Suzuki Music School of Arkansas Celebrates 40 Years of Music Education

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Staff of the Suzuki Music School of Arkansas are very excited to be celebrating their 40th year of providing quality musical instruction to students in the Fayetteville area. Founded in 1977, the school has a long tradition of fostering the love of music in students ages 3 to adult. Suzuki teachers assist students in developing listening skills, building character, and connecting with a community of like-minded individuals while learning to play an instrument and strengthening musical ability.

SMSA offers instruction in cello, flute, guitar, piano, and violin. The core of the Suzuki method is the private lesson, where students receive individual instruction from a qualified Suzuki teacher. Group classes are also available and provide students with the opportunity to play in an ensemble while strengthening their technical skills. Parent involvement is encouraged at SMSA, and parents attend all private lessons and group classes with students to aid in at-home practice.

Instrumental Explorers is a program for children ages 4 to 7, specially designed for the parent wondering, "How do I choose an instrument for my child?" Instruction is offered in a small group setting, covering three instruments over the course of an 18-week semester. Classes emphasize listening, focus, posture, rhythm and very basic instrumental skills. Students will be prepared to choose an instrument at the end of the semester and begin private lessons with an instructor.

The Suzuki Music School of Arkansas is under the direction of Nastassja Riley. Riley has a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in flute performance from the University of Arkansas and a M.M. in music theory from Florida State University. Riley holds a primary certification in TAGteach and is certified in the Suzuki Flute Books 1 through 4 with over 5 year of Suzuki teaching experience as well as training in the Alexander Technique. She is enthusiastic about body awareness in her playing and is committed to teaching using positive reinforcement.

Private lesson enrollment is now open for the fall semester. Instrumental Explorers class is closed for fall, but taking requests for spring 2018 enrollment. For details about any of our programs, visit cms.uark.edu/smsa, email smsa@uark.edu, or call 575-5250.

The Suzuki Music School of Arkansas is committed to our community and hopes to continue our mission of providing quality musical instruction and fostering the development of ability in all students regardless of age, race, or special needs.