About Us

The mission of the Suzuki Music School of Michiana is to educate and develop individuals to their highest potential and aptitude through music, utilizing the Suzuki Method in a nurturing, encouraging environment while incorporating community outreach and education.

Children as young as newborns begin their music education with the Sound Beginnings class and then progress either to Music and Movement class or to individual and group classes of their selected instrument – cello, piano, viola or violin. Children typically begin training on a specific instrument between the ages of three and six, depending on the child’s interest and motivation; however, it is never too late to begin instruction on an instrument with the Suzuki method.

New students may apply at any time during the year and will be accepted if there are openings. The summer session is usually the best time to begin instruction on an instrument for those students new to the Suzuki method.

Students receiving instruction on an instrument are involved in Suzuki classes twice a week, once for group lessons and once for an individual lesson. Group repertoire classes (30 minutes) and group theory/reading/ensemble classes (30 minutes) meet either Mondays (cello, viola and violin) or Thursday (piano). Exact class times for both lessons are determined by the level of the student. Generally, the classes for beginners are from 4:30p.m. – 5:35p.m. Individual lessons (20-60 minutes depending on level of student) are scheduled directly with the child’s teacher, based on a mutually convenient day.

For those students (0-3 years old) enrolled in the Sound Beginnings class, it meets on Monday & Tuesday mornings in Granger & Thursday mornings in Plymouth throughout the school year.

For those students (4-5 years old) enrolled in Music and Movement class, parents may select sessions on Mondays or Thursdays.

All students are involved in concerts, recitals, and/or informal demonstrations during the school year. This provides fun opportunities to play the repertoire they have mastered in a wide variety of venues. Most performances require students to wear their Suzuki Music School of Granger performance shirt with black pants/skirt and shoes.

History of Suzuki Music School

 

Suzuki Music School is a nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Jean Stucky under the name of Suzuki Talent Education of Michiana. It was created originally to provide the children of Goshen and the surrounding areas with a musical education based on the teachings of the late Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.

In 1976, the organization opened another branch in the South Bend area, with classes meeting in the living room of a supportive friend and member of the South Bend Symphony. Classes later moved to a church in the community. The organization was later consolidated in Granger.

In 1991, when the church was no longer able to meet the physical needs of the growing organization, Mike & Joyce Davis and Dick & Dolores Wilson generously purchased the property on Gumwood Road for the school to use as its permanent home. Joyce Davis has served as Music Director since 1987.

In late 1999, the school changed its name from Suzuki Talent Education of Michiana to Suzuki Music School, Inc.  In the spring of 2007 we revised the name to: Suzuki Music School of Granger, Inc. In 2017, we changed our name to Suzuki Music School of Michiana, Inc. with locations in Granger & Plymouth.