how to play the first songs in the Suzuki guitar Book 1 and how to read music. During this period, the child listens to the recordings at home, thus ensuring successful learning once the child starts guitar lessons. Pre-twinkles will share a one hour lesson with 1 to 2 other students. After students can play the Variations on a theme of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, they move into the Book 1 and attend group classes.

Students in Book 1 and Book 2 receive a 1/2 hour private lesson each week. They are welcome to observe another student's lesson for a 1/2 hour. A parent attends the lessons with the child. In addition students attend two to three 1hour group lessons per month. The group lessons provide the opportunity for students to play
together as an ensemble and to learn theory and music reading skills. There are community performances such as Riverfest and the Old State House Museum and the Decorative Arts Museum December Open Houses.

Students receive a 45 minute private lesson each week. A parent attends the lessons with the child. In addition students attend two to three 1 hour group lessons per month. The group lessons provide the opportunity for students to play together as an ensemble and to learn theory and music reading skills. There are community performances such as Riverfest and the Old State House Museum and the Decorative Arts Museum December Open Houses.

You will find that the tuition rate is comparable to other quality music programs in Central Arkansas. After you have observed some lessons, the instructor will provide you with information about the cost of the Suzuki Guitar Program.

Suzuki Association of Central Arkansas

Lisa Ronis is a member of the Suzuki Association of Central Arkansas, SACA, and encourages her students and families to join as well. Families pay a membership fee of $140.00 each year due by May 21. Membership in SACA provides the student and parents with the following activities:

A bi-annual two day workshop with extra costs of the workshop subsidized by SACA
An association newsletter and directory
Solo and group recitals
Teacher and student scholarships
A Pizza Party for students who complete 100 days of listening
A year end picnic
Enrichment opportunities such as home concerts and solo recitals
Administrative help which includes billing, collecting and
Tracking fees and help with workshop planning, manning and implementation
An SACA website
Year end trophies & awards
A community for teachers and parents to work together to further the goals and missions outlined for SACA in the bylaws
SACA has a volunteer Board that has worked tirelessly through the years to raise money for use in providing excellence for the students and teachers

Classical Guitar Instruction for Adults

Students studying the classical guitar learn how to properly hold the guitar for maximum ease and comfort. They study the right and left hand technique that is needed for playing the classical guitar repertoire. Although students learn the repertoire by reading music, they can listen to recordings which contain their repertoire played by the classical guitar virtuosos. This helps the students to play musically and to reinforce memorization. The tapes are made available to the students by the instructor. Part of the lesson time is also devoted to theory and reading music. Students are free to suggest what songs they would like to play.

Suzuki Guitar Students and parents enroll for a minimum of two semesters of instruction. Suzuki students must enroll in group lessons. Suzuki Guitar Students and Parents observe one private and one group lesson and take a free consultation lesson before signing up for lessons. Adult students studying classical and folk guitar enroll for a minimum of one semester .

There are no make up lessons for lessons missed by the student. If the instructor is notified 12 hour in advance, lesson might be rescheduled if a time slot is available. The instructor will make up any missed lessons.

Adult students may reschedule lessons if the instructor has been notified 24 hours in advance. All lessons missed by adult students must be made up by the end of the month. Adult students should check their schedules before enrolling in guitar lessons.