STEP

WELCOME!

This is the website of the Suzuki Talent Education Program in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Suzuki Talent Education is a music-education philosophy by which teachers and parents help children learn to play an instrument by the same method that they learn to speak their native language. In St. John's, we have about 100 violin, viola and cello students who follow the Suzuki curriculum; some also learn Newfoundland fiddling or perform in our award-winning orchestra. We host the Atlantic Canada Suzuki Institute every June. If you'd like to learn more about the Suzuki Method and our organization, please read the Background and FAQ pages; feel free to contact us with any questions.

Member families and local teachers: this site aims to be your primary reference to the goings-on of STEP. All schedules and reference material for the 2012/2013 year will be published here when available. Also check out the News (that you ought also to be getting by e-mail; if not, please let us know!), Classifieds for instruments and music-related items, and more. If you have news to share, questions, comments or suggestions about the webpage, send them on to your friendly neighbourhood webmaster (and Suzuki mom) Heather Patey.

NEWS: ACSI Deadline Extended

The due date for registrations has been extended to May 11th! Don't miss a fun and unique musical experience at ACSI this year! Tell your friends!

Lovely Tell Your Mother - A Family Concert

Sunday, May 12th, 3:00pm at Cochrane Street United Church

Tickets: $15, available at O'Brien's Music Store, from STEP members, or at the door

Celebrate Mother's Day and the 30th anniversary season of the Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP) with some of the St. John's' best classical musicians - and their children. Faculty from MUN School of Music, along with their children who are STEP students, have graciously given their time to perform for us. There will be an assortment of beautiful pieces for cello, flute, voice, violin, and piano... and accordion! Did someone say "accordion"? Yes, as a special treat the Mahers Bahers, led by Newfoundland accordion legend Frank Maher, will be appearing as well! We're in for a fine afternoon indeed.

All STEP students who can play "Twinkle Theme" will be involved in the concert. Dress rehearsal: Saturday May 11th, 9:30, Choral Room. For more information on what you need to know to participate, please see the Lovely Tell Your Mother page.

Please join and share our Facebook event; and print or email around the poster (PDF). It's a concert for all ages - everyone welcome!

Registration STILL Open for Atlantic Canada Suzuki Institute

Let's get ready for ACSI! Our annual summer string-camp takes place in St. John's, June 24th to 28th. There are group classes, lessons, and NEW enrichment opportunities available for all levels, from preschool beginners to the most advanced Young Artists Program.

Have you been learning violin or cello outside of STEP? You're also welcome, to play in our orchestra and take part in lots of activities for everyone. Parents, you're part of ACSI too: not only are you part of the Parent-Student-Teacher Triangle essential for success, but there will be classes and seminars especially for you... jump in!

Details and registration forms are now available on our ACSI page. You can register by email and pay by postal mail, or bring it all to the next group class.

DEADLINE EXTENDED to May 11th!

New Students Welcome at STEP

Do you have a young child in whom you'd like to instil a love of music, instrumental skills, increased focusing and listening abilities, ease with performing, and a lifelong foundation in cultural pursuits?

STEP has cultivated beautiful hearts and musical souls in children and families in St. John's for 30 years. Parents work with their children from any age from 3 up to teenage, in both individual and group settings with our experienced, internationally-certified teachers. The violin or cello is taught by the same method the child learns to speak: through repetition, encouragement, small steps, and constantly building and reinforcing their skills. Our students learn to perform with confidence, both solo and in a group of their peers, and they become part of a musical community that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Our teachers have space right now for new students, in either violin or cello instruction for ages 3 and up. We encourage you to observe our students in action before joining: please come with your child and watch our Group Classes, two Saturday mornings a month at MUN School of Music.

Please email our friendly staff, Josh and Heather, at step@suzukinl.ca for more information on our schedule, registration, private lessons and more.

New students welcome in Early Childhood Education programs

STEP welcomes Early Childhood Education students from birth to age 3.

Group classes for our youngest students take place two Saturday mornings a month, at MUN School of Music. See calendar below for dates. You can read more about the classes on our "Twinkle Toes" page.

The next Group Class Day is May 11th. You can register your child at the next class; please email step@suzukinl.ca for more information on registration.

A Tune for Mother's Day

In the STEP Benefit Concert on May 12, we are asking all our students to participate by playing this lovely tune for our mothers: "A Mother's Love's a Blessing." Your private and group teachers will help you, and can modify the tune for very new players. Download the sheet music (PDF) and the audio file (MP3) to get started. More information about the concert on the Lovely Tell Your Mother page!

Updated Group Class Schedule for Winter 2013

Member families: the timetable and room assignments for Group Classes have changed slightly since the fall. No dates have changed. Download a new copy of the Winter Group Class Schedule and make sure you know where you're supposed to be!

The next Group Class Day is May 11th.

Upcoming Events

Use Outlook or iCal? Import the STEP Events calendar into your application!