About

Karen Axt began teaching violin in May of 2006. In her fifth year of teaching, she opened the Suzuki School of Violin to support and further develop a rapidly growing business. The school, comprised of ages 4 - adult, applies the Suzuki Method, founded by Dr. Suzuki, in order to help students of all ages become accomplished violinists, regardless of musical background or talent.

As a thread weaving throughout lessons, recitals and communication, Karen works especially to incorporate Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy (and published book) of “Nurtured by Love”. Proper and careful instruction, patience, humor, positive surroundings and a non-competitive atmosphere all contribute to the environment Karen strives to establish within her school.

 

Suzuki Method

The Suzuki Method is based on the philosophy that talent can be learned, just as one’s native language is learned, and that talent does not have to be inherited. Like language immersion, the more immersed the student is in the music environment, the faster he or she learns the instrument. Just as single words are built into sentences, and sentences are built into fluent conversation, four variations of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star provide the foundational building blocks for a rich beautiful tone and fluency in playing the instrument. But without hearing the language, a child does not learn to speak; without listening to the songs (contained on the Suzuki cd’s and correlating song-for-song with the Suzuki books), the student learns at a slower pace. The following are four key components to learning the violin with the Suzuki Method:

• slow and careful instruction (a “building-block” method) provided by the teacher
• consistent (daily) and diligent practice by the student
• listening (listening daily to the Suzuki cd significantly boosts progress in the instrument)
• parent involvement (especially for young children); parent sits in on the lesson, takes notes, and practices with the student during the week. It’s a team effort.

LESSONS

Private Lessons

Private lessons are weekly and run all year long.

Group Lessons

Bi-monthly group lessons begin once the student has passed Perpetual Motion in Bk 1. Group lessons run from 30 - 60 minutes, depending on how many songs the student is able to play. Although these lessons are not mandatory, a student must be enrolled in group lessons in order to participate in group recitals.

Lesson Location

Lessons are held at St. Mary’s Visitation parish in Elm grove. St. Mary’s is located on Juneau Blvd., in between Crescent Dr. and Church St. side streets.

13000 Juneau Ave.,
Elm Grove, WI 53122

In-home lessons are offered on an “as-accepted” basis and for an additional fee. All depends entirely on location and scheduling.
Please contact Karen to discuss this possibility.

Tuition

Tuition is based on four private lessons per month and six group lessons per trimester(see tuition form for details), regardless of the number of private and/or group lessons given.* Tuition remains the same regardless of the number of missed or cancelled lessons. No tuition will be charged for a 4th student in one family. There is a Travel Fee for in-home lessons to cover mileage, car expenses and travel time. Travel Fee will be waived for families with three children enrolled in violin lessons. DOWNLOAD PRICING INFO AND POLICIES.

* For example, one month there may be a 5th week / lesson. This lesson will either be free or will make up for a previously missed or cancelled lesson by the student. Regarding group lessons, although there are eight scheduled group lessons per trimester, only six will be paid for. This allows for cancellations by the teacher due to inclement weather or lack of enough students to hold a group lesson on a given week.