A five day Suzuki violin institute in Vienna, Austria
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in Violin Garden Summer Academy!
We are undergoing some exciting changes that are taking longer than planned. As soon as the next Academy is set we will be updating the website with all relevant information. If you wish to be notified via email, pls send us an email to summeracademy@violingarden.com
Thank you for your patience, and the Violin Garden Summer Academy Team looks forward to welcoming you to a magical week in Vienna!
We believe that when children receive a solid musical education, in a beautiful and nurturing environment, while having a great time, anything is possible! Our program offers intense and challenging group classes with our finest Suzuki teachers and world renowned accompanists, balanced with diverse and structured activities in the palace gardens. We believe that music has the power to cultivate a noble spirit in children and that perhaps indeed it is music that will save the world.
Growing together – with and through music – is a gift that we at Violin Garden Summer Academy love to pass on!
Shinichi Suzuki
“Children can play very well.We must try to make them splendid in heart and mind also.”
Program
Developing Body, Mind and Spirit
Body
When the body is healthy and feeling good, anything is possible! Ample exercise and playtime in the beautiful and spacious gardens of Schloss Miller-Aichholz provides the children with plenty of time to make friends as well as exerting and relaxing their bodies and minds, returning refreshed to the next class. Each group goes into the gardens once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
Mind
Focused group classes with our Suzuki teachers allow the children to work on improving their technique, applying it to their Suzuki repertoire, refining their tone, increasing their listening skills as well as learning new pieces. Each group gets a minimum of four group classes per day and a program is prepared for the final concert on the last day.
Spirit
Each day begins with a circle where we settle in, greet each other, calm our minds, warm up our bodies and set common intentions and values for the day. A short meditation sets the foundation for a positive mindset. Learning how to maintain a healthy body and mind are necessary skills in our rapidly changing world.
What the parents say:
Amazing teachers, child centered program, great summer Academy experience all around! My kids loved playing as part of the ensemble, created friendships and improved their violin practice greatly. This summer camp was inspirational and we are very keen to return again!
– Olga E. mother of 3 participating children
“Our daughter had a great time and the teachers were really mindful with the kids. The final concert was really grand – we highly recommend it!”
– Edmundo S. father of a 10 year old
Participating in the Violin Garden Summer Academy Vienna was a highly satisfying and motivating experience for our daughter. The mixture of intensive practising, varying leisure activities and different performance opportunities – together with old and newly made friends – was unique! She simply loved it!
-Doris F. mother of a 10 year old
FAQ
The Schedule
Monday: 9.00: Opening Ceremony: Parents welcome!
Mon- Thursday: Academy begins at 9.00 and ends at 17.00 every day!
Each group has a minimum of 4 group classes, depending on age and level
Each group has a minimum of 1 hour in the garden each day in addition to the lunch hour
Friday: EXTENDED until 17.00!
9.00 – 17.00: Dress rehearsals and Concert at 15.00!
Detailed schedule will be sent to you closer to the start of the Academy!
Disclaimer: the schedule can be subject to minimal changes
Curriculum
The curriculum will cover Suzuki books 1-7 as well as additional repertoire that will be ready for download shortly.
Individual Classes
Individual classes can be had upon request via email:
summeracademy@violingarden.com by June 1st before the start of the Academy
The classes are charged in addition to the course fee
Language of Instruction
German and English
Food
Snacks for the children will be provided for, but all children should bring their own water bottles.
Lunch is not included in the participant fee
Parents Presence at the Academy
The presence of a parent at the Academy site (campus of Palace Miller-Aichholz and Europahaus) is normally highly recommended, especially for the younger participants. However, due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and the constantly changing regulations, we cannot guarantee enough space in the rooms for the parents to listen in on the classes. Hence, we kindly ask for your understanding that we may not be able to accommodate parents of children over 6 years of age.
Please note that for participants under 6 years of age, or for any participants with special needs or requiring increased supervision, the presence of a parent is obligatory at all times. Requests for parental absence presence can be discussed with staff on individual basis, however parents retain the responsibility for their children throughout the duration of the Academy.
The Administration reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to require the presence of any parent on site.
Who can participate?
Any child and adolescent trained in the Suzuki Method on the violin (ages three and upwards).
Parent Workshop
The Academy is very excited about this workshop which has been especially designed by our leadership expert and violinist Michael Gutiérrez! See the information below for „Coach the Coach“ program! Limited spaces available.
!This wonderful workshop has been postponed, but we look forward to sharing this with you next year!
Parent Workshop
“Coach the Coach”
This compact half-day workshop will provide Parents with a “tool kit” to increase their effectiveness in their role as musical coach to their child. A child’s musical and personal development are influenced greatly by the awareness and skill with which the parent approaches their role as their child’s “coach”. Experienced leadership development and communications skills trainer, and violinist, Michael Gutierrez will introduce useful tools and methodologies combined with engaging exercises to deliver and fun and impactful workshop experience for parents seeking to improve their coaching skills. Workshop content will include:
Emotional Intelligence:
A framework for understanding and managing your own emotions as well as your child’s
Mindset:
How to establish a relationship and environment for optimized learning and performance
Communication Skills:
Feedback & Directions: how to deliver effective feedback and instructions without resorting to authority
Active Listening: an effective methodology for listening to your child’s input