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PPSI Suzuki Student, SECE, and Sibling
2025 Programs
July 14-18, 2025

SUZUKI STUDENT INSTITUTE -Siblings, SECE, Pre-Twinkle, Suzuki Books 1-5

  • Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute is open to students studying violin, viola, cello, flute, and piano with a Suzuki teacher using the Suzuki Method. We also have enrichment class enrollment options for siblings of all ages who are not enrolled in our instrumental programming so that the entire family can attend PPSI together.

  • Students are expected to come prepared with memorized review repertoire (see Preparation list under Participant info) and have a polished piece ready to perform in their master class.

  • PPSI is designed to be a family experience and therefore a parent/caregiver should plan to attend classes with their child(ren) under 12 and help them prepare for the daily assignments. 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 suggestions in our Parent Support section. Please feel free to reach out to the director if you need further suggestions.

  • ​Student registration admits an accompanying adult, free of charge, to all student and parent activities. ​

See individual listings below for detailed program descriptions including specific level and age requirements. 

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SUZUKI EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CLASS

SECE class is for children 3 weeks- 4 years old who are not yet playing an instrument or enrolled in an instrumental program at PPSI. 

* Meets each day M-F from 9:30 am -10:20 am 

* Parent/caregiver must attend class with child. 

* Bring your child to our daily one-hour SECE class and spend some quality time with them while increasing their musical and developmental skills! SECE music and movement Suzuki class develops language and musical skills, physical coordination, and cognitive skill sets in a nurturing environment.

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SIBLINGS 

PPSI has enrichment course offerings for siblings of all ages who are not enrolled in instrumental classes at PPSI! Scroll to bottom of this page for descriptions of our enrichment classes. 

* Children ages 0-4 and caregiver may enroll in our daily one hour SECE class. 

* Siblings ages 4 and up not enrolled as a Suzuki instrumental student at PPSI can choose to register for up to three age-appropriate enrichment classes for the week! 

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Suzuki Pre-Twinkle Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, and Piano 

PRE-TWINKLE: Tuition includes 3 classes and a t-shirt 

* For beginning Suzuki students who do not yet play all of the twinkle variations fluently. 

* Tuition includes 3 classes: a master class, a repertoire class, and a Dalcroze class.  

* Pre-Twinkle classes begin on Tuesday morning and go through Friday morning. 

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Books 1-3 Suzuki â€‹Violin/Viola/Cello/Piano 

students and Books 1-4 Flute students:

Tuition includes 5 classes and a t-shirt (students may elect to add an additional enrichment class for an extra fee if they do not wish to have one class period off each day) 

  • Violin, Viola, and Cello students in Book 1 will be scheduled for a master class, repertoire class, dalcroze, IJam, and one additional enrichment class. Violin, Viola, and Cello students in Books 2 and 3 will be scheduled for a master class, a repertoire class, a fiddling class, IJam, and one additional enrichment class. 

  • Piano students in Books 1 and 2 will be scheduled for a master class, repertoire class, dalcroze, piano ensemble, and one additional enrichment class. Piano students in Book 3 will be scheduled for a master class, a repertoire class, piano ensemble class, piano improvisation class, and one enrichment class. 

  • Flute students in Book 1 will be scheduled for a masterclass, repertoire class, dalcroze, Irish Tin Whistle, and one additional enrichment class. Flute students in Books 2, 3, and 4 will be scheduled for a masterclass, repertoire class, technique class, Irish Flute, and one additional enrichment class. 

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Suzuki Violin students in Book 4 and 5, Viola students in Book 4,

Cello students in Book 4, Piano students in Books 4 and 5,

and Flute Students in Books 5 and 6:

Tuition includes 6 classes and a t-shirt. 

  • Violin, Viola, and Cello students will be scheduled for a master class, repertoire class, IJAM, fiddling class, a chamber ensemble class, and one additional enrichment class. ​

  • Piano students will be scheduled for a master class, a repertoire class, piano ensemble class, piano improvisation class, practical skills for the advancing pianists class, and one additional enrichment class. 

  • Flute Students in Books 5 and 6 will be scheduled for a master class, repertoire class, Irish flute, Flute Choir, flute orchestral studies/sight reading class, and one additional enrichment class.

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EXPLANATION OF CLASSES:

* Master class – Class with 3-5 students in which each student takes turns receiving one-on-one instruction from a faculty member each day. 

* Technique class – This class focuses on level-appropriate technique in a group setting. 

* Repertoire class – This group class focuses on repertoire review, ensemble playing, and preparation for concert performance.

* Enrichment classes – See below for more details about our enrichment classes opportunities for this year. 

* NOTE: Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano Books 1-3 and Flute Books 1-4  will have one free period a day unless they elect to register for an extra enrichment class for an additional fee.  During their free period, students can practice, read a book, and have a snack in designated areas.  Practice rooms will be available and there will be areas to lounge.

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ENRICHMENTS

Enrichment classes – Students are enrolled in a number of enrichment classes to complete their schedule. They will have the opportunity to select choices in order of preference during registration. Every effort will be made to give students their top choices, but this cannot be guaranteed.  Our first priority is to place students in classes that are age and level appropriate.  Much care is taken to fit the requests of all, but once the schedule is set it cannot be easily adjusted so please rank your preferences thoughtfully. See below for more details about our enrichment classes opportunities for this year.​

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SUZUKI EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CLASSES (SECE)

open to students 3 weeks - 4 years old and siblings of Suzuki/Advanced students attending PPSI

This daily one-hour SECE music and movement Suzuki class is open to children 3 weeks- 4 years old (who are not yet playing an instrument or enrolled in an instrumental program at PPSI) and their caregiver. SECE classes develop language and musical skills, physical coordination, and cognitive skill sets in a nurturing environment.

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DALCROZE EURHYTHMICS 

open to pre-twinklers and up and siblings

Join Lori Forden in Dalcroze class! Dalcroze is the training of the body through rhythmic movement, the senses through intense listening, and creativity through imagination and improvisation in order to enrich and enliven music making. 

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INTERACTIVE JOURNEY THROUGH ART & MUSIC (IJAM)

open to Book 1 and up and siblings

Join Michele Horner in this exciting new class offering at PPSI! Michele covers 1200 years of art and music history in a fun-filled, hands on, action-packed class that has garnered rave reviews from children and adults all over the U.S and beyond!  Michele makes connections between painting, music, sculpture, and architecture helping instrumental students to better relate to their pieces - non-instrumentalists will also enjoy Michele’s dynamic and energetic presentation.  This class is scaled to interest people of all ages. Interesting fact: Michele has taught IJAM to students from NY across the U.S. all the way to Australia! 

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UKULELE 

open to all ages and siblings- ukuleles will be provided- No previous experience necessary!

Join Marnie Ward to explore the ukulele! 

  • Book 1-2 students- "1 World - 2 Chords - 4 Strings"

Oh the places you’ll go with two chords on the happiest instrument - the ‘ukulele! We’ll sing songs from around the world with only four strings.

  • Book 3 and up students- "From Eilish to Swift"

Are you ready to rock on four strings? The versatile ‘ukulele can jam with the best and we’re going to put it to the test with songs from our favorite current pop stars. Can you say Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift, and more!

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SHOW CHOIR

open to all ages and siblings- No previous experience necessary!

Join Marnie Ward in this exciting new class at PPSI to explore your own instrument- your voice!

  • Book 1-2 students- "Prince & Princess Playlist"

​“When Will My Life Begin”? In this “Whole New World” singing class! Find your inner “Un Poco Loco” and “Let It Go”. Don’t be afraid to “Try Everything” because “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”. Now let’s, “Touch the Sky” with our voices!

  • Book 3 and up students- "Witches, Wizards, and Wonder!"

Come get your “Wicked” on while learning songs from The Wizard of Oz, Into the Woods, Wicked, and more. Marnie will guide you through your vocal spells in this magical journey through Broadway and our favorite pointy hat characters. 

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CAPOEIRA

open to all ages and siblings- No previous experience necessary!

Martial arts done to a Brazilian beat! Learn cool moves, try fun games, and play Afrobrazilian folkloric songs and instruments. Join Mestre Beringela, Lewis Lease, who co-leads United Capoeira Association Colorado, and learn to play Capoeira!

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ART

open to all ages and siblings- No previous experience necessary!

Join Sandra Davis for some fun and informative time with art supplies.  Who knows what masterpieces you will get to take home!

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OTHER ENRICHMENTS

note: students are automatically enrolled in the following enrichment classes according to level 

FIDDLING

violin, viola, and cello book 2 and up

Join world-renowned fiddler and teacher, Crystal Plohman Wiegman, to learn traditional fiddle tunes from Irish, bluegrass, and old time styles. These tunes will be taught with authentic style and rhythm and will include an introduction to backup chopping and fiddle kick improv! Classes will be tailored to fit different age groups and levels of experience.

IRISH TIN WHISTLE flute book 1 and IRISH FLUTE flute books 2-6 with Whitney Kelley/Sasha Garver

FLUTE ORCHESTRAL STUDIES and SIGHT READING flute books 5-6

PIANO IMPROVISATION 

piano books 3, 4, and 5

Join Peter Friesen in an exploration of improvisation! This class will introduce skills and concepts for improvising on simple chord progressions and 12-bar blues.  Classes will be tailored to fit different levels of experiences in improvising.

EXPLORING PRACTICAL SKILLS FOR THE ADVANCING PIANIST 

piano books 4 and 5

Join Peter Friesen to learn tips and tricks to become more well-rounded pianists, from practicing sight reading skills and reading chord charts to creating accompaniments for a melody played by another instrument!

CHAMBER MUSIC

violin books 4-5, viola book 4, and cello Book 4

An exciting opportunity to make music in a smaller ensemble.  Work with a coach to hone your skills in listening, matching techniques, collaboration, and creating a beautiful group tone.

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