Philosophy + Music = Character

Welcome!  Here at Northern Virgina Suzuki Music School (NVSMS), we specialize in violin training and child development by the Suzuki Talent Education Approach.

We also offer Suzuki violin teacher training. Please click here to learn more about our Violin Teacher Training.

Why choose the Suzuki Talent Education Approach?
It has now been proven by educational psychologists that students who seriously pursue instrumental music further develop their brains and excel at academics as well as music.

The Suzuki Approach was conceived in the mid-20th century by Shinichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist who desired to bring beauty to the lives of children in his country. Suzuki’s dual purpose in creating his philosophy and pedagogy was to:

  1. Develop noble human beings.
  2. Create talented learners and apply this to learning music and other things.

These are the powerful and wonderful byproducts developed while learning to play.  All students become musicians.  That is to say they become skilled and expressed as players.  Some aspire to become professional musicians while others enjoy music as amateurs or informed audiences.

Beyond teaching fingers to play...

Are you the right match for our program?

Our program focuses on providing instruction for your child as an entire person.  

We work with parents to help our students develop persistence, integrity, humor, focus, memory, generosity, service, musical literacy, sensitivity, self awareness, empathy, imagination and the ability and desire to work through fear.  These things, and more, are developed because of the interactive process between child and parent, child and teacher, and parent and teacher.
Audition Requirements work both ways.

We ask interested parents to initially come with their child to observe a group class in Arlington or McLean. By doing this we hope the parents will see the many things being taught:


  • Love of beauty
  • Love of music
  • Love of work
  • Love of self
  • Love of fun
  • Love of others
  • Love of drama
  • Love of, and interest in, their own developing mind
  • Desire to communicate
  • Desire to serve and contribute
  • Eagerness to participate
  • Willingness to volunteer to lead the group, answer, or ask a question
  • Responsibility
  • Team work
  • Understanding that when mistakes happen, it is OK--now do better.
  • Be able to chuckle at mistakes and then think and re-focus.

How it works in our studio

Lessons:  Weekly, year-round individual lessons are scheduled for students at our school location:

6512 Brawner Street,  McLean, VA 22101.

Recitals: There are three major group recitals a year and two solo recitals on two dates. Every student will prepare and perform.
Group Classes:  Students also participate in three group ensemble classes monthly, two of which are on Saturday mornings, and one on Friday evenings. These group classes are held at the following locations:

Saturday Mornings
Memorial Baptist Church
3455 N. Glebe Road in Arlington, VA 22207

Friday evenings
McLean Baptist Church 
1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22101

Music is a Family Affair

Parents are an integral part of each child's learning and growth--there are no short cuts!  But enthusiasm, patience, and persistence can ignite miracles.  Some questions to consider for parents:

  • Are you passionately interested in the opportunities you see for your child and yourself in this program?
  • Are you, or are you willing to become, disciplined and organized in your home schedule to allow for 30-45 minutes initially to practice with your child (or in possibly two or three short daily practices).   As students advance and become more ambitious, they may practice two or more hours per day.
  • Sometimes this is the hard one: Are you willing to be, or learn to create, whatever is needed for your child to succeed?
  • Will your child be able to function co-operatively in group class?
  • Will you create a fertile musical environment by playing the Suzuki Violin School CD and other fine classical music daily at home or when in the car?
  • Will you also help your student attend live, professional classical music concerts?
​If you can affirm the above, we will make a good partnership together to support your child’s development.

The Interview Process

Prospective New Students (Ages 4 - 5.5 years)

Prospective new students and their families will observe a group class.  If your family is excited by what you see, we will provide the dates of the next classes and recitals to observe--this is part of your orientation and preparation, as well as to stimulate your child's motivation. The recommended observation period for new beginners is about three months.  Do NOT procure an instrument until lessons are about to begin.  Also, we ask you to read Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki, and begin daily listening to the music on the Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 1 CD, performed by Hilary Hahn (a famous Suzuki student), available on Amazon Music, iTunes Store, Alfred Media.
Prospective Intermediate and Advanced Students with a Suzuki Background: 

Intermediate and Advanced students will first observe a group class and then schedule a consultation lesson, if interested in joining the program.  Students at this level practice from 1.5 hours to several hours a day.