Welcome!
At my home studio in Glenside, PA, I welcome students of all ages and skill levels, from young beginners to advanced musicians. While I specialize in the Suzuki method, which focuses on children ages 3 to 9, I also work with advanced students who are ready to take on more challenging repertoire. For these students, we focus on refining technique and deepening musical expression.
Many of my students have participated in regional and national competitions, winning over 50 prizes. Whether you’re just starting out or already an accomplished player, my goal is to foster a love for music while helping students develop essential life skills that extend far beyond the guitar.
This page outlines the core expectations and policies for families enrolled in Dr. Ben’s Guitar Academy. Please read carefully, these guidelines help ensure every student has the best experience possible.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Student and Parent Commitment
Suzuki study is a team effort. A successful studio experience depends on three essential ingredients: the student, the teacher, and the home coach (usually a parent) working together consistently.
I ask families to:
• Attend all weekly lessons and be fully present during each one.
• Listen to the Suzuki recording daily (this will either be the CD or digital materials provided by Dr. Ben). Listening is vital to building musical fluency and memory.
• Practice every day (even just a little). As Dr. Suzuki said, “Practice only on the days you eat.”
• Take notes during lessons and help your child follow up during the week.
I know life gets busy. These expectations are goals, but in my experience, students who follow them progress more quickly and have more fun.
Lesson Format and Location
• Each student receives one private lesson per week. These work best when they are the same day and time each week, so kids get used to the routine. If you need to change your lesson time, let us know, and we’ll work with you to find a new lesson time.
• Beginner lessons are 30 minutes, with 15-minute lessons available for young children.
• Advanced students move up to 45-minute or hour-long lessons.
• Students must arrive on time with all necessary materials and a well-maintained instrument.
• Lessons take place at my home studio, conveniently located in Glenside, PA, with easy parking and close proximity to the SEPTA station.
• Lessons are available Monday-Friday from 10 am-8 pm, with additional times upon request.
• I offer a free trial lesson so we can meet, discuss your goals, and get started on your musical journey
Group Class (Coming Soon!)
Group classes are a cornerstone of the Suzuki method. They allow students to:
• Build confidence in a supportive setting
• Reinforce material from private lessons
• Make friends and enjoy music together
Although group classes are not yet active at this studio, they will begin in the near future. All Suzuki students will eventually participate in both weekly private lessons and weekly or bi-weekly group classes. I’ll keep you informed well in advance as group class programming launches.
Tuition and Missed Lessons
Tuition is billed monthly and is due at the first lesson of each month. Invoices will be sent via email or the My Music Staff app.
If you need to cancel a lesson, you must provide at least 24 hours’ notice to receive a makeup lesson or account credit. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice are not eligible for a makeup lesson or credit.
If your child is sick, please do not attend in person and notify me as early as possible. Makeup lessons may be offered at my discretion, depending on availability. In most cases, a Zoom lesson can be used as an alternative.
If I ever need to cancel a lesson, I will always offer a makeup or issue a refund.
Performances
Performance opportunities are scheduled throughout the year as a chance to share your hard work with family and friends, as well as to hear your studio mates play. As performing is a vital part of a guitarist’s education, attendance & involvement in recitals and rehearsals are required for all major studio recitals. Smaller, informal performance opportunities, such as play-ins and Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association (GPSA) events, may be offered and are optional.
Performance Attire:
Unless otherwise specified, students will be required to wear dark gray or black skirts or slacks, along with a white dress shirt or blouse, to all public performances and recitals. Typically, the “Call” time for all recitals and public performances is 20-30 minutes before the scheduled start time, allowing ample time to warm up, tune, and be ready to perform.
FAQ
Lesson tuition is $50 per 30-minute lesson, or $75 for 45-minute lessons. Monthly payments requested (pro-rated for partial months).
Suzuki group class fees will be announced once the class is up and running, but all students in the Suzuki program will eventually participate in both private and group lessons each week.”
For you or your child, you need to get the correct size classical nylon-string guitar. It is common for the sales associates in music stores to recommend guitars that are too big for your child.
Please do not get a guitar until you speak to me. You won’t need a guitar for the first lesson, and I can help you get the right size during that time. I often start with parent lessons with very young children, so you can buy a cheap classical nylon-string guitar for yourself or use your child’s.
Additionally, I may have parents selling quality used guitars that their child has outgrown for a discounted rate.
I do not recommend left-handed guitars for left-handed people. It is unnecessary and cumbersome, as both hands have equal demands, and therefore will not make your life easier.
I offer traditional classical guitar lessons for pre-teens, teens, and adults.
A typical classical guitar lesson consists of technique (scales, arpeggios, tremolo, slurs), sight-reading, new pieces to learn, and old pieces to review and polish.
Students may also want to learn music theory applied to the guitar. I will customize a plan of study based on your personal needs, desired goals, and practice availability.