A five day Suzuki violin institute from July 6th-10th, 2026 in Vienna, Austria
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in Violin Garden Summer Academy!
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:
„Participating at The Violin Garden Summer Academy has been a truly unforgettable experience for our daughter. The good vibes are still spreading! Great passion for music, intensive practice, first-class teachers and the appreciation for each other’s progress make this place unique. Thank you for creating this time and space of motivation and joy for many young musicians!”
– Daniela P. mother of a 7 year old
“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: 9.00-10.00: Registration and Opening Ceremony for the entire family
Mon- Thursday: Academy begins at 9.00 and ends at 16.00 or 17.00 every day depending on the group your child is in
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: 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
Who can attend the Violin Garden Summer Academy?
Any violin student between 4-18 years old who is currently studying with a certified Suzuki violin teacher and has the minimum required level
of the Etude in Suzuki Book 1 along with the G-major scale over two octaves.
Can adult learners attend the Academy?
The Academy can only accommodate a maximum of 50 participants, so unfortunately we cannot offer any classes for adult learners.
Language of Instruction
German and English
Curriculum
The curriculum will cover Suzuki books 1-10 as well as additional repertoire that will be ready for download shortly.
How to prepare for the Violin Garden Summer Academy?
Students should review the Suzuki Repertoire List up to their current playing level by memory.
All students will recieve sheet music by May 15th that should be completely learned by the first day of the Academy.
Please ask your home teacher for support on this.
Food
A big lunch with Soup/Salad, Main Course and Dessert is included in the participant fee.
Snacks for the children will be provided for, but all children should bring their own water bottles.
Lunch for parents is NOT included in the participants fee. If you are staying with your child/children during the Academy, you can join us for lunch at the restaurant, but you need to book this separately. The cost for one adult is 40€ per day.
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.
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.
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 Workshop will come back in 2027!
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