Getting Started With SuzukiPortland & SuzukiLakeOswego
Beginning parents can get started with SuzukiPortland violin lessons & viola lessons, SuzukiLakeOswego cello lessons & piano lessons, the combined SuzukiPortland & SuzukiLakeOswego Early Childhood Education Program, and our other programs by doing the following:
- Read the Parent Education page.
- Call the Suzuki Portland Studio director Ms. Catherine Whelan (violin lessons, viola lessons, Early Childhood Program) at 503 244 6190 or the Suzuki Lake Oswego studio director Dr. Valdine Mishkin (cello lessons, piano lessons, music theory lessons), at 503 635 3742 to make an appointment to observe the program level of your choice.
- Observation by the parent is required prior to entering the program.
- If immediate space is available, a student may join mid-semester. If not, their name will be placed in a wait pool.
- Purchase the Revised Edition of the Suzuki Violin, Viola or Cello CD, or the Suzuki Baby Class CD. Play it regularly in your student’s environment.
- Transfer students are welcome and should prepare a polished piece when meeting the teacher.
- For children entering the Early Childhood Education Age 3-4 class, the teacher will assess the student’s readiness to handle a violin or cello. Instruments are not needed to begin this class. Appropriate care and handling of instruments is taught in all lessons.
- The Baby Class age 0-3 does not require the purchase of a violin or cello.
- Good quality violins, violas, and cellos sized correctly for children, can be rented at David Kerr Violins, 503.238.4515. It is best that you get the instrument after the teacher has sized your child. Sizing an instrument for a child is an art with differing views. Please consult with your teacher before renting or purchasing an instrument.
