Children’s music lessons in Knoxville
Knoxville Suzuki Academy provides violin, viola, cello, and piano instruction guided by the philosophy of Shinichi Suzuki. Each child’s lessons are a collaboration between teacher, parent, and child—nurturing, encouraging, and disciplined.
Why choose KSA?
Directed by Drs. Wesley Baldwin and Geoffrey Herd, Knoxville Suzuki Academy brings together many of Knoxville’s outstanding musicians and Suzuki teachers.
Our mission is to provide excellent musical instruction inspired and guided by the philosophies and approaches popularized by Shinichi Suzuki. We pursue excellence in teaching while keeping the atmosphere positive, patient, and responsive to the child.
Instrument lessons
Students learn through weekly lessons, daily listening and practice, group classes, and performances.
Often begins at age 3–5Violins come in fractional sizes, allowing young children to learn on an instrument that fits them properly.
Young beginners and advancing string playersYoung students may begin directly on viola or move to it after starting violin. Either path can work well.
Often begins at age 3–5Cellos come in fractional sizes, so even a small child can learn comfortably on an instrument fitted to them.
Often begins at age 3–5Children hear and know their first pieces before playing them, following the same sequence they use to learn language.
The Suzuki Method
Children learn to speak through listening, repetition, gentle coaching, and encouragement. Suzuki applies those same pathways to the study of an instrument.
Parents attend lessons, take notes, and help at home. Students listen daily, review familiar music, and learn with others in group classes and performances. Small steps are repeated until they become fluent.
Meet the faculty
KSA brings together many of Knoxville’s outstanding musicians and Suzuki teachers.
Violinist Geoffrey Herd has performed throughout the United States, Latin America, and Asia. A sought-after recitalist and chamber musician, he has appeared at venues including Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Lessons with Geoffrey Herd follow KSA’s director tuition rate.
Read biography
Cellist Wesley Baldwin is a co-director of KSA and has taught young cellists for more than three decades. He is Professor of Cello at the University of Tennessee and the founder and director of the Tennessee Cello Workshop.
Lessons with Wesley Baldwin follow KSA’s director tuition rate.
Read biographyRecitals and community
Recitals bring beginners, intermediate students, and experienced performers together. Younger students are inspired; older students encourage and support them.
News and family resources
Academy news can be public. Practice guidance and private family writing are shared securely with current KSA families.
What do you get when 10 cellists, 1 violist, 9 violinists and two instructors get together on a Clinch Avenue stage in the middle of downtown Knoxville? — You get beautiful music at Knoxv…
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First United Methodist Church (First Church Knox) was the scene of four splendid piano, violin, viola and cello recitals on May 9 and 16. Some students made their debut performance, some…
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