​The Suzuki Method stresses parent participation as part of the Suzuki Triangle- partnership between child, caregiver, and teacher. A caregiver/responsible adult should plan to be on campus with children under 12. Parents benefit greatly from being part of the team by taking notes and learning alongside them, particularly in the core classes. Students 12+ years must have a way to contact their parents immediately should an emergency occur. We recognize that it is not possible for every parent to attend a full week of institute, and therefore offer the following suggestions: 

• Prioritize the masterclass and repertoire class and work on campus in the cafetorium. There is campus wifi available for working parents and therefore some parents choose to work in the cafetorium when their children are not in their core classes. (For safety reasons, noone is allowed to use any empty rooms in the building.) 

• Attend the first full class cycle - this allows you to meet your child's teachers and also supports your child as they become familiar with their schedule and classes. This also allows you to meet other parents and participants, especially those in their core classes; find out if other parents are willing to have your child walk with them, eat lunch with them, take notes in masterclasses etc.- become buddies for the week. This is also a good idea to explore if you are attending PPSI with multiple children. 

• Are there families from your home program or studio that you could buddy with for the week? 

• Ask an adult babysitter, family member, recent high school graduate, college student etc. to be the responsible adult for the week. Is your teacher attending the institute? Teachers LOVE to observe classes at PPSI. Would they be willing to be the responsible adult for the week of PPSI?

A typical day consists of classes from 8:30-4:00. There is a lunch break and student honors recitals/activities (Tues.-Thurs.) also during the lunch hour. We are so excited to hear the Bayberry Quartet recital on Monday, our Faculty Concert on Wednesday, and Student chamber performances on Thursday, all at 4:15 following classes. An email with more details will be sent out to all participants as we get closer to the start of PPSI. While at PPSI, please see the bulletin board and your program book for the general schedule.

The schedule for Suzuki students:

• Monday: everyone should plan to arrive in the am (registration time will be sent in an email closer to the beginning of the institute). Morning activities include picking up your registration packet and t-shirt , a welcome gathering/meeting for all at 10:30 (we will gather to welcome everyone and meet the faculty) immediately followed with instrument specific play-ins and then lunch. Afternoon classes are then held from 1 and until 3:50. The Bayberry Quartet recital will be at 4:15 on Monday.

• Tuesday – Thursday: students will attend morning classes from 8:30 – 11:30, there will be concerts/activities during the lunch hour, afternoon classes from 1 – 4pm, and a Faculty Concert on Wednesday and Student chamber concert on Thursday at 4:15, both after classes. 

• Friday: AM classes and final student concerts: Students will attend your morning classes from 8:30 – 11:30 am; all students will not go to classes on Friday afternoon, but participate in applicable final performances that afternoon. 

Advanced program classes have the same schedule Mon.-Fri. except that this program begins at 8:30 am on Monday morning; these students will receive registration info on Saturday, their first day of the advanced program. See Advanced Program page on website for specific schedule. Advanced Program Chamber music ensembles concert will be held Thursday afternoon at 4:15 and advanced repertoire class perforamances will be Friday afternoon. Note: All Advanced Program classes will be held at Stargate. 

Teacher Training classes have the same schedule as above except that they start at 8:30 am on Monday morning and registration for participants will take place before 8:30 class start time on Monday (Violin Enrichment Class with Teri Einfeldt will begin at 8:15 on Monday). 

Bring your instrument, your music, and any other equipment you use, ie: stools, cushions, rock stops, pre-twinkle foot chart, shoulder rest, sponges, notebook and pencil for notes, music stands, etc. Bring your own lunch each day (see lunch below). 

*Cello students- If you are needing to rent a cello for use at PPSI, please contact Robertsons or local shop Luther Strings to do so as both of these shops will be on campus. Note- Robertsons arrives on Monday afternoon and leaves on Wednesday afternoon so you will need to plan to ship the instrument back to them after the institute should you choose to rent from them.

• You may bring a sack lunch or there are restaurants within walking distance from campus and many more within driving distance. 

• There may be an opportunity for families to preorder lunch Tues- Friday (sorry, not Monday) from local caterer we are partnering with- more info will be available to registered participants soon.

Institute t-shirts MUST be pre-ordered and prepaid by May 26, 2025 to ensure size. Indicate number and size on the registration form. 

A limited supply of new and previous year t-shirts will be available for purchase the week of the Institute.

The following hotels are within a mile of campus. Please call hotels and make reservations on your own.

PPSI receives a special friends and family rate from Hilton Garden Inn and the Candlewood Suites:  

Booking Link for Hilton Garden Inn-Thorton: Hilton Garden Inn

Booking Link for Candlewood Suites-Thorton: Candlewood Suites

Other hotel options within 5 miles:

Courtyard Marriott, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Doubletree, Hampton, Holiday Express, La Quinta, Quality Inn, Extended Stay, Motel 6

From Denver:

Take I-25 north to W. 144th Avenue

Turn right (east) on W. 144th to Washington Street

Turn left (north) on Washington

Stargate School will be on the northeast corner of Washington and W.144th

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From Fort Collins:

Take I-25 South to W. 144th Avenue

Turn left (east) on W. 144th Avenue

Turn left (north) on Washington

Stargate School will be on the northeast corner of Washington and W.144th

From Boulder:  Take US 36 to McCaslin

Go North (left) on McCaslin

East (right) on W.Dillon Rd

Continue on to  W 144th Avenue

Turn left (north) onto Washington Street 

Stargate School will be on the northeast corner of Washington and W.144th

Robertsons Violin Shop will be on campus Tuesday and Wednesday 8:30 am- 4 pm for supplies and minor repairs.

Luther Strings will be on campus Tuesday- Thursday 8:30 am- 4 pm. 

• Non-refundable fees include registration fees, payment processing fees, additional t-shirt orders, extra enrichment class fees (instrumental students and non instrumental siblings), and additional teacher course material fees.

• 50% of the tuition fee is refundable if the requested withdrawal is communicated in writing and received by the director on or before April 27, 2025.

• Because of the Institute's commitment to faculty and facility arrangements, applicants who withdraw on or after April 28, 2025 will forfeit all tuition and fees.