About the Suzuki Method

The Suzuki Method is a way of learning music first developed in the mid-20th century by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. Basing his method on the observation that virtually all children easily learn their native language, Dr. Suzuki created a system that enables music to be learned in the same way that language is acquired. He  created for his students an environment of immersion in beautifully played music, and found that they in turn learned to play music beautifully. Dr. Suzuki believed that given the right environment, any child could learn an ability at a high level.

In the Suzuki Method, students learn first through listening, watching and imitating good tone and technique. Even very young children are able to learn advanced skills very well because the Suzuki Method teaches skills one small step at a time. Over years of practice, these carefully developed technical skills become second nature, so that when Suzuki students reach the advanced repertoire, their good posture, relaxed hands, and control over the variety of sounds on the piano allow them to freely express their music deeply and without tension.

Today, at the Talent Education Research Institute in Matsumoto, Japan that Suzuki founded, faculty continue to research the best practices for both teaching methodology and playing technique.


"We feel very lucky to be part of the Piano Academy! I didn't know much about the Suzuki Method before my children began learning to play the piano, and I am thrilled that they are benefiting so much from it. The teacher-student-parent relationship is really quite special. It's a wonderful philosophy of music education, and these are outstanding teachers."

-Piano Academy parent Heidi M. Rose, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief, Text and Performance Quarterly

Associate Professor, Department of Communication, Villanova University