Violin - Piano - Cello - Guitar - Musical Theatre - Early Childhood -Adult Cultural programs
Young Strings
Experienced
Piano Teens
Build confidence, develop performance skills, and uplevel your current playing—
with exceptional teachers giving individual attention that honors who you are, how you learn, and the pace you want to take
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Ready to Elevate Your Piano Experience?
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Ready to uplevel your piano experience with multiple performing opportunities like you haven't had in the past? Where you're celebrated for your unique talents and supported through every challenge as we build on what you've already learned?
Welcome to Scotia Suzuki—where piano becomes a powerful part of your life story, with regular concerts, goal-setting that allows you to grow at your own speed, and building on your existing skills to take them to the next level.
IS THIS RIGHT FOR YOU?
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For Teens Who Want More:
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Are you curious about the Suzuki method and want the gift of being more free from your printed music so you don't have to have performance anxiety and worry about music slips when performing?
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Is it too late to add this 'by ear' approach to your playing as well as keep learning by notes as well? (Spoiler: it's not!)
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Do you want to be part of something meaningful—a community where you and your family truly belong?
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Are you looking for an experience learning piano that will really build your confidence instead of just adding pressure?
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Are you drawn to sharing your musical gifts with confidence and joy instead of performing with music and feeling stress to memorize, having memory slips, and making mistakes? With the Suzuki method, this is all taken care of and it's wonderful to watch new students begin to embrace this method! At our school we do both—we continue with what you've already been learning as well as introduce the amazing playing by ear that you can only get from the Suzuki program. It's magical for long-term learning and making difficult pieces so much easier down the road.
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For Parents Who Value Growth:
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Do you want your teen involved in something that builds character and confidence, not just technique?
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Are you looking for a program that treats your teen as an individual, not just another student in the system?
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Do you want to be part of your teen's learning journey in a meaningful way?
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Do you want your child to be able to perform easily by ear instead of just memorizing notes on a page where they can be free from the written music and really feel their music and enjoy their music without anxiety and stress? This is what we're all about.
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If this resonates, you're going to love what we do here.
WITHIN 6 MONTHS, YOU'LL NOTICE:​​
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Clear goals with a plan to achieve them—we meet you exactly where you are and create personalized goals with step-by-step plans. Like building a Lego house one block at a time, we'll help you do hard things by making them easy!
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Rapid ear-learning progress—even though playing by ear might seem challenging at first, your progress will be surprisingly fast as you learn this new skill, because you're a focused teenager with existing piano skills. Don't worry, you'll keep learning with notes too, so you'll master both approaches!
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Enhanced memory and focus everywhere—the ear-first approach dramatically improves your ability to remember and learn, and you'll start to see this showing up in your schoolwork and daily life.
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Community that motivates you—no more practicing alone! Monthly group classes with other students, regular master classes for advanced players, where you play for each other, and constant performance opportunities in a supportive community that cheers every success. You'll be inspired by others and inspire them too.
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Advanced skills accelerated—chording and playing by ear will enhance all your existing pieces, making your current repertoire come alive in new ways.
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Freedom to choose your path—if you are already doing continue RCM exams and festivals and they matter to your goals then you can continue with them, but the main focus becomes your personal goals, playing music together, and performing regularly to share joy—creating lasting confidence and genuine love for piano and music.
WHAT YOU'LL LOVE MOST ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
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The Community. You'll connect with families and teens who share your values and genuinely cheer for each other's success. This isn't just lessons—it's belonging to the Scotia Suzuki family.
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No Pressure, Real Progress. Every teen shines in their own time, at their own pace. You'll only perform music you've already mastered for months, sharing your personal expression where confidence grows naturally.
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Teachers Who Actually Get Teens. You'll have specially trained Suzuki educators who understand how teens learn—not just performers teaching on the side. They invest extra time and resources in continued specialized training for working effectively with your age group.
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Individual Attention That Matters. Each teen grows at their own pace—meeting you exactly where you are, whether you're naturally focused, creatively scattered, or somewhere in between.
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It's Simple and Convenient. We handle the details so you can focus on the growth and joy.
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Regular Performance Opportunities—multiple concerts throughout the year where you can share your music with confidence and joy, building on your existing skills and taking them to new heights.
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
If after 6 weeks you don't see that spark of engagement and growing confidence—we'll refund your remaining balance, no questions asked.
Because this should feel right for your family.
YOUR COMPLETE TEEN PIANO EXPERIENCE
​CONFIDENCE & PERFORMANCE MASTERY
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Multiple solo opportunities each year — bi-weekly Friday concerts for inspiration and regular performance opportunities.
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Individual soloist concerts — up to 4+ personal celebrations with your own audience by graduation.
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Group performances throughout the year with diverse musical collaborations.
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Public speaking development through poem recitation before lessons and concerts.
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Master classes with senior students for inspiration and advanced goal-setting
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SCOTIA SUZUKI COMMUNITY CONNECTION​​​
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Join a welcoming, supportive community that celebrates growth at every level
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Connect with other teens and families through school-wide events
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Parent support resources and guidance
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Four large community concerts with unique cross-program collaborations
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Lifelong friendships formed through music-making
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Youth leadership program with mentorship opportunities
LEARNING TRANSFORMATION​​
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Permanent easier learning by developing ear-first musical skills.
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Learn at your own pace through personalized Suzuki method progression.
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All piano students also learn to hear piano chord progressions and play by ear — a unique skill that sets our program apart.
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Theory classes included to accelerate learning and understanding when ready to join.
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Our unique Practice Binder system that will help you with memory and joy for playing piano, where you'll learn how to practice effectively and it will be really clear how to have the most successful practicing—it won't be a mystery, you'll know exactly what to do
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Multiple teaching perspectives from our collaborative team of educators.
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Age-appropriate approach designed specifically for teen development
CHARACTER & LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT​​
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Daily practice celebration through school-wide challenges
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Recognition for hard work and milestone achievements
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Non-competitive environment focused on joy and collaboration
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Exposure to different teaching styles for open-minded learning
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Skills that transfer directly to academic and professional success
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​CONVENIENCE & PEACE OF MIND
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Simple, easy, convenient — everything handled for you
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37 convenient parking spots behind our building
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Simple enrollment with flexible class scheduling
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Practice Binder system for organized lesson notes and practice activities
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Easy monthly billing that makes budgeting simple
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Priority registration for returning families each spring
EXCEPTIONAL TEACHING QUALITY​​
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Teachers trained in how teens learn, not just talented performers teaching ‘on the side’.
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Ongoing professional development focused on teen-specific teaching techniques.
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Individual attention that honors your unique learning style and personality.
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Personalized approach that adapts to your goals and pace
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THE EXCITING ROAD AHEAD
Here's what makes this even more special—this is just the beginning of your enhanced musical story.
Once you're ready, you can take on an assistant role in our group classes and learn to accompany other instruments in the school—a wonderful experience we offer that's unique to other programs in the city. You'll leave our school with valuable accompanying experience that opens doors everywhere music is made.
Unique Accompanying Training: We offer classes specifically in self-accompanying and accompanying by ear—learning to hear a melody and improvise an accompaniment line to it. This means you can accompany yourself while singing, or provide beautiful accompaniment for friends and family members playing melody instruments with a simple chord chart or by ear. This skill is incredibly valuable and something you won't find at other music programs in Halifax. This special skill also makes composing more accessible to you, which you will have workshops on as well down the road!
Career Possibilities: We have students who've earned scholarships to Dalhousie and even gone on to Juilliard and Berklee. Our students have won the Rose Bowl at Kiwanis Music Festival, competed in the Canadian Music Competition, received Talent Trust funding, and each year win multiple RCM Gold medals. They also develop skills in learning to accompany by ear and playing at events like the Maritime Fiddle Festival.
Leadership Opportunities: Join the Nova Scotia Youth Ambassadors or form contemporary or classical ensembles with other instrumentalists and singers at our school. Become a school accompanist.
High School Credit Program: Eventually earn a Grade 12 High school credit while continuing your musical journey, or participate in our youth leadership program, gaining experience in business, work skills, and teaching.
So many beautiful paths ahead at Scotia Suzuki!
HERE IS HOW IT WORKS:
Your Weekly Rhythm
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One private lesson each week (starting at 45 minutes)—just you and your teacher, building skills at exactly your pace. Focus on beautiful tone, musical expression, and technical development tailored to your goals.
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Group classes—where community connection happens:
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Starting at once monthly Saturdays with ensemble skills and musical collaboration
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Theory classes when ready
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Accompanying and chord by ear — learning to hear and accompany melody lines without music
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Performance preparation for group concerts and events in a supportive environment
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Connection with other piano families in the Scotia Suzuki community
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Everything's Included
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✓ 36 individual private lessons throughout the year (45 minutes each)
✓ 10 group classes and community events
✓ Multiple performance opportunities and celebrations
✓ Parent and student guidance with practice support
✓ Theory classes included for accelerated learning when ready
✓ Our unique Practice Binder system
GETTING STARTED IS EASY!
Location: 6141 Chebucto Road with 37 parking spots right behind the building
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Scheduling: We'll find a weekly lesson time that works for both your family and your teacher, or put you on a wait list until we can find one.
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Group Classes: Twice monthly Saturdays for community connection, motivation and peer learning with other Scotia Suzuki families.
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Next step: Click HERE and let's chat about which program feels right for your child
SIMPLE INVESTMENT:
Teen Experienced Piano Program: starting at $257.30/month (includes your starting monthly group classes and 45-minute lessons) Pay in easy 10 monthly installments—consistent on your budget, simple to say yes.
What's Included: 36 private lessons (45 minutes each) PLUS 10 group classes and events throughout the year. Multiple performance opportunities. Theory classes included when ready. Everything you need to succeed.
"Going from student to teacher at SSSM showed me the incredible progression possible here. Christy's patient guidance created an environment where I could grow not just as a musician, but as an educator. The supportive community and positive culture have shaped how I want to lead and teach violin."​
— Lydia Lee, Former Student & now Suzuki Teacher in Calgary
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING ABOUT
"Will the Suzuki method conflict with my teen's current piano training?" Not at all! We build on what your teen already knows while introducing the wonderful ear-first approach in addition. Our students combine both methods beautifully. It’s incredible how fast and easily they learn!
"Will this interfere with academics and other commitments?" Music actually enhances academic performance! One weekly 45-minute lesson plus starting at one Saturday class per month. We keep practice efficient and age-appropriate. Because we learn by ear as a base it helps develop their memory which is an incredible skill that supports them in their academics.
"What if my teen loses interest?" That's why we offer our 6-week guarantee. Plus, we have many approaches to keep teens engaged—performance opportunities, leadership roles, theory classes, accompanying training, and connection with other motivated teens.
"Is it really worth the investment for an experienced student?" You're receiving 36 private lessons (45 minutes each) plus 10 group events plus theory classes—that's 46+ total learning experiences, plus performance opportunities and community events. This comprehensive approach builds skills for life, not just music.
"Will my teen really benefit from starting the Suzuki method now?" Absolutely! Within 6 months, your teen will have enhanced their existing skills with ear-first learning. The combination of their current knowledge and our approach creates accelerated progress and deeper musical joy.
"What about flexibility for busy teen schedules?" We understand teen life is complex! Our "pay it forward" program allows swapping with other families when needed or donating to families in need. We work with families to ensure you get full value from your investment.
READY TO BEGIN?
Your teen is ready. Your family is ready.
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Here's what you're getting:
✓ 36 individual private lessons with exceptional teachers
✓ 10 group classes and community events
✓ Theory classes included for accelerated learning when ready
✓ Multiple performance opportunities to build confidence
✓ Unique accompanying by ear training
✓ Youth leadership program opportunities when ready
✓ Grade 12 NS high school credit program application when appropriate
✓ Scotia Suzuki Practice Binder system
✓ Supportive Scotia Suzuki community
✓ Convenient parking - 37 spaces!
✓ Easy monthly billing
✓ Our confidence-building guarantee
PS:
Still have questions? Reach out—we'd love to chat about how this beautiful musical journey can unfold for your unique teen and family.
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