Teaching Approach < Policies & Perks < Tuition < Enrollment Process
DETROIT YOUTH VOLUME 2019/2020 Parent Handbook
Let’s make the world a better place! DYV teaches youth ages 3-18 to play violin using the world-class Suzuki method & social justice pedagogies to nurture creativity, resilience, collaboration & higher-order thinking skills. Both as a community of people and a non-profit, we strive to function as an anti-racist, pro-Black organization through our practices inside and outside of the classroom. Collaborations with local artists as guest instructors develop positive cultural identities in our students as Detroiters and as youth of color (applicable to 65% of our kids). Check out our Special Projects from past years resulting in albums celebrating hip hop, jazz, techno, and Detroit Voices. Since 2010, DYV has made quality arts education accessible to low-income families, especially youth from Capuchin Soup Kitchen. Paying and scholarship students alike receive the same excellent music education. Weekly private lessons & monthly group classes are located in the Cathedral Church of St Paul 4800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.
Teaching Approach
The vast majority of the following list describes the traditional Suzuki Method. To this tried-and-true teaching approach, Detroit Youth Volume adds place-based education through workshops with guest musicians to embrace genres special to Detroit. Improvising, composition & collaboration are also celebrated music-making strategies at DYV. All of our teaching is done with the purpose of nurturing critical thinkers who can change the world with their creativity, resilience, and empathy. Learn more: detroityouthvolume.org/teaching-approach.html
1. Private Lessons & Group Class - both are required. This allows for a rich music education in which students get individualized instruction and also learn to play with a group, developing empathy for others.
2. Parent participation - one caretaker is required to attend every lesson, take notes and facilitate home practice until child is able to practice independently. This job can be shared by more than one caretaker but they must communicate with each other consistently to best support the child.
3. Early beginning - traditionally between 3 & 5 years old but children can begin anytime.
4. Positive learning environment - teachers usenurturing language and strategies to encourage confidence and emotional resilience which leads to will for
mastery. Parents are guided to use the same language and approach at home during daily practice.
5. Ear before eye note-reading - students learn to read notes after they have a solid foundation of musicality,strong posture and are reading words at school.
6. Repetition - often skills are learned by practicing a section or exercise over and over
7. Review - we play the songs we know every week during practice and performances. Songs are not “done” and forgotten after they are memorized. This allows students to keep all of their techniques sharp to support them in learning new songs. It also keeps confidence up for children to hear themselves play songs beautifully while they are learning more difficult songs simultaneously.
8. Step-by-step & layered learning - students given small, achievable sections of the new song each week, instead of the entire piece. Before they have memorized this song, teacher begins a “preview” of the next songs. The child sees themselves constantly progressing with this approach and develops a will for mastery, always excited and happy to learn more because they are confident they can do it.
9. DYV music-making strategies includes:
10. Listening - students are expected to listen to the Suzuki songs daily to support their learning.
2. Parent participation - one caretaker is required to attend every lesson, take notes and facilitate home practice until child is able to practice independently. This job can be shared by more than one caretaker but they must communicate with each other consistently to best support the child.
3. Early beginning - traditionally between 3 & 5 years old but children can begin anytime.
4. Positive learning environment - teachers usenurturing language and strategies to encourage confidence and emotional resilience which leads to will for
mastery. Parents are guided to use the same language and approach at home during daily practice.
5. Ear before eye note-reading - students learn to read notes after they have a solid foundation of musicality,strong posture and are reading words at school.
6. Repetition - often skills are learned by practicing a section or exercise over and over
7. Review - we play the songs we know every week during practice and performances. Songs are not “done” and forgotten after they are memorized. This allows students to keep all of their techniques sharp to support them in learning new songs. It also keeps confidence up for children to hear themselves play songs beautifully while they are learning more difficult songs simultaneously.
8. Step-by-step & layered learning - students given small, achievable sections of the new song each week, instead of the entire piece. Before they have memorized this song, teacher begins a “preview” of the next songs. The child sees themselves constantly progressing with this approach and develops a will for mastery, always excited and happy to learn more because they are confident they can do it.
9. DYV music-making strategies includes:
- memorizing classical Suzuki songs played by children all over the world
- playing in genres special to Detroit during guest artists workshops
- improvising, composition & collaboration
- note-reading beginning with I Can Read Music
10. Listening - students are expected to listen to the Suzuki songs daily to support their learning.
Policies & Perks
Location
Lessons will be held virtually through the end of 2020. Normally, everything happens in our sunny, art-filled classroom of Cathedral Church of St Paul.
4800 Woodward is located at the corner of Woodward and Warren. We love making music in the Cass Corridor where artists have been creating work for many years! Sharing an intersection with the Detroit Institute of Art, Wayne State University, Detroit Public Library, Charles Wright Museum of African American History, and the Detroit Science Center is awesome and convenient for field trips - planned or impromptu!
Expectations of the “Home Teacher”
Congrats, Suzuki parents! By embracing DYV’s culture of learning, you’re deepening your role as your kid’s home music teacher. The home teacher is an important part of the Suzuki Triangle (parent/child/teacher)! You’ll be expected to commit to the following:
Private Lessons & Group Class
It’s a big commitment and well worth it! Every child receives a weekly private lesson: 30 for Book 1 students & 45 minutes as they near the end of Book 1 and beyond. There will be 30 lessons between the 2nd week of September through Memorial Day in May. Group Class will happen once a month. DYV embraces all ten of the Suzuki tenets along with other transformative teaching methods that nurture the life skills of young change-makers: detroityouthvolume.org/teaching-approach.html.
Lesson slots are available Monday through Friday. Summer lessons are optional. There are no Group Classes over the summer. Summer music camps are encouraged and usually inspire a blossoming feeling of ownership for students! They want to practice more, and more strongly embrace being a musician as part of their identity.
Parent Participation
As is traditional to the Suzuki method and essential to musical progress, the caretaker who facilitates daily home practice with the child will attend each private lesson to take notes and learn alongside the student. Parent lessons are optional. Parents are also expected to attend and engage in Group Classes. A parent-teacher conference will happen once in the Winter, during your child’s private lesson slot.
Performances
This year, there is only one mandatory performance: the Spring solo recital! DYV is often invited to play community performances at random throughout the year. You’ll receive an email or text to sign-up for these fun, voluntary shows.
Listening to Good Music
Listening to the Suzuki recordings & quality music at home is highly recommended. Hearing the Suzuki songs helps the student learn much faster, which means they are happier, more confident and excited to move forward! PLUS, DYV often receives free and discount tickets to local shows for our students. These will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Make-up Lessons
You will receive 30 private lessons and 9 group classes between September and Memorial Day in May. Group Classes canceled due to weather will not be made up. Up to three missed lessons can be made up during May/June or beforehand if schedules allow.
Attendance
Tardiness of more than 10 minutes will be considered an absence. If a student misses more than three times per semester (September-November, December-February, March-May), the Director will reach out to see if any changes need to be made. Attendance must improve in the following season, or the student risks losing their slot to someone on the DYV waiting list.
Dropping Out
In the event of mid-year cancellation, you will be charged half a month's-worth of tuition following the date of the termination (date the family informs Director of their decision by phone, email, text or in-person). Scholarship students will be expected to return all music materials and the instrument you received from Detroit Youth Volume within two weeks.
Working with Clara
I am the Founding Director of DYV & I love teaching! I’ve been working with youth since I moved to Detroit in 2006 after college. I started DYV & teaching violin in 2010 with the goal of nurturing beautiful humanity & beautiful talent. All of my life experiences, education & trainings factor into this.
Lessons will be held virtually through the end of 2020. Normally, everything happens in our sunny, art-filled classroom of Cathedral Church of St Paul.
4800 Woodward is located at the corner of Woodward and Warren. We love making music in the Cass Corridor where artists have been creating work for many years! Sharing an intersection with the Detroit Institute of Art, Wayne State University, Detroit Public Library, Charles Wright Museum of African American History, and the Detroit Science Center is awesome and convenient for field trips - planned or impromptu!
Expectations of the “Home Teacher”
Congrats, Suzuki parents! By embracing DYV’s culture of learning, you’re deepening your role as your kid’s home music teacher. The home teacher is an important part of the Suzuki Triangle (parent/child/teacher)! You’ll be expected to commit to the following:
- taking notes & engaging during weekly lessons
- daily 15-60 minutes of practice & music-listening with your child at home, depending on age etc.
- great attendance at weekly lessons & monthly group class.
Private Lessons & Group Class
It’s a big commitment and well worth it! Every child receives a weekly private lesson: 30 for Book 1 students & 45 minutes as they near the end of Book 1 and beyond. There will be 30 lessons between the 2nd week of September through Memorial Day in May. Group Class will happen once a month. DYV embraces all ten of the Suzuki tenets along with other transformative teaching methods that nurture the life skills of young change-makers: detroityouthvolume.org/teaching-approach.html.
Lesson slots are available Monday through Friday. Summer lessons are optional. There are no Group Classes over the summer. Summer music camps are encouraged and usually inspire a blossoming feeling of ownership for students! They want to practice more, and more strongly embrace being a musician as part of their identity.
Parent Participation
As is traditional to the Suzuki method and essential to musical progress, the caretaker who facilitates daily home practice with the child will attend each private lesson to take notes and learn alongside the student. Parent lessons are optional. Parents are also expected to attend and engage in Group Classes. A parent-teacher conference will happen once in the Winter, during your child’s private lesson slot.
Performances
This year, there is only one mandatory performance: the Spring solo recital! DYV is often invited to play community performances at random throughout the year. You’ll receive an email or text to sign-up for these fun, voluntary shows.
Listening to Good Music
Listening to the Suzuki recordings & quality music at home is highly recommended. Hearing the Suzuki songs helps the student learn much faster, which means they are happier, more confident and excited to move forward! PLUS, DYV often receives free and discount tickets to local shows for our students. These will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Make-up Lessons
You will receive 30 private lessons and 9 group classes between September and Memorial Day in May. Group Classes canceled due to weather will not be made up. Up to three missed lessons can be made up during May/June or beforehand if schedules allow.
Attendance
Tardiness of more than 10 minutes will be considered an absence. If a student misses more than three times per semester (September-November, December-February, March-May), the Director will reach out to see if any changes need to be made. Attendance must improve in the following season, or the student risks losing their slot to someone on the DYV waiting list.
Dropping Out
In the event of mid-year cancellation, you will be charged half a month's-worth of tuition following the date of the termination (date the family informs Director of their decision by phone, email, text or in-person). Scholarship students will be expected to return all music materials and the instrument you received from Detroit Youth Volume within two weeks.
Working with Clara
I am the Founding Director of DYV & I love teaching! I’ve been working with youth since I moved to Detroit in 2006 after college. I started DYV & teaching violin in 2010 with the goal of nurturing beautiful humanity & beautiful talent. All of my life experiences, education & trainings factor into this.
- Being a “Suzuki kid” from ages five to eighteen in Marquette, MI
- Going to Europe with Blue Lake International Youth Orchestra at age sixteen
- Studying Social Science Theory in undergrad at University of Michigan Ann Arbor
- Working at Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Rosa Parks Youth Program from 2006-2010
- Training with Mark Mutter (Director Suzuki Royal Oak) for Suzuki Books 1-6
- Founding Detroit Youth Volume
- Facilitating Music Together at Experiencia & Boggs School Kindergartens
- Subbing at Detroit Waldorf School in Music & Early Childhood
- Attending 2 years of community educators’ training with Allied Media Projects
- Playing at “Creative Strings” adult intensive with jazz violinists Christian Howes
- Completing the People’s Institute for Survival & Beyond “Undoing Racism” training
- Founding Youth Volume training for social justice-loving music teachers around the world
Tuition
Tuition covers private lessons, group class & an administrative fee. It can be paid in full or divided by nine months September-May: $135 per month (30-min lessons) or $185 per month (45-min lessons).
Monthly tuition is due by the first lesson of each month. Your invoice will be revised with an added $10 late fee if payment is not made by the second lesson of the month. DYV may terminate a family with overdue fees of three or more months.
Monthly tuition is due by the first lesson of each month. Your invoice will be revised with an added $10 late fee if payment is not made by the second lesson of the month. DYV may terminate a family with overdue fees of three or more months.
Books
Financial Aid may be requested at any level by emailing clara@detroityouthvolume.org with a note about your needs & whether your child qualifies for free/reduced lunch. This will determine the percentage of financial aid you will receive.
- Suzuki Violin School Volume 1 w/CD (Revised Edition) $20
- Ages 7+ need I Can Read Music Volume 1 (Joann Martin) $14
Financial Aid may be requested at any level by emailing clara@detroityouthvolume.org with a note about your needs & whether your child qualifies for free/reduced lunch. This will determine the percentage of financial aid you will receive.
Enrollment Process
Make sure you agree with the DYV policies.
Questions? Email hello@detroityouthvolume.org or leave a message at 313-451-1138.
Schedule an observation of a private lesson or group class. (optional).
Our concerts are always free and open to the public!
Complete DYV Student Info form, which includes sharing your availability for lessons.
Attend an orientation meeting. Those joining in the Fall will attend an orientation meeting with all families before lessons begin. If joining mid-year, you’ll schedule a 1-hour orientation meeting with DYV administrator. This includes learning about the organization, Suzuki method, Tuition rate overview, instrument rental / materials needed.
Rent an instrument or take yours in for a check up. Scholarship students will receive an instrument from Clara free of charge. Everyone else should visit one of the following recommended shops:
Renting from a guitar store or buying one on eBay is NOT recommended. When you’re child grows out of their instrument while renting, it will be exchanged for a larger size free of additional charge. The time to buy is when the student needs a full-size.
Purchase books
Bring to every lesson/group class
Questions? Email hello@detroityouthvolume.org or leave a message at 313-451-1138.
Schedule an observation of a private lesson or group class. (optional).
Our concerts are always free and open to the public!
Complete DYV Student Info form, which includes sharing your availability for lessons.
Attend an orientation meeting. Those joining in the Fall will attend an orientation meeting with all families before lessons begin. If joining mid-year, you’ll schedule a 1-hour orientation meeting with DYV administrator. This includes learning about the organization, Suzuki method, Tuition rate overview, instrument rental / materials needed.
Rent an instrument or take yours in for a check up. Scholarship students will receive an instrument from Clara free of charge. Everyone else should visit one of the following recommended shops:
- Bayberry Music (Ferndale)
- Psarianos (Troy)
- Wilson (Birmingham)
- Shar (Ann Arbor)
- Detroit Violin Co (Berkley)
Renting from a guitar store or buying one on eBay is NOT recommended. When you’re child grows out of their instrument while renting, it will be exchanged for a larger size free of additional charge. The time to buy is when the student needs a full-size.
Purchase books
- Suzuki Violin School Volume 1 w/CD (Revised Edition) $20
- Ages 7+ need I Can Read Music Volume 1 (Joann Martin) $14
Bring to every lesson/group class
- instrument, music books, binder for notes unless you choose to use your phone or a
- For first-year & Pre-Twinklers: footchart