Getting Started

• Call Catherine Whelan at 503.244.6190. A time will be arranged for you to come and observe the program you are interested in.
• Consider reading Dr. Suzuki’s book, Nurtured By Love. It will help you ask questions that are of interest to you personally, when you come to observe.
• Purchase the Volume one Suzuki Violin or Viola CD right away, and start playing it in your home regularly.

When you are ready to begin, call Catherine at 503.244.6190.

Depending on current space availability, you will either be put on a wait list or you can start immediately. A supply list will be emailed to you that will help you gather everything you need to get started.

Good quality violins, sized correctly for children, can be rented at David Kerr Violins, 503.238.4515. It is best that you get the violin after the teacher has sized your child. Sizing a violin for a child is an art, with many differing views. Please consult with Catherine on the sizing before you go to the shop.

Violists are extremely fortunate to be able to get fine small children’s violas, (as small as the equivalent to a 1/16 size violin), with true pitch on the C string and excellent viola timbre, from Bernard Sabatier in Paris, France. Catherine deals directly with M. Sabatier when purchasing the violas. We have a number in the program already, that may come available for sale or rental. New purchases, however, take time as the violas are hand made for each individual order.

Tuition and Fees:

Baby Class (ages 0-3)

$200 per 15 week semester. This class is one hour long (
Max 12 parent-child pairs per class)

Early Childhood Program (ages 3-4)

$375 per semester
1 hour class per week, 3-5 children per class,
Parent participation required

Individual Lessons and Repertory Group Class

Tuition includes 15 Individual Lessons and 15 Group Classes

30 Minute Lesson/Group Class — $600
45 Minute Lesson/Group Class— $770
1 hour Lesson/Group Class — $900
Hourly Rate — $60

For Adults

30 minute lesson with no group class — $400

Tuition is paid before beginning each semester. A semester is 15 weeks long.
There are three semesters per year, making lessons available 45 weeks of the year.

Artwork: excerpted from “Maia and Noah,” original drawing by Noah
Early Childhood student, age 5.

For more information contact Catherine Whelan
503.244.6190 Email catherine AT suzukiportland dot com

Home | Instruction | Philosophy | Events | Resources | Contact