Frequently Asked Questions

2025-2026 SESSION: AUGUST 25-MAY 16
(EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: Register by August 11 and receive 50% off the registration fee!)

ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE:For all new and returning students
$50 per student
$150 per family of three or more students

TUITION:  
Tuition listed below for 30-, 45-, and 60-minute lessons includes the following—

• 28 weeks of individual lessons

• 13 Group Lessons

• Stage Days and other group performances
  
  

  Group learning experiences are integral to your student’s study.  (They are not separate optional activities or fees.)
  
  

  The total tuition is divided into nine equal monthly payments. 
  Not every month has the same number of lessons due to holidays.
  
  Siblings receive a 5% Sibling Discount.

30-Minute Lessons…………….$145 monthly ($1305 annually)
45-Minute Lessons…...……….$194 monthly ($1746 annually)
60-Minute Lessons…………...$242 monthly ($2178 annually)

PIANO ACCOMPANIST FEE:  

• $25 for a solo performed on an SAOW program, such as an SAOW Spring Solo Recital.  The fee includes a rehearsal and a performance.  This fee is added to a family’s account when a student signs up for a rehearsal and performance time with piano accompaniment.
  

• For a Book Graduation Recital or any other special solo performance outside the regular SAOW schedule, the fee is determined by the accompanist and paid directly to the accompanist by the performer’s family.

ADDITIONAL CLASSES
(Please confer with your child’s teacher before enrolling.)
Siblings receive a 5% Sibling Discount.

The following classes meet on group lesson Fridays. (Please see Calendar.) 

Beginning Early Readers…………………..........$35 monthly ($315 annually)*
Advanced Early Readers…………………..……..$37 monthly ($333 annually)*
Music Theory & Ensemble Reading…...$37 monthly ($333 annually)*

Chamber Music (options listed below):
1) Both Fall & Spring Semesters
11 coachings……………………………………….….$36 monthly ($324 annually)*

  2) Fall Semester ONLY
5 coachings…………………………….…..$37.50 monthly ($150 total for fall)*
  (monthly:  September-December payments)

  3) Spring Semester ONLY
6 coachings………………………….…...$36 monthly ($180 total for spring)*
‍ ‍(monthly:  January-May payments)

Chamber Music for non-SAOW students:  Any Chamber Music option
above plus $25 Registration Fee

*Jackrabbit (our online payment system) works best with regular equal monthly payments.  However, you may pay in full.  Please contact Amanda Schubert if you wish to pay in full:  suzukiacademyofwaco@gmail.com)

Make-up Lesson Policy Reminder:
There will be no make-up lessons unless the teacher is at fault for missing.  However, lessons may be rescheduled if it makes sense for the teacher and family.  

A few weeks throughout the 2025-2026 Session are designated as “Make-up Lesson Weeks,” which might be helpful if you and your teacher need to schedule any make-ups.

Make listening to great classical music a part of your home environment. Play the Suzuki CDs or digital recordings for your child every day. Parents, read Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki. After reading Nurtured by Love, please contact Amanda Schubert again to schedule a meeting for you, your child, and teacher, before starting lessons. (suzukiacademyofwaco@gmail.com)

After contacting SAOW, reading Nurtured by Love, and discussing the method in an initial meeting, the parent education continues throughout study, guided by the teacher. The parent attends each lesson and is guided in home practice.

Yes! Over the long term, as the child progresses and learns how to practice, he becomes more independent. Your teacher will guide you through this process. But even as students become independent in practice, parents remain supportive by attending lessons and performances, and by maintaining a positive environment.