School of Music, University of Louisville ,
Louisville, KY 40292
3.3
3 Reviews
This will be our third year attending the University of Louisville Suzuki Summer String Institute and we are very happy with the experience. Our first introduction to the program was the 53rd Annual Suzuki Summer String Institute in June 2017 when my son was 3 years old. Our family really enjoyed the "Making music and Making friends" theme and the Institute helped him to improve his focus, attention and technique. His participation in the formal music instruction has been vital for my son to encourage and improve his communication, listening and creativity. The teachers and staff are incredible, the programming is thoughtful, the families are very friendly and the centralized location is terrific.
The Institute is very inclusive and every child gets individual attention as well as superior group work. The standards of playing are tailored to the individual student, while promoting an atmosphere that is cooperative and supportive. Each student receives encouragement, acknowledgement and appreciation for their learning process and individual progress made over the week.
During the Institute there are outstanding teachers giving children’s enrichment classes in Early Childhood Education, Music & Movement and Orchestra along with many others based upon age and skill level. Each student participates in daily Master, Technique and Performance Group classes. The student recitals and performances by all the groups and individual players are amazing, and everyone enjoys and celebrates each other’s achievements. The University of Louisville and surrounding area is an active educational, cultural and entertainment center and the Institute provides opportunities during the evening hours for group social activities to promote community and friendship.
I truly believe the Institute is a vital component to promoting my son’s commitment to lifelong learning and will continue to help my son thrive in all areas of his life and promote a sense of community and appreciation for music education and composition.
We have attended this camp for 8 going on 9 years. All 3 of my kids have attended. We absolutely love the faulty. Terry Durbin is top notch and has contributed to my children's love of music and dedication to violin and practice. He works with almost every level of student in his technique class, so most of the kids do get to experience his unique teaching style. There is so much joy in his classes. My son parrots many things he says throughout the year and has become a better violinist by attending. The advanced program is remarkable and unique as kids who are in the later books, and who may be tired of traditional Suzuki camp, can be challenged by learning new and challenging repertoire as well as play in a small chamber group like a quartet. For the younger kids there is a much loved music and movement class and 3 levels of orchestra....a great introduction to orchestral playing. Most of the teachers return year after year, although by design, the leader of the advanced program is usually different. Tortolano, Mastrapaola, Macdonald and Waldvogel are some of the regular teachers who we are so excited to get to see year after year. If the teachers return so many years in a row, you know they must also love the camp too. The relationships we have built have been life-changing. We love living in the dorm and really immersing ourselves in campus life. Every year the Bello of Louisville cruise is a huge hit with the kids and camp wouldn't being the same opting out of it. We find the program to be well-organized and worth the commitment.
U of L's Suzuki String Institute is a wonderful event, good for both the little ones and more accomplished musicians alike. The faculty and staff are incredible and top notch! There's nothing like it around! Come and see for yourself!