The Suzuki method is the idea that all children can develop the skill to express themselves through music. At the Suzuki School of Music we want to nurture beautiful character in every child through excellence in music. This program will utilize key Suzuki principles of parental involvement, starting children at an early age, frequent listening of music, repetition, encouragement, learning with other children, grades repertoire, and delayed reading.
This Suzuki School of Music will be taught by a team of Suzuki trained faculty that offering instruction on violin, viola, and cello instruments. Students will receive weekly lessons and group classes and given numerous performance opportunities in recitals and group concerts. Students of all ages are welcome to apply, age 4 and older is recommended.
How do I know if my child is ready?
-Does my child show interest in music and musical instruments?
-Can families commit to regular attendance at lessons and classes?
-Can families set aside regular practice time and daily listening?
-Are families willing to purchase or rent a decent, properly sized instrument?
Suzuki School details:
Lesson length:
30 minute lessons $1596 or $133 monthly
45 minute lessons $2100 or $175 monthly
60 minute lessons $2592 or $216 monthly
Annual tuition includes:
• Private lessons according to Academic Calendar
• Group classes according to Academic Calendar
• Solo recitals with accompanist
• Annual all-school concert
• Community performances and outings
• Parent education & support, practice tips, review ideas
Additional Costs outside of Annual Tuition
• Instrument rental and repair
• Music repertoire books and supplemental materials
Payment Processing
•New students have a one time registration fee of $50.
• Tuition payment options: Pay In Full, or Recurring Monthly Payments.
•The monthly payments are considered installments, they don't exactly reflect the actual number of lessons taken during that time period. Because we are based on an annual tuition, students are not allowed to opt out of summer lessons. Families can expect more flexibility and a lighter schedule in the summer.
• Monthly Tuition Payments will only be accepted by recurring payments through credit or debit cards. Payments will be processed by YMI administration, on the 15th of each month, August 2020 – July 2021.
• Pay In Full: Families paying in full may submit a check, payable to Youth Music Illinois by August 15, 2020.
• Any payment more than 2 weeks late, will result in suspension of private lessons and group classes/ensembles until the payment is resolved.
Group Classes:
Group classes will be held at the Life Together Center in Peoria.
Violin A: Thursdays, 5:30-6:10
Violin B: Thursdays, 5:50-6:30
Cello: Friday, 5:30-6:10
Individual and group lessons will also be available for students of Peoria Academy on location, if they so choose.
Questions? Please contact: Suzuki School Director, Laura Otto at SuzukiDirector@CIYS.org
For more information on the Suzuki Method visit www.suzukiassociation.org
This Suzuki School of Music will be taught by a team of Suzuki trained faculty that offering instruction on violin, viola, and cello instruments. Students will receive weekly lessons and group classes and given numerous performance opportunities in recitals and group concerts. Students of all ages are welcome to apply, age 4 and older is recommended.
How do I know if my child is ready?
-Does my child show interest in music and musical instruments?
-Can families commit to regular attendance at lessons and classes?
-Can families set aside regular practice time and daily listening?
-Are families willing to purchase or rent a decent, properly sized instrument?
Suzuki School details:
Lesson length:
30 minute lessons $1596 or $133 monthly
45 minute lessons $2100 or $175 monthly
60 minute lessons $2592 or $216 monthly
Annual tuition includes:
• Private lessons according to Academic Calendar
• Group classes according to Academic Calendar
• Solo recitals with accompanist
• Annual all-school concert
• Community performances and outings
• Parent education & support, practice tips, review ideas
Additional Costs outside of Annual Tuition
• Instrument rental and repair
• Music repertoire books and supplemental materials
Payment Processing
•New students have a one time registration fee of $50.
• Tuition payment options: Pay In Full, or Recurring Monthly Payments.
•The monthly payments are considered installments, they don't exactly reflect the actual number of lessons taken during that time period. Because we are based on an annual tuition, students are not allowed to opt out of summer lessons. Families can expect more flexibility and a lighter schedule in the summer.
• Monthly Tuition Payments will only be accepted by recurring payments through credit or debit cards. Payments will be processed by YMI administration, on the 15th of each month, August 2020 – July 2021.
• Pay In Full: Families paying in full may submit a check, payable to Youth Music Illinois by August 15, 2020.
• Any payment more than 2 weeks late, will result in suspension of private lessons and group classes/ensembles until the payment is resolved.
Group Classes:
Group classes will be held at the Life Together Center in Peoria.
Violin A: Thursdays, 5:30-6:10
Violin B: Thursdays, 5:50-6:30
Cello: Friday, 5:30-6:10
Individual and group lessons will also be available for students of Peoria Academy on location, if they so choose.
Questions? Please contact: Suzuki School Director, Laura Otto at SuzukiDirector@CIYS.org
For more information on the Suzuki Method visit www.suzukiassociation.org
Laura Otto, Suzuki School Director
Laura is the Director of the YMI Suzuki School of Music in Peoria, Illinois. She has been
teaching violin lessons in the Peoria area for nearly 20 years and directs the Dolce String
Ensemble at Youth Music Illinois. In addition, she also directs the 5th-8th grade orchestra at
Peoria Academy. A member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), Laura has
received training at the American Suzuki Institute, Chicago Suzuki Institute, and the Colorado
Suzuki Institute.
Laura studied violin performance at Bradley University and Illinois State University, studying
with Marcia Henry Liebenow and Sarah Gentry. She was the winner of the Bradley
Concerto-Aria Competition and recipient of the prestigious Presser Scholar Award. She has
performed with the Bradley Symphony Orchestra (concertmaster), Peoria Symphony
Orchestra, Heartland Festival Orchestra, Opera Illinois Orchestra, Aria International Music
Academy, Nebraska Chamber Music Institute, and Domaine Forget International Music
Academy. She enjoys freelancing with her string quartet, Heart Strings,throughout the Central
Illinois area.
Laura and her husband, Ryan, live in Congerville with their four children who are all young
musicians studying the violin, cello, French horn, percussion and piano; they also enjoy
serving at their church, working in their yard, and traveling to Montana.
Laura is the Director of the YMI Suzuki School of Music in Peoria, Illinois. She has been
teaching violin lessons in the Peoria area for nearly 20 years and directs the Dolce String
Ensemble at Youth Music Illinois. In addition, she also directs the 5th-8th grade orchestra at
Peoria Academy. A member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), Laura has
received training at the American Suzuki Institute, Chicago Suzuki Institute, and the Colorado
Suzuki Institute.
Laura studied violin performance at Bradley University and Illinois State University, studying
with Marcia Henry Liebenow and Sarah Gentry. She was the winner of the Bradley
Concerto-Aria Competition and recipient of the prestigious Presser Scholar Award. She has
performed with the Bradley Symphony Orchestra (concertmaster), Peoria Symphony
Orchestra, Heartland Festival Orchestra, Opera Illinois Orchestra, Aria International Music
Academy, Nebraska Chamber Music Institute, and Domaine Forget International Music
Academy. She enjoys freelancing with her string quartet, Heart Strings,throughout the Central
Illinois area.
Laura and her husband, Ryan, live in Congerville with their four children who are all young
musicians studying the violin, cello, French horn, percussion and piano; they also enjoy
serving at their church, working in their yard, and traveling to Montana.
Courtney Silver, Violin
A native of Peoria, IL, Courtney Silver plays professionally with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Composer’s Orchestra. She received teacher training from the Suzuki Association of the Americas in 2019.
Ms. Silver began playing the violin at age 6 with the Suzuki Method. While growing up, Ms. Silver was a member of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony, where she was concertmaster for 2 years, and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, where she was the recipient of the prestigious Mollendorf Award. At age 15, she won the Peoria Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition and subsequently made her debut soloing with the Peoria Symphony.
Ms. Silver is a graduate of Rice University in Houston, Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Rice’s Shepherd School of Music. Ms. Silver completed her Master’s degree in violin performance at DePaul University in Chicago Illinois, where she studied with renowned violinist, Ilya Kaler. Her previous teachers include Marcia Henry Liebenow, Gerardo Ribeiro, Kathleen Winkler, and Eric Halen.
A native of Peoria, IL, Courtney Silver plays professionally with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Composer’s Orchestra. She received teacher training from the Suzuki Association of the Americas in 2019.
Ms. Silver began playing the violin at age 6 with the Suzuki Method. While growing up, Ms. Silver was a member of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony, where she was concertmaster for 2 years, and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, where she was the recipient of the prestigious Mollendorf Award. At age 15, she won the Peoria Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition and subsequently made her debut soloing with the Peoria Symphony.
Ms. Silver is a graduate of Rice University in Houston, Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Rice’s Shepherd School of Music. Ms. Silver completed her Master’s degree in violin performance at DePaul University in Chicago Illinois, where she studied with renowned violinist, Ilya Kaler. Her previous teachers include Marcia Henry Liebenow, Gerardo Ribeiro, Kathleen Winkler, and Eric Halen.
Molly Wilson-Nogaj, Violin/Viola
Molly Wilson-Nogaj’s passion for educating young musicians is the driving force behind her career. Her warm and gracious personality combined with a drive for excellence has led her students to many personal and musical victories. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and is devoted to enriching the lives of families through music.
Molly is a product of the thriving arts community of Central Illinois. She grew up in Peoria, Illinois and is a proud alumna of YMI and Bradley University where she obtained her B.M. degree studying with Marcia Henry Liebenow. Molly is a violinist in the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a soloist with the YMI Youth Symphony, Bradley Symphony Orchestra, Bradley Symphonic Winds, and Peoria Municipal Band.
Molly obtained her M.M. degree at DePaul University School of Music where she studied with violinists Janet Sung, Ann Setzer, and Carolyn Stewart. Before moving to Chicago for graduate school, Molly taught a studio of 25 violin and viola students at Kidder Music and in her own private studio which she founded in 2012. While studying at DePaul University School of Music, Molly completed training in Suzuki Books 1-4 and Every Child Can with Teacher Trainer Rolando Freitag. Molly is excited to return to Central Illinois with newfound knowledge and passion for the Suzuki method.
Molly Wilson-Nogaj’s passion for educating young musicians is the driving force behind her career. Her warm and gracious personality combined with a drive for excellence has led her students to many personal and musical victories. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and is devoted to enriching the lives of families through music.
Molly is a product of the thriving arts community of Central Illinois. She grew up in Peoria, Illinois and is a proud alumna of YMI and Bradley University where she obtained her B.M. degree studying with Marcia Henry Liebenow. Molly is a violinist in the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a soloist with the YMI Youth Symphony, Bradley Symphony Orchestra, Bradley Symphonic Winds, and Peoria Municipal Band.
Molly obtained her M.M. degree at DePaul University School of Music where she studied with violinists Janet Sung, Ann Setzer, and Carolyn Stewart. Before moving to Chicago for graduate school, Molly taught a studio of 25 violin and viola students at Kidder Music and in her own private studio which she founded in 2012. While studying at DePaul University School of Music, Molly completed training in Suzuki Books 1-4 and Every Child Can with Teacher Trainer Rolando Freitag. Molly is excited to return to Central Illinois with newfound knowledge and passion for the Suzuki method.
Kayla Schoeny, Cello
An Illinois native cellist, Kayla Schoeny has received both a Bachelor of Music Performance and a Masters of Music in String Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois. Her Masters studies have included extensive research into early childhood string pedagogy and developmental psychology. Ms. Schoeny continues to perform throughout the Mid-west and participate in competitions and festivals throughout the country. This has included residencies with the Texas Music Festival orchestral program, a season in the Ad Astra Music Festival residency string quartet, and she received University of Illinois Smith Competition Award. Ms. Schoeny continues to study under Dmitry Kouzov and Daniel McDonough. Outside of the cello, she also enjoys playing viola and piano with her students.
An Illinois native cellist, Kayla Schoeny has received both a Bachelor of Music Performance and a Masters of Music in String Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois. Her Masters studies have included extensive research into early childhood string pedagogy and developmental psychology. Ms. Schoeny continues to perform throughout the Mid-west and participate in competitions and festivals throughout the country. This has included residencies with the Texas Music Festival orchestral program, a season in the Ad Astra Music Festival residency string quartet, and she received University of Illinois Smith Competition Award. Ms. Schoeny continues to study under Dmitry Kouzov and Daniel McDonough. Outside of the cello, she also enjoys playing viola and piano with her students.