Summer Camp and Summer Headstart

SuzukiMusic Summer Camp 2024

Mon. July 15 – Fri. July 19, 2024

We are very excited to be running our Summer Camp this year, from Monday July 15th to Friday July 19th, 2024! Each student will receive 3 hours per day of high-level musical instruction from our experienced and highly-trained teachers (see the faculty page of our website) as well as time with their peers and our Teen Counsellors, doing crafts, games (indoors and outdoors) and some supervised free time. 

SPACE IS LIMITED!  APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVE BASIS.

Registration Deadline: May 25, 2024

After May 25th a $50 late fee applies

Instrumental Program (ages 5-13 with a minimum of 1 year of musical instruction with the Suzuki method)

Students in the Instrumental Program, taking place 9am-4pm, will have 1 hour of instrument-specific instruction (violin, viola, cello or guitar), 1 hour of ensemble (multi-instrument, by level) and 1 hour of enrichment (fiddle or improvisation). These classes will be interspersed with time spent with our energetic, caring and trained Teen Counsellors, engaging in crafts, outdoor activities, supervised free time and of course snack and lunch breaks. At the end of the week, students will have the opportunity to perform the music they have been working on.   

Half-Day Intro to Violin Program (ages 2.5-5, with no previous musical experience required)

Children in the Half-Day Intro to Violin Program, taking place 9:30am-12pm, will have 3 different classes during the morning, with time in between for free play and/or rest. The first class will be the Headstart Class from 9:30-10:15, during which parents are required to stay with their child (see below for more information). Next will be the Intro to Violin Class followed by Multi-Genre Creative Ability Development class (storytelling, drawing, music and dance). From 10:15am to 12pm parents are encouraged but not required to stay with their child. 

Headstart Program (ages 2.5-5 and their parents with no previous musical experience required) 

Our popular Headstart Program is now being offered during the Summer Camp, taking place from 9:30am-10:15am, Monday July 15th to Friday July 19th. This parent participation class introduces young children to basic music concepts such as rhythm, pitch and tempo in a fun and playful manner: with lots of movement, clapping, colourful scarves and rhythm instruments. It also provides opportunities for children to see, listen to and touch the musical instruments we teach at our school. Lastly, parents will be introduced to the basic tenets of the Suzuki philosophy. The teacher will be available for the full hour until 10:30am if you would like to stick around to ask her any questions etc. 

Cost for the Week 

  • Instrumental Program (9am-4pm): $330 
  • Half-Day Intro to Violin Program (9:30am-12pm): $160 
  • Headstart Program (9:30am-10:15am): $110 
  • Before Care (8am-9am): $40 
  • After Care (4pm-5pm): $40 
  • Lunch Plan (nut-free lunch + snack + drink provided each day): $40 

Daily Schedule: will be sent in advance of the camp, by email to each registered student 

Location: TBD in the Alta Vista area 

Registration: please complete this form for EACH child you would like to register. After completing the form, you will receive a confirmation email which informs you of the total fees due. You will then have 5 days to pay this amount, in full, by e-transfer to info@suzukimusic.ca (or cheque payable to SuzukiMusic, mailed to SuzukiMusic, 14 Black Forest Lane, Ottawa, ON K2H5C8). 

Cancellation and other Policies: 

  1. In the case of insufficient registrations received by May 25th, 2024, all fees paid, will be fully refunded. 
  1. In the case of withdrawal from the summer camp, the camp fees, less $50, will be refunded, provided notice of withdrawal is given no later than June 15th, 2024. 
  1. In the event of an accident or injury during the summer camp, the camp director is going to call the child’s emergency contact. I understand that I am responsible for all medical expenses.

FAQ

Are parents expected to participate? 

Parents with children in the Headstart Program as well as the Half-Day Intro to Violin Program are expected to accompany their child for the duration of the Headstart class (9:30 am – 10:15 am). It is encouraged but optional for parents with children in the Half-Day Intro to Violin Program to participate in the classes from 10:15 am – 12:00 pm. The Instrumental Program, is a drop-off camp with parents not required to attend. However, parents are always welcome to observe their child’s classes and we hope you will be able to attend the final concert on Friday! 

Who are the teachers?  

Music instruction will be provided by SuzukiMusic faculty members. Non-music activities will be led by our highly-qualified team and Teen Counsellors, most of whom are also accomplished musicians! 

Is the camp open to students outside of the SuzukiMusic school? 

Yes! We welcome students from outside of our school! However, we do require them to have completed at least one year of musical instruction using the Suzuki method on one of the instruments that we offer (violin, viola, cello and guitar). 

What if my child is outside of the age ranges for the program I want to register them for? 

Please email artistic@suzukimusic.ca if this is the case and we may be able to make an exception for your child. We have occasionally accepted students slightly younger than 2.5 into our Headstart Program, and there may be students slightly younger than 5 who would be ready in their maturity and musicality for our Instrumental Program. 

Will my child be given music to learn and practice in advance of the camp? 

Any non-Suzuki repertoire that your child will be working on during the week (for example for Ensemble classes) will be provided to you well in advance of the camp so that your child can have time to start preparing it. While we understand that it may not be possible for everyone to dedicate this time to preparing in advance (due to travel plans, prior commitments etc), we encourage everyone to put this time in if they can, so that we can hit the ground running during our week together at camp, and so that everyone can enjoy the experience to the fullest! 

My child has dietary restrictions and/or allergies. Will you be able to accommodate them in the Lunch Plan? 

Please indicate any dietary restrictions and/or allergies that your child may have on your registration form and we will do our best to accommodate them! If for some reason we are not able to do so, we will let you know by the beginning of June so that you can make alternative arrangements for your child’s lunches during camp. 

Can my teenager get volunteer hours or a paid position as a Teen Counsellor by helping out at the SuzukiMusic Summer Camp? 

Yes! We always welcome extra helping hands during music lessons as well as non-music activities! For some teens, this can be a great way to fulfill their High School volunteer hour requirements as well as gain valuable experience working with children that looks great on a resume. Older and more experienced teens may also choose to apply for one of our paid positions as a Teen Counsellor. Preference will be given to teens who have studied a musical instrument at a Suzuki Book 4 level or higher and who have experience working with children. Please email artistic@suzukimusic.ca if your teen is interested in being a volunteer or paid Teen Counsellor. 

Who do I contact if I have more questions? 

Please email our Artistic Director and Camp Administrator, Emma Grant-Zypchen at artistic@suzukimusic.ca if you have any questions!

20190719_160113_HDR